Elementary School students are between ages 5 to 7 years and have freshly graduated from kindergarten to enter the first phase of big school. Students have longer school hours, have to wear uniforms, do homework, and follow a new regime set by the institute. In preschool years children follow a play-way approach and are introduced to various experiments, without knowing that this is the foundation for Science. In elementary school, Science is officially taught as a subject with topics to cover and a textbook to refer to. Through this Blog, we would like to share some of the Science concepts taught to elementary graders.

Physical Science:

As per definition, physical science is that branch that is concerned with the study of inanimate natural objects, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, and other related branches.

#1 Simple Machines:

Simple machines make work effortless. They are a set of devices that can bring about a change in motion and force to perform a particular task. Some examples of simple machines are; planes, levers, wedges, wheels, axles, pulleys, and screws.

#2 Gravity:

Our solar system follows an orderly structure where all planets move in their respective orbits around the sun. This systematic unison is possible due to the magic effects of Gravity. Basically, Gravity is the force that attracts the body to its center and prevents objects from flying away. There is a correlation between mass and gravity. Objects that have more mass have a higher effect of gravity. The Earth’s Gravity is due to its mass, which generates a pull and keeps us humans grounded. In-class experiments are made fun with LEGO® Education BricQ Motion set, which is available widely in GCC and other parts of the world. The Gravity Car Derby module (30-45 minutes) is perfect for children to witness how gravity has an impact on speed by preparing a ramp to push the car down the slope.

#3 Electricity:

Towns and cities are powered by electricity. What would the world be without any of it? Kids who wonder how electricity is generated and where it comes from will get their answers through the study of this topic in Science class. It is important to note that, energy is neither created nor destroyed. According to law, any form of energy can be converted into electricity and it exists in various forms. Some of the sources of energy to convert into electricity are; Natural Gas, Petroleum, Hydro Power, Nuclear Power, Solar Power, Geothermal Power, Wind Power, Biomass, etc.

#4 Magnetism:

Magnetism is a phenomenon that arises from the motion of electric charges in a magnetic field. Magnets are fascinating and catch the eye of children. We use them to separate objects available around our homes. Magnets either attract or repel things in their magnetic field. The most common experiment in Schools across Dubai and other Middle East regions is that of laying down various metallic and non-metallic objects on a mat and then using a magnet to see which ones are attracted towards the magnet and the others that repel. An electromagnet is a temporary magnet that is created to pass electricity through its metal-wired coil and it works when the electric current is turned on

#5 States of Matter:

The three states of matter are Solid, Liquid, and Gas. Students get to learn about the properties of each of them and conduct experiments to see how solids are converted into liquids and how liquids change into gas. A classic example is; when water (liquid) is boiled, it evaporates into gas and when ice is heated, it changes into water.

Life Science:

The Science that is concerned with the study of living organisms is called Life Science. There are different branches of life science and some of them are; biology, botany, biochemistry, etc. Here are some topics that come under this stream of Science.

#1 Animal:

The Animal Kingdom is vast and is divided into different buckets; mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Each animal sub-type has its own character traits and very much contributes to maintaining a balance in the biodiversity of our planet. Students in elementary grade learn about the body parts of animals, their habitat, food consumption patterns, and the role they play. Different topographies attract different types of animals, for example, animals who survive in the sunny deserts of the UAE cannot thrive in cold regions of the Arctic.

#2 Humans:

The anatomy of the human body is complex comprising of the circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, respiratory system, reproductive system, and the skeleton. In order to live a healthy lifestyle, it is important for all organs to function optimally and produce energy for us to carry out day-to-day activities. Through this module, students will also come to realize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Besides the above curriculum, students also learn about plants, and insects, and study the components of Earth and Planets, as a part of their STEAM syllabus.