Typical Science and Technology Topics
In its series ‘‘Sharing Science with Children: A Survival Guide for Scientists and Engineers, ” the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science offers the following as potential themes for teaching elementary aged students:
| Kindergarten | First & Second | Third & Fourth | Fifth & Sixth | |
| Animals | Many kindsHave different coverings
Eat different kinds of food |
Are alike and differentMove and grow
Different homes Different sounds |
Adaptations to the environmentDefense mechanisms
Helpful and harmful animals |
Animal classificationSelective breeding
Interaction with the environment Balance of nature |
| Plants | Many kindsGrow in different places
Vegetables and fruits |
Characteristics of plantsCollecting parts of plants
Seeds become plants Uses of plants Prehistoric plants |
Classification of plantsEffects of soil, water, air, and light on growth
Conservation |
Parts and functionsLife processes
Plant movements Adaption |
| Weather | Days can be sunny, cloudy, rainy, and snowyFour seasons | Air occupies space, has weightAtmosphere
Air has pressure Wind is moving air |
Effect of sun on earthTemperature and thermometers | Evaporation and condensationPrecipitation
Air masses Forecasting and instruments Factors affecting climate |
| Physical & Chemical Properties | Things have colors, sizes, shapesClassifying objects
Hot and cold Serial ordering |
States of matterDifferent types of matter
Dissolving Movement of things in air, water Sinking and floating |
Expansion and contractionHeat
Fuels Producing sound Music |
AtomsChemicals
Mixtures and compounds Matter and energy Sources of energy Reflection/refraction Lenses |
| Electricity Magnetism | Sources of electricityUses of electricity
Safety |
MagnetsSimple compass
Uses of magnets |
Static electricityNature of electricity
Simple circuit Batteries Series and parallel circuits Safety |
|
| Earth & Space Science | MoonDay and nightWaterSoil | Sun, moon, earthStarsDay and night | Heat and LightSeasons
Day, night, year Tides and eclipses Solar system Gravity, inertia and orbit Comets, meteors and meteorites Space exploration |
EcologyPollution
Recycling Constellations Space travel Flight Oceans Water cycle Properties of water |
[Reprinted with permission]
“Typical Science and Technology Topics,” The Docent Educator 3.1 (Autumn 1993): 15.