Exploring Curiosity: JS Science Highlights & Grade 7 Science Fair

By Ms. Kathryn Ovenell-Carter, Head of Science, Junior School 

Back in September, grade 4 students read the book Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beatty. In the book, young Ada is constantly asking questions: How? What? Why? What if? Our students discuss how Ada shows us what it means to think like a scientist. They quickly realize that her insatiable curiosity is a key feature of scientific thinking. 

In WPGA’s junior science program, teachers work to foster students’ curiosity about the natural world. In the early years, teachers encourage students’ natural tendency to ask dozens of questions about the things they observe out in the world. For example, JK students have investigated the insects observed in their garden and the needs of their class pets. In grade 1, students visited Grouse Mountain to inquire about local animals. Meanwhile in grade 3, students considered how to adapt a local park for sustainability and climate resiliency.

In grade 2, another excellent book (Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros) revealed another key aspect of scientific thinking: the importance of developing and revising a testable hypothesis to help solve problems or answer questions. 

Learning to use the scientific method to probe those curious questions is an important skill developed in the intermediate years. For example, grade 5 students conduct experiments to understand how force and mass affect the speed and motion of toy cars. In grades 4 to 7, students learn how an hypothesis is more than a guess, what experimental variables are, and why it is important to control them in order to design a fair test.

Every year, all this learning culminates in the annual Grade 7 Science Fair, held February 21 in the Learning Commons. The 42 projects on display highlighted the range of students' curiosities about the world, from sports, environmental concerns, optimal conditions for studying, applications of AI technology, and so much more.

As always, the students impressed their audience with the confidence with which they presented their work and the scientific thinking they demonstrated. Students were able to not only explain their experimental design choice but also critically reflect on possible sources of experimental error and suggest improvements for future studies. We are so proud of how the grade 7 students brought together their natural curiosity with their years of science learning to design thoughtful investigations!