Our School Mascot - Casey the Cardinal Science 

Cunningham Park Elementary School

Cunningham Park students continuously explore and expand their knowledge of science.  From kindergarten to sixth grade, all students use hands-on activities and observations to learn and understand how the world works.   Through the investigation of the physical world, space, life, and earth, students are empowered to grow.  Each of their scientific discoveries in the universe works in accordance with one another.

Kindergarten initiates scientific exploration through exploring our world. The students begin the year by studying colors and shapes. Later, they look at seasonal changes and the environmental characteristics of each season.  During the winter, the students dive deeper into the world around us by studying the senses. To do this, they participate in various hands-on activities.  In the spring, the students explore magnets and the different ways they are used each day.  The students end the year by studying the daily activities and life cycle of ants with their own ant farms. 


First graders use their five senses to explore various science concepts.  Weather and seasonal signs are discussed and graphed throughout the year.  During the fall, the first graders adopt a deciduous tree and observe it losing its leaves. They learn about leaves (shapes, edges, & vein structure) and are able to identify the different deciduous trees from their leaves.  During winter, evergreens are studied.   The first graders love to look at the clouds to determine the types and whether a storm is brewing.  The three states of water and the water cycle are discovered as the temperature drops and snow is falling from the clouds and melting into the streets below.  As spring blooms, light and shadows occur as the sun emerges from the breaking clouds.  The trees are blossoming and their buds/twigs can be observed on the bare branches.  Each first grader plants and grows corn and beans from seeds in May and also takes care of his/her own earthworm.  As the year winds down, dandelions are discovered in summer lawns.  The science curriculum is full of surprises throughout the cyclical patterns in nature.


The second grade science curriculum is composed of two main concepts.   The main focus in the first three quarters is "Animals and Their Environment."  One of the most exciting units is the one on crickets.   The second graders receive our six-legged friends in early October.   The students have the opportunity to observe the insects on a daily basis, recording their observations on the crickets' behavior, eating habits, and life cycle.  Next, our studies involve learning about the different kinds of animals and what is unique to each group.  Although we touch on all the different environments in the world, we focus on the two contrasting areas of the desert and the wetlands.  The students enjoy learning about all the special animals that call these two fascinating places home.  The last quarter of school is perhaps one of the favorite things in second grade.  The "Physics of Toys" unit introduces second grade students to the physical science concepts of force, motion, and energy.  Students explore these concepts using toys, LEGO Dacta building materials, and other familiar objects.  After instruction and experimentation, the students are able to demonstrate their understanding of primary physics by creating their own toys and explaining how they work.

Science is a crucial time for third graders, as they will be taking the SOL tests.  Teachers and students prepare for the tests constantly throughout the year.  Third graders also continue to enhance their knowledge of the physical world and life around us.  They raised "Painted Lady" butterflies.  This equipped them to learn the characteristics of the butterflies, their life cycle, and their relationship with the environment.

Fourth graders at Cunningham Park use the steps in the scientific method when studying the development of plants from seeds and the process of photosynthesis.  They manipulate variables and record their results.   Finally, they make conclusions based on the data.  Students use hands-on materials to study the concepts of magnetism & electricity.   Knowledge of their world is furthered through an examination of clouds and the elements of weather, including the instruments used by meteorologists.  Fourth graders study outer space and the planets.   They complete their year of scientific study with the "Simple Machines" unit.  Students construct simple and complex machines as they leam how they are applied in everyday life.

Fifth graders begin the school year by examining the concepts of light & sound.  They compare and contrast the two after using flashlights, prisms, mirrors, rulers, and Slinkies to create the wave patterns of each.  Excitement builds when the "Small Things" unit is begun.   Tiny microorganisms in pond water are examined using 100X power microscopes.  Students are amazed to see the organisms dash across the lens field!  They learn the difference between plant and animal cells by identifying the parts of each.  Students continue to use hands-on materials as they create Pangaea and study the "Continental Drift" theory.  The layers of the earth are examined and the extraordinary dynamic changes within these layers are uncovered.  The year culminates with the study of pendulums.  Students explore swing intervals based on the length of a pendulum.  Throughout all the fifth grade science units, students actively use the scientific method as they manipulate variables, record results, and come to conclusions that either support or refute their hypotheses.  In addition, students study the major constellations and the effect of the rotation of the earth on their location in space.  All current and previously learned science concepts are reviewed in order to prepare for the SOL testing in May.

Sixth graders also use the scientific process in their study of mealworms at the beginning of the year.  Students identify the stages in their development and observe their behavior in different environmental conditions.  The newest science unit, "Living Systems," includes the study of the human bones.  Students explore various aspects of the body systems and how they work together as a whole.  The states of matter are emphasized in the study of a substance called "Oobleck."   The students determine what variables contribute to the change in its state.  Finally, the sixth graders examine electrical energy.   They learn the sources of renewable and non-renewable energy, including the concept of conservation.  As in other grades levels, some aspects of space are also studied.  The teachers of Cunningham Park work hard to make this school an environment for exciting scientific growth.  Through the subject of science, students are offered many challenges.  Although these challenges are difficult at times, each one provides an opportunity for students of all grades to broaden their knowledge of the subject as well as to explore specific scientific areas of interest.  CPES' goal is to promote the development of life-long learners who are successful in science!

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This page was last updated September 7, 2008.
Site designed and maintained by Pamela Hock     mailto:pamela.hock@fcps.edu