Elementary Science

The elementary science program in Pinellas County Schools is designed to provide a quality science program for all students. The ability to think scientifically is a skill our students will need every day of their lives. Scientific thinking skills have become essential survival skills for all Americans. Science understanding and ability also enhances the capability of all students to hold meaningful and productive jobs in the future. 

The elementary science program uses the 5E Instructional Science Model, which includes a comprehensive alignment to the Florida State Academic Standards. The 5E Science Instructional Model integrates opportunities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and content literacy aligned activities within each 5E lesson.

The elementary science department continues to provide teachers and students with many opportunities for hands-on learning experiences. The science curriculum is full of these opportunities, including mini-labs, STEM tasks and Engineer Design Challenges. Each of these examples are aligned to the Florida Science Standards and are assessed through unit and cycle assessments. 

There are also opportunities for students to engage in the scientific process though experiments and field studies to then be submitted for consideration to represent their school at the annual Science and Engineering Fair held in the spring. The Showcase highlights learning that has occurred at all levels, K-12 and beyond (PTC). This provides our young scientists with exposure to what is available beyond their classroom walls. Our goal is to increase the number of participating science/engineering-based programs offered throughout PCS to showcase their programs.

Our Environmental Education program for Grade 4 continues, thanks to our partnership with SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District). All fourth graders visit Boyd Hill or Brooker Creek Nature Preserves to engage in a hands-on immersive experience in nature and science all around us.

The STEM Explorer Program, which occurs before/after school hours, is offered to all of our elementary schools. When participating in this program, students can dive into hands-on engineering design challenges and robotics, boost their teamwork skills, while sharpening their leadership abilities. Click on the following link to go directly to the PCS STEM Page STEM Explorer Program.

Effective science learning enables our students to connect and apply science concepts and processes to everyday events. In Pinellas County, students learn science by being actively engaged in the following ways: 

• Quantitative and qualitative observations
• Investigation of thoughtful questions
• Design and conduct experiments and other types of investigations
• Collect and organize data
• Make logical predictions and offer reasonable explanations
• Explore possible conclusions
• Communicate their understanding