Science
Our science curriculum is an adaptable and evolving resource focused on using the scientific process to help students better understand their world. It provides a scaffold for learning experiences while remaining flexible enough to incorporate student interests, new opportunities, and emerging ideas in science education. Its current stage of development is heavily influenced by a variety of sources. These include Miquon’s environment and rich traditions, current research on science literacy, progressive education practices, student interests and the wisdom of our experienced staff.
View The Science Curriculum Scope and Sequence, which uses specific terminology from Project 2061: Benchmarks for Science Literacy, the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards, and the NYC Department of Education has been used to describe key ideas already in place.
🚲 27 students
🚲 5+ miles
🚲 Riders from 6th grade all the way down to tiny 16-inch wheels
Nearly 30 students traded cars and buses for handlebars as they tackled the Schuylkill River Trail with confidence and enthusiasm. They arrived at school with ear-to-ear smiles and enough energy to power the whole campus.
We couldn’t be prouder of their grit, determination, and school spirit!
How do you commute? Drop a 🚲 or 🚗 below!
#themiquonschool #foreveramiquonkid #progressiveeducation #independentschool
We’re gearing up for our annual Spring Fair raffle!
Thank you to everyone who helped organize, create, and donate such incredible prizes. Now it’s time to grab your tickets!
From themed class baskets and handmade items to restaurant gift cards, sports and theater tickets, and more—there’s something for everyone.
Our online platform makes it easy for friends and family near and far to join in (though you may need to visit to claim your prize 😉). Good luck!
Buy your tickets today! Link in bio.
#themiquonschool #foreveramiquonkid #progressiveeducation #independentschools
Last Thursday was the big day our Kindergarten/1st graders had been waiting for: tasting the sugar maple syrup they made themselves on Pancake Day!
Children helped read the recipe, measure ingredients, crack eggs, and mix the batter. When it was (finally!) time to taste, they noticed the syrup’s color, aroma, and, of course, its flavor.
As they enjoyed the feast, children drew and wrote about their experiences. Our Sugar and Silver Maple groups especially loved comparing syrup from their different trees. What a joy to revisit their maple studies through such a delicious morning!
#themiquonschool #progressiveeducation #foreveramiquonkid
It`s National Teacher Appreciation Week, and we want to shout from the rooftops about how much we love our teachers!
Our teachers live our mission every day: they celebrate childhood, cultivate a love of learning, and inspire children to advocate and care for themselves, each other, and the world!
We wouldn`t be Miquon without them.
#themiquonschool #foreveramiquonkid #progressiveeducation
Last week, we welcomed families to campus for our annual Arts & Science Show!
In science, our 5/6 students moved beyond traditional trifold displays, engaging in live experimentation during the event to gather real-time data. Their findings will be published and shared with the community soon.
In art, students selected 2–3 pieces they created this year that they felt especially proud of. Their work spanned a variety of mediums, including weaving, ceramics, and mixed media collage.
A special thank you to our art teacher, Nicole, and our science teacher, Cynthia, for their dedication to supporting these young learners and bringing this event to life.
#themiquonschool #foreveramiquonkid #independentschool
Come join us for Spring Open House on Wednesday, May 6 from 9-11 AM!
Chat with our Head of School, teachers, and current families while you explore campus from the creek to the classroom. You`ll learn more about how our Progressive program celebrates childhood as a time of wonder, inquiry, resilience, and joy.
RSVP at the link in our bio. We hope to see you there!
#themiquonschool #foreveramiquonkid #independentschool #progressiveschool #progressiveeducation #phillyindependentschools #learningoutdoors #learningoutside #phillyfamilies #openhouse
Last week, Meadow Nursery transformed into a lively restaurant experience. This was the grand finale to their months-long study of food.
With guidance, the children took ownership of planning and executing the entire experience. They generated ideas for their restaurant`s name and decided on a delicious menu by voting on favorite entrees and desserts to be served.
They brought their menu to life through hands-on cooking experiences. They helped make mac and cheese, prepared vanilla ice cream, and practiced their cutting skills by slicing strawberries.
In addition, each child choose how they wanted to participate in the restaurant. They selected roles such as chefs, hosts, seaters, servers, washers, and customers, exploring different responsibilities while building confidence and cooperation.
It was a wonderful week filled with imagination, collaboration, and hands-on learning. We are so proud of how the children worked together to create their very own restaurant from start to finish. (And thanks to our awesome Meadow Nursery teachers for giving the children this experience!)
#themiquonschool #foreveramiquonkid #progressiveeducation
Is it a frog or a toad? When a question arises, sometimes finding a book to help us research the answer is the way to go.
And if interest really ignites, teachers and our librarian will gather more books to share, bring in experts, and help excited learners go deeper.
#themiquonschool #progressiveeducation #independentschools #phillyfamilies
Spring is here, and we are excited!
Now that the weather has turned a bit warmer, students and teachers have moved outside when possible whether for writing, surveying in math, reading independently, participating in book clubs, or playing music.
Learning happens beyond the classroom walls at Miquon and this is the best time of year for that!
What`s your favorite thing to sit on while you are outside reading, writing, or just contemplating life?
Approach
To support the development of curious, life long learners, Miquon students actively experiment to better understand the world. The science program emphasizes critical thinking processes that give children the skills they need to explore their own questions.
These essential questions guide the development of worthwhile experiences for Nursery through 6th Grade students:
- How can we observe, question and experiment to better understand our world?
- What lives, grows and breaks down at Miquon?
- How do parts of a system affect each other?
- How can we create what we need or want?
- How does science work? How does science information change over time?
Specific areas of study are selected through the interplay of a variety of factors (including, but not limited to): personal relevance to students’ daily lives, local and global events, the availability of resources, and student and teacher interests. The disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, engineering, and art are woven throughout the curriculum. Core ideas in these fields are investigated and revisited in age appropriate ways to build the foundation for a broad and nuanced knowledgebase.
The Art and Science Show
The Art and Science Show is an event in the spring that showcases work from every child in the school. The art presentation is curated by the students and the art specialist teacher. The science show has had a variety of iterations over the last few years, but it always features reflective learning exhibitions from fifth and sixth grade students. These exhibitions may feature inventions developed by students, extensions of science projects completed earlier in the year, live demonstrations, or creative exhibits that educate visitors about a specific topic. Younger students are also invited to present their projects and inventions, but it is not mandatory.
Science Choice
In addition to scheduled classes, many children also enjoy visiting the science room at lunch choice. The science room is open two to three days a week. Students visit to continue projects from class, build new creations, work with computer programs, read books and spend time with the live animal visitors.
Minicourses
Minicourses are elective courses for children held for an hour on Friday mornings in eight week installments. Topics for these courses may be suggested by teachers or children. Some science related minicourses held over the last few years include: SCRATCH-an introduction to computer programming created by MIT, Google Sites, Woodworking, Art and Sculpture in Nature, Baking Bread, Move It–a dance and fitness class, Bird Watching and Hiking, Paper Airplane Design, Building Things That Go, and Chemistry & Crystals.
Science Blog
Want to learn more about the latest with Science Kate? Check out pictures, kid projects and the other happenings posted to the Science Blog.
Science Blog
- The Miquon Kids’ Research Journal Volume Two
- Spotted Lanternflies and Children
- The Miquon Kids’ Research Journal
Curriculum Report
The curriculum report is the teachers’ review of the entire year, looking back and making observations after their plans, projects, problems, and revelations are long over. One of the distinguishing features of this report is the great extent to which each teacher’s style, focus, and personality come through in this retrospective narrative. Check out the Science Curriculum Report.
