Overview:

The mission of the Seaford Science program is to create an environment that promotes a spirit of inquiry, nurturing our students’ curiosity, and bringing current, real-world science into the classroom.  Teachers encourage science literacy through the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). NGSS is a national program that is broken into three components:

The mission of the Seaford Science program is to create an environment that promotes a spirit of inquiry, nurturing our students’ curiosity, and bringing current, real-world science into the classroom.  Teachers encourage science literacy through the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). 

Crosscutting Concepts help students explore connections across the four domains of science, including Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design.  When these concepts, such as “cause and effect”, are made explicit for students, they can help students develop a coherent and scientifically based view of the world around them.

Science and Engineering Practices describes what scientists do to investigate the natural world and what engineers do to design and build systems. The practices better explain and extend what is meant by “inquiry” in science and the range of cognitive, social, and physical practices that it requires. Students engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge of core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) are the key ideas in science that have broad importance within or across multiple science or engineering disciplines. These core ideas build on each other as students progress through grade levels and are grouped into the following four domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering.

Parents resources for the new science standards can be found here.

In addition to coursework, there are science-focused extracurricular clubs in all buildings for students to explore the sciences outside the classroom.

Elementary:

At the Harbor and Manor Schools teachers incorporate the NGSS philosophy through hands-on experiments, virtual laboratory experiences, readings, small and large group work as well as independent assignments.  In class, instruction uses FOSS Science resources to enhance the curriculum and the student experience. FOSS is designed around the principle of collaborative, active investigation and engages all students by inviting them to interact with observable phenomena.

Middle School:

The science program at Seaford Middle School is designed to engage and challenge students, building upon their study of science at Harbor and Manor.  The program covers four main subject areas: Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science and Chemistry with units of study following pedagogy from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS).  Students will learn their science content using Science and Engineering Practices, Cross-Cutting Concepts and Disciplinary Core Ideas.  A link to these standards can be found here: NYSSLS Middle School.

All students in 8^th grade are enrolled in Living Environment, a high school credit-bearing class that will end in students taking their first Regents Examination in science.  Support classes are available as an additional resource for students if needed.

Additionally, there are many different science-related exploratory courses offered to students in all grades.  

High School:

Students at Seaford High School can explore all the core science areas: Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics, as well as pursue further study through the Advanced Placement program.  The chart below shows the main offerings in the program.

Some unique opportunities students have at Seaford High School include:

• ENVES – A course for freshmen that combines the curricula of AP Environmental Science with Physical Setting: Earth Science. Students sit for both the Regents and AP Examinations.
• Research 1, 2, 3 – This course work provides students the opportunity to explore the natural sciences on a topic of their choosing and compete in local, state, and national science competitions.
• Science Electives – Students can pursue interests in Marine Science, Forensics, and Anatomy in these ½ year elective courses.

Click on the HS Course Handbook for more information about the science program.

Please reach out to Ms. Debbie Langone, Executive Director for Instructional Technology and STEAM if you have any questions about the science program in Seaford.