Science
Philosophy:
As Christian educators we must begin with the premise that the world in which we live belongs to God, who created and upholds it. Through scientific inquiry we can perceive the nearly infinite complexity and amazing orderliness of God’s world. With a fuller understanding of creation comes a deepened awareness of the goodness and power of its Creator.
When we use science to study creation, we learn not only about God but also about ourselves. We are part of God’s creation – a very special part. God destined the world to contain a perfect harmony of relationships among humans, animals, plants, and non-living things, but the human race’s fall into sin disrupted this unity and balance. However, as God’s redeemed people through Christ’s renewing power, we are entrusted with bringing restoration and reconciliation to God’s good creation.
God has put the earth under our control and made us its caretakers. The task of caring for God’s creation rests on our shoulders. A task, which involves this much responsibility, cannot be taken up in ignorance. Science is an essential tool for us to use in learning about the natural laws God has established for the world so that we can care for it wisely.
We live in an age in which scientific knowledge has increased at an explosive rate and the use of that knowledge changes our lives daily. In fact, scientific inquiry has had a profound influence on Western thought. This is especially apparent in prevailing attitudes toward knowledge and truth. Some people believe that human beings can gain complete knowledge – and mastery – of the world through science. Secular culture tends to reduce the world to the human realm and therefore widely considers scientific inquiry – or human reason – as the path to all knowledge. But, for Christians, ultimate truth is found only in God, and science is one avenue toward gaining an understanding of God’s creation.
Science and the Bible
It is important for students in a Christian school to realize that all worldviews do not acknowledge God. Students should be made aware of the different interpretations found in scientific thought. However, the fact that such interpretations exist in the world around us does not make science itself incompatible with Christianity.
God reveals Himself directly through His Holy Word. Human beings also learn about God through the world He created (general revelation). The study of science is one method of learning about God as He reveals Himself in creation, but this study must always be conducted in the light of the special revelation God has given in the Bible. Natural science is important for studying direct causes and finite relations in the material world – how events occur. But it can’t be explained why. The Bible sets the facts obtained through scientific study in the correct context of ultimate causes and infinite relations.
The Bible and science are complementary. Together they help us understand God’s plan and purpose for every part of creation.
Stewardship
Christian students must examine our task as stewards of creation from a Biblical perspective. People everywhere have recently begun to recognize the wisdom in caring for the earth: conserving the earth’s resources protects our own health, maintains the natural beauty of our environment, and preserves the earth for future generations. In addition to these valuable goals, Christians have a more fundamental motivation for protecting the environment – one that lies in the very reason for being.
As human beings created in the image and likeness of God, we have a unique position in creation. We are part of nature, made from “dust of the earth”. Yet, because of our special relationship with God, we are also above nature, sharing in God’s dominion over all living things. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He commanded them to “work it and take care of it”. The use and care of the earth has thus been entrusted to us. It is our great privilege and responsibility as God’s stewards to serve, protect, and enhance the rest of the creation, and in so doing, to glorify the Creator.
The human race has failed to carry out the cultural mandate fully because of the fall into sin, but Christ’s redeeming grace enables us to continue doing God’s work in the world. As Christ’s representatives we must work toward bringing God’s peace to all life on earth.
Stewardship of the earth is a task that is motivated, at lest in part, by an appreciation and awe of the extraordinary wonders of the world God created. We should have a sense of awe at the unity and diversity of creation and the delicate balance of inter-responsibility for its welfare. Students should be led to examine their own lifestyles and become conscious of the impact that their daily actions have on the myriad forms of life in God’s creation. They should be encouraged to use their unique abilities as a means to honor and obey God, serve other humans, and sustain God’s remarkable gift of the earth and its resources.
Science and Technology
Another issue in science that demands a Christian response is the application of science in technology. The vast influence and rapid growth of technology has largely shaped our society, institutions, and way of life. Thus it is essential that today’s children have the knowledge and skills to enable them to participate as informed and trustworthy stewards of an increasingly technology driven world.
A science curriculum should help students understand how science, technology, and society influence one another. Science is concerned with understanding the way the world works, while technology uses science to change the way the world works, usually in order to meet a human need or desire. Unfortunately, many technological services that meet human needs are destructive to other forms of life and sometimes harm human lives. As a result, we now find ourselves in a world of dwindling resources and environmental hazards.
On the other hand, the very technology that can be so destructive may also provide the means to end such damage. The challenge lies with tomorrow’s adults to develop the kind of technology that will preserve the earth rather than threaten it.
LCS teachers will seek to foster a questioning attitude in students by presenting both the successes and failures of human beings in using technology. In this way students should be led to both appreciate the value of science and technology in society and to understand their limitations.
School Goals
The goal of science in a Christian school is to learn about and understand the world around us and to use that knowledge to benefit God’s creation.
Students at all levels will:
● be creative problem solvers
● be able to imagine possibilities and implications
● be able to use a variety of resources to gather information
● be able to develop observation and measurement skills
● be able to make responsible decisions
● be able to form and articulate ideas
● be in awe of our great Creator
Specific Grade Level Activities
Grade 1
| Life Science: Living and Non-Living Things Life Cycles Food Chains Space and Technology: Day and Night Sky Science in our World |
Earth Science: |
Grade 2
| Life Science: All About Plants All About Animals How Plants/Animals Live Together How Living Things Grow/Change |
Physical Science: Properties of Matter Sound Energy Forces and Motion |
Grade 3
| Earth Science: Water Weather Rocks and Soil Changes on Earth Natural Resources Energy |
Space and Technology: Patterns in the Sky The Solar System Science in our Lives Physical Science: Forces and Motion |
Grade 4
| Life Science: Classifying Plants/Animals Energy from Plants Ecosystems Changes in Ecosystems Earth Science: Earth’s Cycles Hurricanes and Tornadoes |
Physical Science: Properties of Matter Heat Electricity/Magnetism Sound and Light Objects in Motion Simple Machines |
Grade 5
| Life Science: Human Body Systems Plants (Inc. lab on WI Fast Plants) Interactions in Ecosystems Changes in Ecosystems Space and Technology: Stars and Galaxies Earth and Space Technology in our lives |
Earth Science: Water on Earth Weather Patterns Physical Science: Forces and Motion Forms of Energy Electricity |
Grade 6
| Life Science: Cells Reproduction Body Systems Physical Science: Matter Building Blocs of Matter Forces and Motion Machines |
Earth Science: Plate Tectonics Reshapping Earths Surface Earth’s Resources Climate and Weather Space and Technology: Earth, Sun, Moon The Universe Impacts of Technology |
Grade 7
| Life Science: Characteristics of Life and Classification Zoology Dissection of Invertebrates - Earthworm, clam, crayfish, starfish and grasshopper Dissection of vertebrate - perch Physical Science: Matter: Building block of the Universe Chemistry of Matter Motion, Forces, and Energy |
Grade 8
Life Science:
Ecology
Cytology
Genetics
Physical Science:
Dynamic Earth
Earth’s Landmasses
Solar System
It is expected that any experiments and data collecting will be done using the metric system.
There is a graduation requirement for science. A student must complete one individual project following the scientific method some time between grade 5 and 8. This must be an experiment, not a model or display. A written paper and a display board are required and both must meet the requirements as provided by the science coordinator of the science fair.