The need to understand and apply science has never been more essential to society than it is in the 21st century. Advancements in medicine, technology, and access to information have changed the landscape of our world. Further, the impact of humans on our environment has made the question of sustainability a crucial topic of study. As a result, science education is critical to the development of both informed citizens and the preparation of our next generation of scientists and engineers. The Science Program at St. Mark’s aims to develop students who are scientifically literate, create opportunities for the interdisciplinary study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and provide an exemplary preparation for collegiate level science. In an effort to meet these goals the program engages students in the process of science through the study of the core ideas that pervade the discipline: energy and matter, form and function, cause and effect, the use of models, and observation of patterns. Students explore these ideas while developing the practices that are central to the scientific enterprise itself such as observing, questioning, testing, analyzing, applying, designing, developing evidence-based arguments, and communicating. Each course is designed around a core set of ideas and grounded in context, all of which provides students with an increased understanding of the natural world, empowers students to propose solutions to dynamic problems, and better equips students to make informed decisions based upon science.
