Science
Life, Earth and physical science through inquiry
Grade 2 – AP Biology
Mission & Overview
Our Science program builds curious, careful thinkers — from hands-on observation in elementary school to Regents-level Earth Science and college-level AP Biology — through inquiry, experimentation, and real investigation at every grade.
Grade Span
Grade 2 through AP Biology
Core Strands
Life Science • Earth & Space Science • Physical Science • Engineering Design
Regents & AP
Earth and Space Science Regents • Physics Regents • AP Biology Exam • NYS Grade 5 Science Test prep
Format
Hands-on labs & investigations • science journals • Fun Science Fridays • projects
Science Foundations
Every grade explores Life, Earth, and Physical Science through observation, hands-on investigation, and the scientific method.
Grade 2: Habitats, Weather & Simple Machines
Life cycles and habitats; water, weather & natural resources; matter, forces, energy, and simple machines.
Grade 3: Ecosystems, Earth's Materials & Matter
Habitats and biodiversity; rocks, soil, weather, and the solar system; matter, forces, and the scientific method.
Grade 4: Cells, Ecosystems & Energy Transfer
Plant vs. animal cells; food chains and energy flow; weather, water cycle, and the solar system; forces and energy.
Skills Built Every Year
Life Science
- Characteristics of living things
- Life cycles & habitats
- Ecosystems & food webs
- Adaptations & survival
Earth Science
- Weather & climate
- Water cycle
- Rocks, soil & minerals
- Natural resources
Physical Science
- Properties of matter
- Forces & motion
- Forms of energy
- Simple machines
Scientific Method
- Asking questions
- Making predictions
- Recording observations
- Science journals
- Hands-on experiments
Courses
7 courses, each with its units of study. Pick a course to see it.
Grade 4/5 Science
Hands-on science three times a week — investigations, experiments, and engineering, preparing students for the NYS Grade 5 Science Test.
- 1Scientific Investigation & Engineering Design
- 2Structure and Properties of Matter
- 3Energy
- 4Earth's Systems
- 5Earth's Place in Space
- 6Ecosystems and Living Things
- 7Engineering Design Challenges
Students build scientific thinking by asking questions, analyzing data, and explaining evidence collaboratively.
Grade 5/6 Science
Matter, energy, Earth, weather, ecosystems, the human body, and space — with a hands-on Fun Science Friday every week.
- 1Scientific Skills & Investigation
- 2Matter and Its Interactions
- 3Forces and Motion
- 4Energy
- 5Earth Systems
- 6Weather and Climate
- 7Ecosystems
- 8Cells & Human Body Systems
- 9Space Science
Every Friday is a Fun Science Friday — students investigate and create science experiments together.
Living Environment
Also known as Biology, this course explores cells, genetics, evolution, and ecology — preparing students for the Living Environment Regents Examination.
- 1Nature of Science & the Scientific Method
- 2Cells & Cellular Structure
- 3Biochemistry: Organic & Inorganic Molecules
- 4Photosynthesis & Respiration
- 5Genetics: DNA, RNA & Mendelian Inheritance
- 6Selective Breeding, Cloning & Genetic Engineering
- 7Evolution & Classification of Life
- 8Human Body Systems
- 9Ecology & Environmental Issues
Four laboratory investigations required by the NYS Regents are completed throughout the year, with a dedicated review in May ahead of the exam.
Earth & Space Science
Rock formation, plate tectonics, the solar system, and climate — with 30 required labs preparing students for the Regents Examination.
- 1Scientific Inquiry & Earth Systems
- 2Mapping & Geospatial Skills
- 3Earth-Sun-Moon System
- 4Solar System
- 5Stars & Universe
- 6Earth's Interior & Plate Tectonics
- 7Earthquakes & Volcanoes
- 8Minerals & Rocks
- 9Surface Processes
- 10Geologic History
- 11Weather & Atmosphere
- 12Climate & Human Impact
The Earth and Space Science Regents is set for June 15, 2027, from 1:15 to 4:15 PM.
Chemistry
Chemistry unfolds through the history of its discoveries — from the gas laws to quantum theory — preparing students for the Chemistry Regents Examination.
- 1History of Gases: Torricelli to Avogadro
- 2The Search for the Elements
- 3Electricity & the Elements
- 4Atomic Theory: Dalton to Mendeleev
- 5Quantum Theory & the Modern Atom
- 6Electron Configuration & the Periodic Law
- 7Chemical Bonding & Lewis Structures
- 8Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry
- 9Acids, Bases, Kinetics & Electrochemistry
The course traces chemistry’s history from the Industrial Revolution through quantum theory, with a quiz or test expected most weeks and additional units on nuclear and organic chemistry. REGENTS COURSE • GRADES 10–12
Physical Science: Physics
Motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, and modern physics — explained through evidence, mathematical models, and engineering design.
- 1Physics Practices & Measurement
- 2Motion
- 3Forces & Gravitation
- 4Momentum & Collisions
- 5Work, Energy & Power
- 6Electrostatics & Fields
- 7Electric Circuits
- 8Magnetism & Induction
- 9Waves, Sound & Optics
- 10Modern Physics & Synthesis
Prerequisite: Algebra I (Geometry or Algebra II recommended concurrently). Prepares students for the NYS Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics, aligned to the NYSP12SLS standards.
AP Biology
A college-level course spanning cells, genetics, the Central Dogma, evolution, and ecology — preparing students for the AP Biology Exam.
- 1Chemistry of Life 8–11%
- 2Cell Structure and Function 10–13%
- 3Cellular Energetics 12–16%
- 4Cell Communication and Cell Cycle 10–15%
- 5Heredity 8–11%
- 6Gene Expression and Regulation 12–16%
- 7Natural Selection 13–20%
- 8Ecology 10–15%
Percentages reflect each unit's approximate weight on the AP Exam, set for May 3, 2027.
Assessment & Grading
- 01
Grades 2–4
- 30% — Assessments
- 25% — Projects & Presentations
- 20% — Classwork & Participation
- 15% — Homework
- 10% — Final Cumulative Task
- 02
Grades 4/5 – AP Biology
- 03
Gr. 4/5 Science
- 25% Exams
- 15% Quizzes
- 25% Homework
- 15% Participation
- 20% Classwork
- 04
Gr. 5/6 Science
- 25% Exams
- 15% Quizzes
- 20% Homework
- 15% Participation
- 15% Classwork
- 10% Fun Science
- 05
Earth & Space
- 25% Exams
- 20% Quizzes
- 20% Homework
- 15% Participation
- 10% Labs
10% Rock&Roll Fri.
- 06
AP Biology
- 25% Unit Exams
- 20% Quizzes
- 20% Homework
- 10% Participation
- 15% Labs
10% Biotech Fri.
Grading detail below reflects the courses with published syllabi. Physics grading will be added once its syllabus is available.
- 07
Living Environment
- 25% Exams
- 20% Quizzes
- 25% Homework
- 20% Projects
- 10% Participation
- 08
Chemistry
- 25% Exams
- 20% Quizzes
- 25% Homework
- 20% Projects
- 10% Participation
What Makes Us Unique
- One continuous science pathway — from habitats to AP Biology
- Hands-on labs and investigations at every single grade
- Weekly Fun Science Fridays make experimentation a habit, not an event
- 30 required labs before the Earth and Space Science Regents
- Regents and AP preparation built into the course all year long
From growing plants in a classroom to analyzing DNA — one continuous journey of scientific discovery.
Meet Our Faculty
Explore Our Academic Programs
English Language Arts →Mathematics →History and Social Studies →Russian Language and Literature →
See BSE in Person.
Tours run on school days, so you see real classes. Bring your child; we'll meet them too.