About Our School → Math and Science Focus
Math and Science Focus
The Math and Science Special School Focus provides enhanced academic achievement in mathematics and science through a wide range of special resources tailored to the primary level. Two staff members -- a math and a science coordinator -- guide the program. Richly stocked math and science labs, together with a math and science curriculum that is integrated with other subject areas, provide students with unique opportunities to expand their math and science skills.
The Math Program
Focusing on real life situations and respecting the different learning styles of children, the math magnet aims to equip students with the capabilities to:
- Form their own strategies for solving math problems
- Develop logical reasoning skills
- Understand when to apply those skills
- Know how to communicate to others, orally and in writing, the processes used to solve math problems.
Children participate in lessons and activities that extend beyond the regular classroom curriculum. The math lab activities are based on the Maryland State Department of Education Content Standards for Mathematics, with emphasis on specific math skills used in daily life including but not limited to, measuring, counting money and understanding fundamental geometry concepts.
The Science Program
Founded on an inquiry-based approach, the science magnet provides children with the tools and skills that form the basis of scientific exploration. Our young scientists are continuously engaged in the scientific processes of:
- Investigating
- Asking questions
- Gathering data
- Interpreting data
- Communicating, orally and in writing, results and conclusions supported by the data.
These processes become increasingly complex as students become more sophisticated learners. The science lab features live animals and a large array of hands-on opportunities that change throughout the year. Additionally, children participate in a variety of activities and projects that enrich the classroom curriculum.