Sciences

Our Science Department aims to create a sense of wonder and awe and to cultivate analytical and evidence-based thinking among students, empowering them with scientific literacy and instilling a deep appreciation for the natural world. In addition, we emphasize the importance of sustainability and stewardship, demonstrating the interconnectedness of scientific disciplines and their direct impact on our planet.

Our approach encourages collaboration and interdisciplinary knowledge transfer, fostering a learning environment where students can explore the connections between science, technology, and society. We are committed to providing a range of practical, hands-on experiences, enabling learners to develop the skills necessary to tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to the global community.

Ultimately, we strive to inspire the next generation of scientists and global citizens equipped with the knowledge and tools to create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Science Curriculum

Early Years

Early Years & Preparatory

Early Years & Preparatory

OVERVIEW

Students question, observe, and communicate as they explore their physical environment, living things they encounter, and the effects of forces on everyday objects.

EARLY YEARS 1-2

Use the processes and skills of an inquiry stance (i.e., questioning, planning, predicting, observing, and communicating).

Preparatory

Demonstrate an awareness of the natural and built environment through hands-on investigations, observations, questions, and representations of their findings.

Grade 1-10

Scientific Inquiry

Students learn processes and skills necessary to conduct scientific investigations, design and build devices, and communicate findings effectively.

PYP, Grade 1-3

Use a scientific research and experimentation process, and an engineering design process to conduct investigations, following appropriate health and safety procedures.

• demonstrate scientific curiosity and problem solve through the development of a new or improved object or tool
• design simple scientific investigations and engineer plans with teacher support
• examine objects, observe similarities, differences, sort, and classify according to observable features or criteria
• represent findings using pictures and models

PYP, Grade 4-5

Use a scientific research and experimentation process to conduct investigations, following appropriate health and safety procedures.

• outline an appropriate problem or research question to be tested by a scientific investigation
• identify the variables, and design a fair test to be conducted
• interpret data and outline results using scientific reasoning

MYP, GRADE 6-8

Use a scientific research process and scientific experimentation process, following appropriate health and safety procedures.

• outline a testable prediction using scientific reasoning
• outline how to manipulate the variables, and how data will be collected
• discuss the validity of a prediction based on the outcome of the scientific investigation
• discuss the validity of the method and describe improvements or extensions to the method

MYP, Grade 9-10

Apply scientific processes and an engineering design process in their investigations to develop a conceptual understanding of the science they are learning, and apply coding skills to model scientific concepts and relationships.

• describe a testable hypothesis
• outline a rationale for instruments used
• explain why and how all controlled variables are controlled
• display calculated values with an appropriate number of decimal places
• weigh the impact of each methodological weakness

Life Systems; Biology

Students gain an understanding of areas of biology such as ecosystems and biodiversity as well as cell processes and body systems. Students analyse impacts of social and environmental factors, human activities and technologies.

PYP, Grade 1-3

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic needs and characteristics of living things, including humans.

PYP, Grade 4-5

Demonstrate an understanding of ecosystems and the interrelationships among the organisms that live in them.

MYP, Grade 6-8

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic structure and function of plant and animal cells and cell processes.

MYP, Grade 9-10

Investigate cell division, cell specialization, organs, and systems in animals and plants, using research and inquiry skills, including various laboratory techniques.

Structures & Mechanisms; Physics

Structures and Mechanisms; physics

Students understand and apply concepts in areas such as forces and mechanisms, types of energy and their effects on everyday objects. Students apply their understanding to solve problems.

PYP, Grade 1-3

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and functions of machines and their mechanisms.

PYP, Grade 4-5

Demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s physical processes.

MYP, Grade 6-8

Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which properties of air can be applied to the principles of flight and flying machines.

MYP, Grade 9-10

Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of electric charges, including properties of static and current electricity.

Matter & Energy; Chemistry

Matter and Energy; chemistry

Students develop an understanding of properties, changes and uses of matter and energy. Students assess the impacts of materials and energy use, suggesting and evaluating implications.

PYP, Grade 1-3

Demonstrate an understanding of energy use and transformation and how it affects their lives.

PYP, Grade 4-5

Demonstrate an understanding of physical properties and physical changes of matter.

MYP, Grade 6-8

Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of matter, phases of matter, and the properties of pure substances and mixtures, and describe these properties using particle theory.

MYP, Grade 9-10

Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of matter, including the structure of the atom, physical and chemical properties of common elements and compounds, and the organization of elements in the periodic table.

Earth & Space Science

Earth and Space Science

Students inquire and develop an understanding of the scientific principles at work on Earth as well as in the solar system and universe including those related to physical process, cycles and exploration.

PYP, Grade 1-3

Demonstrate an understanding of Earth's cycles, including the water cycle and the plant life cycle.

PYP, Grade 4-5

Assess the social and environmental impacts of geological processes.

MYP, Grade 6-8

Demonstrate an understanding of heat as a form of energy that is associated with the movement of particles and is essential for many natural processes within Earth’s systems.

MYP, Grade 9-10

Demonstrate an understanding of the components, characteristics, and associated phenomena of the solar system and the universe, and the importance of the Sun to processes on Earth.

Diploma Programme; Grade 11-12

It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one science subject from the list below.

Biology SL/HL

Biologists investigate the living world at all levels using many different approaches and techniques. At one end of the scale is the cell, its molecular construction and complex metabolic reactions. At the other end of the scale, biologists investigate the interactions that make whole ecosystems function. Many discoveries remain to be made and great progress is expected in the 21st century.

DP Subject Brief: Biology SL/HL

Chemistry SL/HL

Chemistry is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigational skills. It is often called the central science as chemical principles underpin both the physical environment in which we live and all biological systems. Apart from being a subject worthy of study in its own right, chemistry is often a prerequisite for many other courses in higher education, such as medicine, biological science and environmental science.

DP Subject Brief: Chemistry SL/HL

Computer Science SL/HL

Design Technology SL/HL

Environmental Systems and Societies SL*

Through studying Environmental Systems and Societies students will be provided with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies; one that enables them to adopt an informed personal response to the wide range of pressing environmental issues that they will inevitably come to face.

DP Subject Brief: ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SOCIETIES SL

*Interdisciplinary course, students can study this course and have it count as either an Individuals and Societies or a Science course, or both. This gives students the opportunity to study (an) additional subject(s) from any group.

Physics SL/HL

Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe itself from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. Despite the exciting and extraordinary development of ideas throughout the history of physics, observations remain essential to the very core of the subject. Models are developed to try to understand observations, and these themselves can become theories that attempt to explain the observations.

DP Subject Brief: Physics SL/HL