Cyprus Science Curriculum
Comprehensive, Innovative, and Globally Aware
At Cyprus, Students attend several hours of ability-based science classes each week from Super K through the Bridge Program. The progression through science is an intentional, goal oriented plan to ensure that students are high-level scientific and critical thinkers and are able to excel in science as a Cyprus student and beyond. Beginning in the fall of 2020, our curriculum has been revised to reflect the growing importance of environmental awareness and responsibility as well as the requirement of a strong foundation in technology and computer science for all educated people. Integrated into our exceptional science program, we have added studies in Environmental Science and Computer Science within all levels of our science curriculum.
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Beginning ScienceScience Program
Our youngest students enjoy a fun, experimental and observation-based, hands-on science class that exposes them to many branches of science including Physical Science, Life Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science and Technology. Students practice recording observations, enjoy fun science experiments to gain understanding of a wide variety of scientific concepts, and work on individual and group projects. We guide students into the habit of scientific thinking by naturally incorporating the steps of the scientific method from the earliest ages. Coding Students begin a coding curriculum completely offline that uses coding cards with adorable animal robots that follow their instructions to meet progressively difficult challenges. Students develop logical thinking skills by using sequencing, conditionals, and loops to send their animal robot on a quest to complete missions. Students are also able to be creative and invent their own challenges on their own or in teams. Environmental Science Students learn about conservation of natural resources, how to reduce waste and mimimize pollution through fun and age-appropriate stories, activities, and experiments. These students learn how and what to recycle and create a presentation teaching what they have learned to the school. |
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Young ScientistsStudents continue to utilize their scientific thinking skills by using an approach of scientific inquiry. We use a comprehensive and progressive program that incorporates math, the scientific method, as well as advanced and accurate scientific terminology. Students learn concepts through direct instruction and expand their knowledge with hands-on projects, experimentation, and research. Students continue to develop their understanding of using the scientific method, and are encouraged to participate in our school's science fair.
Coding Students use a new, more advanced, but completely offline coding curriculum using more advanced robots that follow their instructions to meet progressively difficult challenges. Students develop logical thinking skills by using more advanced techniques with sequencing, conditionals, and loops to send their animal robot on a quest to complete missions. Students are also able to be creative and invent their own challenges on their own or in teams. Environmental Science Students learn about conservation of natural resources, how to reduce waste and mimimize pollution through fun and age-appropriate stories, activities, and experiments. On-Site students create the physical school plan for recycling and ensure that it is followed by all members of the community. Online students create a recycling plan for their home with a proposal for their family. |
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Intermediate LevelsElementary students learn to extract valuable information from textbooks using a middle school curriculum that utilizes textbooks, and labs and learn to write basic lab reports. They use a revolving curriculum over three years of Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, with integrated studies of environmental and computer science. Students continue to develop their understanding of the scientific method and are expected to apply it in their individual and group experimentation. Our curriculum engages students through active investigation. The instructional design begins with an introductory hands-on investigation, followed by reading, applied investigations, and opportunities to extend learning. Students begin taking tests based on information from textbooks and writing basic lab reports.
Coding Students begin to learn object-oriented programming and transition into using real code. They begin to learn programming languages using functions, sequencing, conditionals, loops, strings, lists, and ordered lists. Environmental Studies Students learn about conservation and pollution and how it relates to the branch of science they are studying. They design experiments, and discuss and implement ideas for change. |
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Advanced Concepts and ApplicationsStudents apply their thinking skills by answering questions through experimental design. Students develop a deep and refined understanding of experimentation by creating plans, thinking through the variables, and discussing validity. They are able to use advanced math and logic skills in their detailed lab reports, which helps to refine their understanding of the scientific method. Over three years students focus on the following:
Chemistry Students learn chemistry through investigations including many demonstrations, labs and activities that make chemistry concepts easily accessible. Students study measurement, matter, chemical and nuclear reactions, thermodynamics and kinetics, and the various forms of matter. Students are required to memorize and understand the periodic table, and learn the basics of balancing equations. Students begin the history of science in ancient times. Biology and Neuroscience Students learn about biology and neruoscience through integrated lessons on the anatomy of the brain and intelligence. They learn about the systems of the human body through their textbook and labs. They conduct scientific investigations with creative experimentation, integration of high level mathematical formulas and statistics, understanding control groups versus controlled variables, and writing of high-level, detailed lab reports. Students continue learning about the history of science with the breakthroughs that were made with concepts understood through Newtonian principles. Physics Students begin with scientific investigations using mathematics and Newtonian physics. Students then learn about modern discoveries in science including Einstein's theories. They transition into learning about the breakthroughs that came with quantum physics to gain an understanding of its use in modern technology and science. Students are required to complete high-level, detailed lab reports, research papers, and conduct experiments that come from questions about scientific theories and ideas they have learned about. Coding Students continue to work with object-oriented programming using real code. They continue to systematically learn a programming language and integrate classes and objects, built-in functions, and graphics. When they are ready, they will begin using their knowledge to create games that have been assigned with specific goals. Environmental Studies Students learn about how human actions have affected our environment and ways others, including many children and teens have used innovation, intelligence, and passion, to become part of the solution. Students develop an understanding that they can be the agents of change at any age if they are inspired to do so. Students use what they have learned over the years to create an orignial idea or plan showing how they can be part of the solution. |
About Cyprus Classical Academy
It is a challenge knowing what to do if your child is gifted. There are many obstacles that traditional schools present to gifted children’s learning needs. The solution is ability-based education with a customized school schedule specifically designed to meet the unique needs of your gifted learner.
Cyprus Classical Academy is an ability-based elementary school providing quality education for advanced and gifted students that is unsurpassed by any other school, public or private, charter, or magnet. Cyprus is a school that offers customized school schedules and pacing for each student while maintaining a school structure and organized curriculum. Cyprus students are given an excellent education in Math, Literature & Composition, Public Speaking, Foreign Language, Arts, History, Science, and Technology.
Cyprus Classical Academy is an ability-based elementary school providing quality education for advanced and gifted students that is unsurpassed by any other school, public or private, charter, or magnet. Cyprus is a school that offers customized school schedules and pacing for each student while maintaining a school structure and organized curriculum. Cyprus students are given an excellent education in Math, Literature & Composition, Public Speaking, Foreign Language, Arts, History, Science, and Technology.