The Power of Interdisciplinary Learning
At Green Vale, curiosity and creativity drive meaningful learning. Our Science and Wonder Lab programs, which together serve our Nursery through 2nd Grade students, are an exciting example of how interdisciplinary learning sparks imagination and a love for discovery. By combining hands-on scientific exploration with creative, open-ended projects, these programs nurture essential skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation in our youngest learners.
Hands-On Learning in Science
In our science classes, students dive into the wonders of the natural world through hands-on experiments and inquiry-based activities. Whether it’s learning about force and motion, light and sound, or exploring the interdependence of ecosystems, students are actively engaged in making observations, asking questions, and discovering new concepts.
Science teacher Kristin John explained the approach: “In science, our goal is to inspire curiosity. We begin by exploring phenomena that spark inquiry. We foster a process in which students observe, ask questions, and explore topics hands-on.”
She continued, “As they move through this process, they engage with the science content in a meaningful way; it allows them to contextualize their learning. All student scientists keep journals. These are the home to their wonderings, findings, and designs.”
This documentation of their thinking and learning–made up of everything from drawings to charts collecting data–provides an opportunity for children to reflect on the process to solidify their understanding, and encourages them to think critically about what they’ve experienced.
Bringing Ideas to Life in Wonder Lab
Further magic unfolds when these scientific discoveries are brought to life in our Wonder Lab. After exploring a scientific topic, students enter the creative space of the Wonder Lab, where they apply their learning by creating projects using varied materials. Here, students take what they’ve learned and apply it, designing models, building prototypes, and imagining solutions to real-world challenges.
“I like to foster a learning environment where active engagement can thrive. Students are fully involved in hands-on exploration, each in their own unique way,” said Technology Teacher Danielle Maggi. “I've seen firsthand how this active engagement drives deeper learning and improves understanding. When students can apply what they’ve learned creatively, they internalize the concepts in a way that purely theoretical lessons can’t achieve.”
Connecting Science and Creativity
This blend of science and creativity is a powerful way to enhance learning. For instance, in a recent lesson on fish anatomy, students were surprised to find live fish brought into the classroom. This sparked their interest and the questions began to flow. They went on to learn about the different parts of a fish—the gills, fins, scales, and more. Then, in Wonder Lab, they were tasked with using loose parts like cardboard, buttons, and string to construct their own fish models. The designs varied from child to child but each was able to articulate the various parts of the fish, thus meeting the objective. This activity not only reinforced their scientific knowledge but also gave them the opportunity to explore the creative process of building something from scratch.
John added, “The beauty of combining Science and Wonder Lab is that students are able to take their learning into their own hands. After they’ve learned the science behind a topic, they can get creative with it, turning their new knowledge into something tangible. In the fish example, they’re not just memorizing the parts of a fish; they’re constructing a fish out of recycled materials, bringing their learning to life in a meaningful and memorable way.”
Nurturing Essential Skills
Through these hands-on experiences, students develop critical skills that go beyond scientific knowledge. Problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity are central to every project. In the Wonder Lab, students work together to brainstorm ideas, share materials, and combine their strengths to bring their creations to life. These skills are invaluable not just in the classroom but in every aspect of everyday life.
“By facing challenges and working with a variety of materials, students naturally collaborate as they develop problem-solving skills together,” said Maggi. Through creative exploration, students discover that there isn't just one way to solve a problem, and they learn to persevere when things don’t go as planned. This process fosters resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset.