A butterfly’s proboscis and the ampullae of Lorenzini on a shark. Two animal parts that students in Primary School can identify with ease. Why? Because at Prairie, science is woven into the curriculum starting in Early School. From robotics in Kindergarten to stream testing in 3rd grade, exploration and observation happen every day, laying the foundation for more in-depth research and hands-on experimentation as students move in Middle and Upper School. Courses in those divisions include: 6th Grade STEM reading, which focuses on reading and interpreting data like an engineer; Computer Science Discoveries, a class that inspires students as they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices; and Architectural Engineering, designed to introduce students to the planning and construction process of building structures. Much like these fields, Prairie’s science and engineering curriculum continues to evolve and ignite curiosity across all grade levels. 

In order to build and code robots, conduct experiments, launch web pages, dissect animals, and construct models, our science and engineering curriculum requires access to state-of-the-art technology, specialized tools, and age-appropriate materials. Your gift to the science and engineering program gives our faculty the resources they need to create an out-of-the box experience for their students. 

Gifts to Science and Engineering support:

• Curriculum components
  • Drones
  • Kindergarten robotics
  • Larva to study the life cycle of a butterfly in Early School
  • New laboratory glassware washer
  • Dissections across all divisions 
• Upper School advanced and honors courses 
• Wonderlab, an engineering lab and makerspace