The science curriculum at St. Mark’s is an integrated, intensive laboratory oriented program. Skills in critical thinking, reading, and drawing conclusions are drawn on from other disciplines, utilized and extended. A wonderful facility complements the program formulated below. Students make regular visits to the three-climate greenhouse, the aviary, the planetarium and the observatory.

The Lower School Science curriculum provides the boys with the foundations for observing, communicating, measuring, comparing, describing, classifying, predicting, collecting data and interpreting data. It is built to foster curiosity, inventiveness, persistence, and enthusiasm. We want the boys to learn by doing and reflecting. We use materials from a variety of programs to explore the life, earth and space, and physical sciences. In first grade, we look at physical objects and their properties; life cycles, habitats and the classification of plants and animals; the sun and its effect on earth; and rocks, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Our second-grade curriculum covers interactions and systems; air, water, and ground pollution; and animals and endangered species. In third grade we formally discuss the use of scientific method. We study light, sound, simple machines, the senses, nutrition and the digestive system, invertebrates, vertebrates, the skeletal system, and conservation of earth’s resources. Our fourth-grade curriculum covers an in-depth look at planet earth from its core to the crust. We work with the basic features of matter and motion. In the life science area, fourth graders study the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems of the human body. Fourth graders also learn basic laboratory techniques. In the Lower School, at several grade levels, we use our planetarium as a primary tool in our study of astronomy.

The Middle School Science curriculum is a series of laboratory-oriented disciplines which attempts to bring students and science together in such a manner that each student will gain knowledge and a sense of confidence about his environment. He will be able to analyze unfamiliar situations, consider alternatives, and then decide on a course of action. In this way, students will ultimately learn on their own initiative and develop an active interest in the learning process. There is a balance between the physical and biological sciences, and between the descriptive and more quantitative aspects of science. The Middle School science courses described are required at the indicated grade levels.

The Upper School Science curriculum offers a program of studies by which students will gain a basic knowledge of modern scientific principles and ideas, and an understanding of the methods and significance of science in contemporary society. There is a three-year laboratory science graduation requirement, and all students must take biology. Students are, of course, encouraged to continue their study of science beyond the three-year requirement. A variety of courses in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, and DNA science comprise the basic science curriculum. Students who have the full complement of basic courses may qualify for advanced placement courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. There are some other courses which will appeal to students according to the individual descriptions below. There are special activities sponsored by the science department which include JETS competitions, the Astronomy Club, Model Airplane Club, Rocket Club, Garden Club and other special project clubs.