STEM
Scientific Exploration in Hands-On Activities
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When mathematicians describe math, they use words such as beautiful, elegant, deep, exciting, and joyful. At Main Line Classical Academy, we strive to instill a similar attitude toward mathematics in our students.
MATHEMATICS:
Depth, Grit, and Joy
We teach kids the art of solving problems across the disciplines by looking for patterns, finding order, simplifying, and generalizing.
So our youngest to oldest students all learn to face problems, which requires grit. We foster a growth mindset and instill in them the idea that just because something is hard does not equate to failure.
Math, for instance, is often assumed to be "difficult" or "dull." But if educators take joy into account when planning their lessons, students who approach it with curiosity and enthusiasm will ultimately achieve more.
Our students learn logic, geometry, topology, probability, functions, and algebra in ways they can readily grasp. (Yes, five-year-olds can understand the concept of a function or solve an equation!) Our activities invite them to explore, from playing with the triangle inequality through a 3rd grade hands-on activity to 9th grade proofs on the irrationality of the square root of two.
Across the curriculum, games and “brain teasers” serve as a fun but challenging playground for exercising the skills students acquire. We play games that develop a sense for numbers and understanding of place value, hone powers of logical thought and expression, and increase spatial reasoning.
We prepare students for the technology-driven 21st century not with devices, but by grounding them in math and science, teaching engineering and coding, and fostering logical thinking.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
Awareness of the Natural World
Scientific exploration is a core part of the MLCA curriculum from kindergarten on. Early studies focus on observing natural phenomena and understanding the logic behind them, fostering curiosity and a sense of wonder. Students explore meteorology, astronomy, geology, physics, and biology, building a foundation for more advanced scientific thinking.
Hands-on experimentation is central to this learning. Students take on projects (building circuits, pinhole cameras, and mechanical devices) while also studying engineering principles, electronics, and materials science.
MLCA also introduces computer programming in fourth grade, teaching disciplined logical thinking and the skills to harness technology creatively and effectively. Across all levels, science at MLCA combines observation, experimentation, and application, which cultivates critical thinking and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
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