A Science Curriculum Proven to Foster Academic Growth

At Ballancrest Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina, we are committed to providing a strong educational foundation that sets children on the path to lifelong academic success. Our science-based curriculum is designed around five engaging modules that introduce fundamental scientific concepts through hands-on exploration and inquiry. This approach has been proven to enhance cognitive and language development, with children participating in ScienceStart! demonstrating significant gains on standardized assessments, such as a 0.5 standard deviation increase on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test.

Five Science Modules That Build Knowledge & Skills

Our curriculum follows a structured sequence of five interactive modules, each designed to develop observation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills while reinforcing literacy, math, and social development.

1. Measurement & Mapping: Building Foundations for Learning

The first module, introduced at the start of the year, helps children establish routines, develop a sense of community, and begin to explore scientific inquiry. Children learn about various forms of measurement and how to organize important information using:

  • Charts

  • Drawings

  • Graphs

  • Photography

  • Writing

This module lays the groundwork for critical thinking and organization skills that will be used throughout the year.

2. Movement & Machines: Exploring Motion & Mechanics

In this module, children observe how their own bodies move—bending, twirling, dancing, and relaxing—before applying these observations to the movement of objects such as spinning tops and pendulums. Key scientific concepts such as gravity and friction are introduced, followed by an exploration of simple machines that are part of everyday life, including:

  • Axles

  • Levers

  • Pulleys

  • Ramps

  • Wheels

By investigating movement and mechanics, children develop problem-solving skills and gain an early understanding of physics in action.

3. Properties of Matter: Understanding Solids, Liquids & Gases

The third module focuses on the physical properties of matter, encouraging children to explore and classify solids, liquids, and gases. Through hands-on experiments, they observe:

  • How solid building materials provide structure

  • The way liquids move and behave

  • What sinks or floats in water

  • How air can move objects or take up space

Children also witness real-life transformations of matter—such as melting chocolate, freezing water, cooking eggs, and evaporating liquids—to deepen their understanding of how temperature and external forces change materials.

4. Neighborhood Habitat: Discovering Life Science

In this life-science module, children learn that all living things need food, water, air, and space to survive. They explore their own neighborhood habitat, discovering:

  • The plants and animals that live in their environment

  • How each organism’s habitat meets its survival needs

  • The interdependence of different species within an ecosystem

This module fosters a love of nature and environmental awareness, helping children understand their role in protecting the world around them.

5. Color & Light: Investigating Visual Science

In this exciting final module, children experiment with colors and light to uncover scientific principles related to:

  • Primary & secondary colors and how they mix

  • Light travel and how it interacts with different surfaces

  • Shadows and how they change with light sources

  • Reflection and the properties of mirrors

Through scientific experimentation, children make predictions, test their ideas, and compare their results, reinforcing critical thinking and the scientific process.

Meeting & Exceeding Educational Standards

Our curriculum is aligned with national early childhood education standards, incorporating best practices from:

  • The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)

  • The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)

  • The International Reading Association/National Association for the Education of Young Children (IRA/NAEYC)

  • The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

By integrating these recognized educational guidelines, we ensure that children receive a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate education that prepares them for Kindergarten and beyond.

A Strong Start for Future Success

At Ballancrest Academy, we believe that early exposure to science, literacy, and problem-solving fosters the critical thinking skills needed for lifelong success. Our hands-on, research-backed approach ensures that children develop essential academic, cognitive, and social skills in a fun and engaging environment.

Give your child a head start in learning—enroll today and secure their place in our Preschool program!