Science

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students are introduced to the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and applications of science.

Students are encouraged by meaningful examples to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Inquiry based learning is at the heart of Sciences at The British International School of New York. Speakers, field trips, presentations, lab-work, research and interdisciplinary units are vehicles used to drive exploration and depth of learning in the sciences at BIS-NY. Concepts in mathematics, art and technology are all integrated to reinforce the broad reach of the application of science across the world.

Although broad in scope and capturing the essence of the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate and the rigor of the English National Curriculum, students also have the opportunity to extend and enrich the curriculum even further, preparing them for the next stage on their educational journey through science competitions and STEM fairs both nationally and internationally.

STEM Subjects

One significant and explicit example of inquiry in action is the STEM unit where students set out to solve real world problems, big and small, using Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Passion is palpable as students tap into their inner creativity, using interdisciplinary skills. Top inquiries have included designing a school-based smartphone app, examining the effect of multiple building designs during earthquakes, the effect of using SODIS on Manhattan’s East River and what simple and mechanical invention is most effective in moving itself up a string? These inquiries complete a short film to enter international competitions such as COBIS (Council of British International Schools) and have been nominated for and won Best Biology (nomination 2015), Best Physics (nomination 2014) and Best Scientific Investigation (winner 2014). Year 9 also qualify to enter the Google Science Fair, a global on-line competition.

Where possible students are encouraged to extend and enrich the curriculum even further, to explore scientific applications beyond the curriculum, giving them access to the richness of science to be found in all aspects of today's world.

The world is but a school of inquiry 

MICHEL DE MONTAIGNE