SCIENCE/STEM

At My City School our award winning STEM program utilizes inquiry based approaches to learning. We use a hands on, interactive model of learning that centers students' interests and strengths. By focusing on the process of actually doing science we give students the skills and experience to think, question, and engage like true scientists. Our ongoing focus on engineering leveraging established techniques including Design Thinking and the Engineering Design Process empowers students to apply their scientific knowledge while exploring solutions to real world problems.

  • Engage with leading scientific institutions and community resources

  • Develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments

  • Analyze data, and communicate findings

  • Build conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills

  • Utilize the NGSS Integrated Model which blends topics across every grade level

    • Physical Sciences

    • Earth and Space Sciences

    • Engineering Design

Grades 4-8
Next generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Grounded in NGSS, our program provides students with the support needed to engage deeply in the practice of science, rather than simply memorizing scientific facts. What makes our program exceptional is its integration and application.

For over a decade, My City School students have consistently excelled in the San Francisco Science Fair, demonstrating not only mastery of scientific concepts, but the ability to apply them creatively and independently.

SAn FRANCISCO SCIENCE FAIR

  • Intro to Data Collection and Analysis Project

  • Science Fair

  • SPARK: Human Impacts Project

Major Projects

At My City School, science is not taught in isolation; it is interwoven with math, writing, reading, and social studies. Our focus on fostering critical thinking and looking across traditional academic boundaries allows students to apply foundational skills in meaningful, project-based contexts and transforms San Francisco into a living laboratory for exploration and discovery. 

  • "Our hypothesis is that dogs like wet food better than dry food."

  • "This year, I made sure to keep track of my data"

  • "Making the presentation was my favorite part!"."

Middle School Curriculum Topics

6th Grade

  • Intro to engineering design & science

  • Introduction to Observation

  • Earth Systems: Water

  • Unit 2 - Structure and Function of Systems

  • Unit 3 Growth Development and Reproductive Systems

  • Unit 4 - Weather, Climate and Earth's systems

  • Humans and Their Impact on Earth & Engineering

  • SPARK Project

  • Engineering design

7th Grade

  • Section 1 - Living and Nonliving things are made of Atoms

  • Structure and properties of matter

  • Chemical Reactions

  • Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems

  • MS Interdependent relationships in Ecosystems (Eco System Dynamics Functioning and Resilience)

  • MS History of Earth (Role of water in Earth's surface process)

  • MS Earth's Systems

  • SPARK Human Impacts

  • Engineering design

8th Grade

We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.