In grades K–5, Central Bucks uses Discovery Education Mystery Science as the core elementary science program. This program is aligned to the Pennsylvania STEELS Standards and is designed to build students’ curiosity about the natural world through engaging, hands‑on learning experiences.

Instruction is organized around real‑world phenomena and meaningful questions that encourage students to think deeply about how and why things happen. Across grades K–5, students regularly observe, wonder, discuss, write, and experiment as they develop foundational scientific knowledge and practices.

The table below outlines the science topics taught at each grade level, ensuring a coherent progression of ideas and skills across the elementary years.

K–5 Science Topics

Grade	Life Science	Physical Science	Earth & Space Science
K	Animal & Plant Needs	Sunlight & Warmth; Pushes & Pulls	Severe Weather; Weather Patterns
1	Animal Traits & Survival; Plant Traits & Survival	Light, Sound, & Communication	Day Patterns; Night Patterns
2	Animal Biodiversity; Plant Adaptations	Material Properties; States of Matter	Erosion & Earth’s Surface
3	Fossils & Changing Environments; Life Cycles; Heredity, Survival, & Selection	Forces, Motion & Magnets	Weather & Climate
4	Human Body, Vision, & Brain; Animal & Plant Adaptations	Sound, Waves & Communication; Energy & Energy Transfer; Electricity, Light, & Heat	Earth’s Features & Processes
5	Ecosystems & Food Webs; Peace Valley Field Trip	Matter & Chemical Reactions	Water Cycles & Earth’s Systems; Earth & Space Patterns; Stars & Planets