SCIENCE

CURRICULUM | MISSION GOALS | CONTESTS  & COLLEGES | WHAT’S NEW

University Middle School: Hot-air balloon demonstration.

The Irvington Public School’s Department of Science and Engineering are determined to go beyond talk and foster real change through comprehensive climate change education. Guided by the New Jersey Department of Education’s climate change initiative, our Science Department is dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Our commitment to climate education is driven by a fundamental question: “WHY does it matter?” Our “WHY” is rooted in the belief that understanding and addressing climate change is crucial for the health and future of our planet. We aim to nurture a deep sense of purpose in our students, instilling in them the knowledge that their actions can contribute to meaningful solutions. Our goal is to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards who are not only aware of climate issues but also actively engaged in making a difference.

Aligned with the New Jersey Department of Education’s climate change standards, our curriculum integrates climate science into every aspect of learning. We make it happen by incorporating foundational climate science where students explore the principles of climate science, including the greenhouse effect, carbon cycles, and the impact of human activities on the climate. We emphasize the importance of data in understanding climate change and challenge students to use models, interpret data trends, and use scientific tools to predict future climate scenarios. Our courses examine the effects of climate change on ecosystems, weather patterns, and communities using case studies and real-world examples. We aim to foster community awareness through the Air Quality Monitoring program at Irvington High School and offer opportunities for experiential learning at the Meadowlands Environment Center and The Great Swamp in cooperation with our partners at Students 2 Science and the Ramapo College of New Jersey Climate Change Learning Collaborative.

Finally, we empower our students to take leadership roles in environmental advocacy and prepare them for continued learning in climate science, encouraging them to pursue higher education and careers in environmental fields.

At Irvington Public Schools, we are committed to transforming climate change education from conversation into action. By nurturing our students’ understanding and passion, we equip them to tackle climate challenges with confidence and innovation. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a sustainable future and ensure that our collective actions make a positive impact on the world.

The Irvington Public Schools Science Department is honored to continue partnering with others that share a commitment to fostering STEM education and motivating our students to consider STEM occupations. We are most proud to offer dual enrollment courses through our agreements with Essex County College (ECC) and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). We appreciate our continuing partnership with Students 2 Science, the Amercian Chemical Society, and Project Lead the Way; we welcome SIEMENS in support of our engineering program; and further experiences provided through the Meadowlands Environment Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), and Liberty Science Center; and acknowledge the Exelon Corporation for its previous support in establishing the district’s first engineering course. These organizations, bound by a shared commitment with the district, are moving us toward our mission in producing a student body that is scientifically literate, ethically aware, confident, motivated, and prepared as consumers and producers of scientific knowledge.