Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 2 Science
A comprehensive inquiry based science program that engages second grade students in hands on exploration of nature and physics. Students develop critical thinking skills through the observation of life cycles, properties of matter, and the dynamic changes of our planet.
01Life Cycles and Growth
Students investigate the diverse ways living things grow and change over time while identifying their basic needs for survival.
Students will observe and compare young animals to their parents, identifying similarities and differences.
Students will observe and document the growth stages of various animals, focusing on observable changes.
Students will explore the concept of metamorphosis by studying the life cycles of insects and amphibians.
Students will identify and describe the functions of different plant parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, seeds).
Students will conduct experiments to determine the essential needs of plants for healthy growth.
Students will investigate various methods plants use to disperse their seeds and ensure reproduction.
Students will explore different habitats and identify the living and non-living components within them.
Students will learn about the flow of energy in an ecosystem by constructing simple food chains and webs.
Students will investigate how plants and animals develop specific adaptations to survive in their environments.
Students will explore how human actions can affect local environments and discuss ways to protect them.
02Properties of Liquids and Solids
An exploration of the physical world where students test and classify materials based on their observable characteristics.
Students will observe and describe the properties of various solid objects, focusing on shape, texture, and hardness.
Students will investigate the properties of liquids, such as their ability to flow and take the shape of their container.
Students will explore the concept of gases, demonstrating that they take up space and have mass, even if invisible.
Students will combine different solids and liquids to create mixtures and observe the results.
Students will investigate which solids dissolve in water and which do not, and explore factors affecting dissolving.
Students will experiment with different methods to separate components of simple mixtures.
Students will observe how heating and cooling can cause reversible changes in materials.
Students will explore changes that cannot be easily reversed, such as burning or cooking.
Students will select appropriate materials based on their properties to solve a design challenge.
Students will learn about the importance of recycling and reusing materials to conserve resources.
03Air and Water in the Environment
Students discover the characteristics of air and water and their vital roles in Earth's weather systems and landscapes.
Students will conduct experiments to demonstrate that air exists, takes up space, and has properties.
Students will explore how air pressure can create movement and lift objects.
Students will identify different sources of water on Earth and discuss their importance.
Students will observe and explain the processes of evaporation and condensation as part of the water cycle.
Students will learn about different forms of precipitation and how water collects on Earth's surface.
Students will use simple tools to observe and record local weather conditions over time.
Students will investigate what causes wind and how its speed and direction can be measured.
Students will identify different types of clouds and associate them with various weather conditions.
Students will explore how weather changes throughout the year and its impact on living things.
Students will design and build structures or tools to protect from different weather conditions.
04Movement and Simple Machines
An introduction to physics focusing on how objects move and how simple tools make work easier.
Students will investigate how pushes and pulls are forces that can make objects move, stop, or change direction.
Students will explore how forces can change the speed and direction of moving objects.
Students will investigate friction as a force that slows down or stops moving objects.
Students will explore gravity as the force that pulls objects towards the Earth.
Students will investigate how levers can be used to lift heavy objects with less effort.
Students will explore how inclined planes (ramps) make it easier to move objects up or down.
Students will investigate how wheels and axles reduce friction and make it easier to move objects.
Students will explore how pulleys can change the direction of a force and make lifting easier.
Students will apply their knowledge of forces and simple machines to design a solution for a specific movement problem.
Students will test their designed solutions, identify areas for improvement, and refine their designs.