Elementary Grades

Science gets messy and meaningful at Hilldale School

02-21-2025

Year 1 and Year 6 students get hands-on with soil ecosystems, food chains, and decomposers in a cross-curricular science project exploring the hidden world beneath our feet.

At Hilldale School, science is hands-on, thought-provoking, and sometimes a little messy. Our 1st and 6th grade students have been digging deep into the world of soil, the food chain, and even cockroaches. They discovered that soil isn’t just dirt, it’s a living ecosystem full of organisms that support plant growth and nourish all life. Students also learned how cockroaches act as vital decomposers, recycling nutrients and supporting biodiversity. From soil samples to surprising facts about bugs, this unit sparked curiosity and a deeper understanding of our role in nature’s interconnected web. Real science, real learning in Hilldale style.

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