Gold Rush Elementary
Principal's Message - January 30, 2026
One of the things our students love most about learning science is seeing concepts come to life through hands-on experiences. This excitement is evident throughout Gold Rush, where engaging science experiments are happening every day across all grade levels.
All students use the STEMscopes curriculum to study their grade-level science standards. This curriculum is built on the 5E Model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate—which encourages students to investigate key concepts deeply and meaningfully. Experiments and real-world applications are an essential part of the Explore phase and are often students’ favorite part of the learning process.
In fifth grade, students rotate through Life, Physical, and Earth science units. They explore a wide range of topics, such as how air and water support plant growth and the different patterns created by Earth’s orbit. Students brought these concepts to life by observing how different types of seeds grow using water, air, and sunlight only. Students also explored mixtures and solutions as they conducted an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances resulted in a new substance. Students noted that a chemical reaction occurred when a substance emerged with different properties when mixed.
In fourth grade, students recently completed a unit on renewable and nonrenewable resources. Through a safe and guided experiment led by astronomer Mr. Jung, students observed the Sun up close and deepened their understanding of solar energy as a powerful renewable resource we can rely on again and again. Using solar scopes, students were able to view incredible features such as solar prominences and sunspots—an experience that was truly out of this world!
These are just two of many examples of how science comes alive at Gold Rush through hands-on, experiential learning. We are proud of our students’ curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm as they explore the world around them.
