Cosmic Education
In Ms. Rachel's Cosmic Class, PMA students are introduced to Dr. Maria Montessori's ideas of Cosmic Education. Inspired by “The Great Lessons”, students will conduct and record experiments that explore the wonders of the universe. The Montessori Method embraces the belief that, “imagination does not become great until human beings, given the courage and the strength, use it to create.”
Cosmic Education centers on the encouragement of integrated learning and the empowerment of children's natural curiosity. During our weekly class time, students are given a complete work period to explore a variety of lessons from across the Montessori curriculum. While conducting science experiments, researching theories, building models and presenting data, they learn important language skills and practice math concepts. We also use tools for our scientific investigations: rulers, beakers, scales, microscopes, and telescopes, just to name a few.
Cosmic's Three Goals - Explore, Experiment, Express
Independent Research
We investigate the Cosmos through the Montessori Great Lessons and explore the paths of curiosity that fill the world around us.
Experiments and Observations
Students engage with specific materials and methods of investigation. Experiments are followed up by lab reports and proposals for future research.
Expand our Understanding
Creative challenges (designing spaceships, creating maps, envisioning inventions) blend individual concentration with personal expression.
Scenes from a day in the life of the cosmic student. Exploring the periodic table with pure element cubes (upper left). Filling a journal with hand-drawn Sun and Earth charts (upper right). Coloring the Early Humans timeline dressed in faux animal hide (lower left). Viewing a living water habitat up close (lower right).
