Scientists in our community
Students meet scientists and inventors who live and work in New Mexico. They learn that people from many backgrounds help build the tools and ideas we use every day.
What does a student learn in
First grade is the year students start acting like real scientists, asking questions about the world and gathering information to answer them. They learn that science is done by people from every background working together, including scientists right here at home. By spring, students can name a few ways people use science and technology in everyday life and explain that anyone can grow up to be a scientist.
- How scientists work
- Asking questions
- Science in daily life
- People in science
- Local history
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
How people work together
Students look at how teams of men and women solve problems side by side. They see that one person rarely figures things out alone.
- 3
Stories of discovery
Students hear stories about real New Mexicans who made something new or solved a hard problem. They start to picture themselves as people who can do the same.
- 4
Sharing what we learned
Students talk and draw about the scientists they studied. They explain what those people did and why their work still matters at home and at school.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 1.
Science and Society
Science and Society
-
Obtain information about how men and women of all ethnic and social backgrounds…
1-SS-1.NMStudents learn about real scientists and inventors from New Mexico, including people from different backgrounds, and see how they worked together to make discoveries and build new tools.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Obtain information about how men and women of all ethnic and social backgrounds… | Students learn about real scientists and inventors from New Mexico, including people from different backgrounds, and see how they worked together to make discoveries and build new tools. | 1-SS-1.NM |
Common Questions
What does first grade science look like this year?
Students learn that science is something real people do, including people from many different backgrounds across New Mexico. They hear stories about scientists and inventors, talk about what those people studied, and start to see themselves as someone who can ask questions about the world.
How can I help my child with science at home?
Read picture books or short articles about scientists and inventors together, especially people from New Mexico. Ask simple questions like what the person studied, what problem they wanted to solve, and what tools they used. Ten minutes a few times a week is plenty.
Does my child need to memorize names and dates?
No. The goal is for students to notice that science is done by all kinds of people, not to recite a list. If a child can describe what one or two scientists worked on and why it mattered, that is a strong sign of understanding.
How should I sequence this across the year?
Tie short scientist stories to the science topics already being taught. When the class studies weather, share a weather scientist. When the class studies plants, share a botanist or farmer from New Mexico. That way the people feel connected to the science, not like a separate unit.
Where can I find stories about New Mexico scientists for first graders?
Local libraries, museum websites, and tribal education offices often have short biographies written for young readers. Pueblo agricultural knowledge, Hispanic ranching traditions, and Los Alamos history all give age-appropriate entry points when paired with a picture or short read-aloud.
What is a good way to talk about this at the dinner table?
Ask what science work students heard about that week and who did it. Then share something from family or community life that involves observing, measuring, or fixing things, such as cooking, gardening, or car repair. It helps students see science as part of everyday life.
How do I know students are ready for second grade?
By the end of the year, students should be able to name a scientist or inventor they learned about, say something that person worked on, and explain that scientists come from many backgrounds. Comfort asking questions and looking for answers matters more than facts memorized.