ELC is a preschool with scientific thinking at its heart. From the earliest years, we nurture scientific thinking in children through inquiry-based learning, helping them build the deep thinking skills to question, reason and understand the world around them.
We believe in the philosophy of science. That rational thinking and reasoning are our best tools to sculpt for ourselves an understanding of the world around us. For us, the beauty of science lies in its ability to question all things including itself. Ideas are proven through reason and rigorous logic. And yet remain open-minded to falsifiability.
We encourage our students to approach their learning, their interactions and their lives with the same drive for reason and rationality. Our students are humble even in their excellence; they are patient in listening to the thoughts of others. We encourage healthy exchanges of ideas that help everyone who is a part of the conversation grow their perspectives on the world around us.
Through inquiry-based learning, they develop the deep thinking skills to question, reason and connect ideas.
“The level of public education in science and technology is an important sign of the national scientific accomplishment. It is a matter of overall importance in economic development, scientific advance, and the progress of society.”
— CARL SAGAN
Our students use mathematics and science as languages to express themselves, not mere subjects they are taught.
Scientific thinking in action: reflections from a teacher at ELC
“While exploring fractions, a seven-year-old noticed that a circle divided into halves corresponds to a straight angle of 180°, and a quarter to a right angle. The child had connected two concepts that had never been presented together. In the same class, another child noticed that fractions with even denominators often simplify into other even-numbered fractions — a pattern no one had pointed out to her.”
Moments like these begin in our preschool classrooms, where children learn to notice, wonder and test their own ideas.
Why does this matter? Children who think scientifically ask better questions, weigh evidence and stay curious long after they leave school. Read our blog, Why Scientific Thinking Matters, to see how these skills shape confident, independent learners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inquiry-based learning is an approach where children learn by asking questions, exploring, testing ideas and drawing their own conclusions, rather than only receiving answers.
Inquiry-based learning is an approach where children learn by asking questions, exploring, testing ideas and drawing their own conclusions, rather than only receiving answers.
Children are encouraged to reason, listen to other perspectives and explain their thinking. Mathematics and science are used as languages for expression, not just subjects to be taught.
Early exposure to questioning, observation and reasoning helps children become curious, patient and open-minded learners.