How I’m Using my Science Teacher Skills in Kindergarten And Science Resources in Fort McMurray - By Rajo Abdo

My name is Raja Abdo, and I am a brand-new addition to the teaching profession! In December, I completed both my Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees, and during my student teaching practicums, I had the privilege of working with incredible Grade 11 and 12 students. I absolutely loved teaching those classes and felt confident in my role as a high school science teacher. However, just days after finishing my degree, I was offered a position to teach kindergarten. My initial reaction? Absolutely not! What did I know about teaching kindergarten?

But as the days passed and the position remained open, I found myself reconsidering. Eventually, I decided to take the leap and accept the challenge. Stepping into a kindergarten classroom was a world away from high school, and I knew I had to figure out how to adapt my skills as a science teacher to this new environment. What I quickly realized, though, was that the core principles of great teaching like engagement, inquiry, and hands-on learning, transcend grade levels. My background in science was not only useful but became a powerful tool in shaping the way I approach kindergarten curriculum.

When I was teaching high school science, I quickly realized that the most effective lessons were the ones where students were fully engaged, where they were having fun without necessarily realizing they were learning. Labs and interactive activities often led to the best understanding because students were actively involved in the learning process.  

One of my favorite strategies was an “Odd One Out” activity, where I gave students six photos with no context. Their task was to determine what five of the images had in common and which one didn’t belong. In my Biology 20 class, I used this to reinforce concepts in the respiratory and circulatory systems, helping students analyze similarities and differences without direct instruction. This experience shaped my belief that learning is most powerful when it is inquiry-driven, playful, and hands-on.

Now, as a kindergarten teacher, I’ve found creative ways to adapt these strategies for younger learners. While my students aren’t studying complex biological systems, they are still developing critical thinking and pattern-recognition skills. I modified the "Odd One Out" activity by filling a bag with objects that shared a common characteristic, such as starting with the same letter, except for one item that didn’t fit. My students then had to determine which object was different and why. This simple game mirrors the thought process my high school students used, encouraging logical reasoning, classification, and early literacy skills in a way that feels like play rather than formal instruction.

Similarly, my science background has shaped the way I incorporate hands-on, exploratory learning in my kindergarten classroom. Just as high school students grasped concepts best through experiments, young children also benefit from direct, interactive experiences. A great example of this was a lesson on the importance of hand-washing to prevent the spread of germs. I reached out to our local college and invited nursing students to speak to my class on the subject. They brought in a Glo-Germ kit, which revealed the presence of "germs" on a surface under UV light. Before testing, my students made predictions about how the number of germs would change under different conditions—no washing, washing with water, and washing with soap and water. Working in small groups, they discussed and decided which scenario would leave the most and least germs. This activity not only engaged them but also introduced fundamental scientific thinking by encouraging observation, prediction, and drawing conclusions in a meaningful, hands-on way.

Some may think that earning a Bachelor of Science degree and teaching Grade 11 and 12 students during my student teaching was ‘wasted time’, but I wholeheartedly disagree. The skills I developed as a science teacher are incredibly transferable across all grade levels and have made me a stronger educator. Mastering lesson planning, fostering curiosity, and engaging students through hands-on learning are valuable skills, no matter the age group. While I’m currently teaching kindergarten, I am incredibly grateful for the foundation I built as a science major—it has shaped my teaching approach and allowed me to create meaningful, inquiry-driven learning experiences for my young students.

Here are some science resources that I've found have been very useful in Fort McMurray!

Oil Sands Discovery Centre 
The Oil Sands Discovery Centre is a fantastic resource to engage students in hands-on activities to bring the science curriculum to life. They offer numerous activities and resources for grades K-9 including interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and guided tours that explore the history, science, and technology behind Alberta’s oil sands and more. I plan on taking my kindergarteners there in June to explore what it is like to be an insect! 

Library 
The Wood Buffalo Regional Library is a hidden gem for integrating science into the curriculum. Educators can request customized tours that focus on various subjects, including hands-on STEM activities that bring scientific concepts to life—such as robotics, gardening, and more.
Recently, I took my kindergarten students on a field trip to the library, where they participated in a STEM-inspired organization game. With a timed challenge, they sorted books into categories based on color, shape, and numeric labels, reinforcing early math and classification skills in a fun, interactive way. Like most field trips, the students were 100% engaged, absolutely loved the experience, and are already eager for the next one!

Outside 
Lastly, the cheapest and most accessible learning environment—the outdoors! Whether it’s the playground, school field, or even just outside the classroom in the hallway on one of Fort McMurray’s many freezing days, stepping beyond the classroom walls can be a powerful teaching tool.

One of my favorite low-prep outdoor activities is a scavenger hunt. As a class, we create a list of things to find, sometimes based on themes like colors, shapes, or textures, and other times focused on environments, such as areas where grass is growing or places where animals might live. My students absolutely love these hunts, and I’ve even collaborated with older grades, having their students guide my kindergarteners for a fun, cross-grade learning experience.
There is real value in stepping outside the classroom—students see it as an exhilarating adventure, even if it’s just exploring the schoolyard. A simple change of scenery can spark curiosity, encourage observation, and make learning feel like an exciting discovery!


Local Authors 
Building on the library as a valuable resource, books are another powerful tool for teaching science, and our community is home to many talented local authors. One such author, Brad Sherk, visited our school to read aloud his book, Mr. Keeper's Assistant – The Mystery at the Zoo, and share insights into the writing and publishing process. This experience can seamlessly extend into my classroom, supporting the science curriculum.
We explored different animals and how to identify them based on characteristics such as tracks, physical features, and habitats. We also discussed why animals live in specific environments and brainstormed possible reasons for these adaptations.
There was great value in inviting a guest speaker to our class because it provided students with a real-world connection to literacy and science, exposed them to the creative process behind books, and allowed them to engage with an expert in an interactive way. Guest speakers bring fresh perspectives, inspire curiosity, and make learning feel more authentic and meaningful. This hands-on literacy and science connection made for an engaging and memorable learning experience!

Keyano College
Our local college, Keyano College, is another great resource to use in your class. They offer many different post-secondary programs and have access to professionals and students who are willing to come into the classroom to talk about their discipline. I personally reached out to Keyano’s Nursing Department to have one of their nursing students come in to talk to my students about the spread of germs and the importance of hand washing. 
These are all resources that provide hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and deepen students’ understanding of natural resources, engineering, and environmental science.