Students learn best in science when they have a skilled and knowledgeable science teacher combined with access to high quality instructional materials. Together, these two factors, support what is nowadays termed, standards-based teaching. Standards based science teaching involves the selection and appropriate use of instructional materials that explicitly target the important ideas articulated in the national science standards as well as incorporate instructional strategies and activities that are based on current research on learning. Standards-based, or contemporary materials, differ from many traditional textbooks through their use of an inquiry approach or instructional model, such as the Karplus Learning Cycle, 5Es, or Conceptual Change Model. The MMSA provides selection and implementation support for a variety of curriculum programs. Please refer to our consulting services to learn more about the types of support MMSA provides, and check our professional development calendar for workshops and conferences on science curriculum programs, selection, and implementation.

When suitable materials cannot be found, some teachers develop their own instructional units. Curriculum development is quite an involved process. The MMSA provides professional development to teachers who want to learn more about the instructional design process, including the use of an instructional model, content alignment, and effective science teaching strategies. Please check the professional development calendar or our consulting services for more information on instructional design.

The following links provide information on a variety of contemporary, research-based curriculum materials available to schools. These materials range from single supplementary units, to single year programs, to multi-grade level programs.

Elementary Full Year Programs
The inquiry-based programs listed below are research-based full and multi-year science curriculum programs. Many of these programs were developed with support from the National Science Foundation and can be mixed and matched between programs. The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance can provide assistance with curriculum scope and sequence development and articulation, alignment of curricula with MLR's and selected assessments, curricular selection, and implementation support for selected programs. Please check our professional development calendar or listing of consultant services for curriculum support opportunities.

FOSS-Full Option Science (K-6) Kit
Program Description: http://lhsfoss.org/
User's Support Site: http://FOSSweb.com
Developer: Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California- Berkeley http://lhsfoss.org/index.html
Publisher: Delta Education
http://www.delta-education.com/science/foss/index.shtml

STC- Science & Technology for Children (K-6) Kit Program Description: http://www.nsrconline.org/curriculum_resources/units.html
Developer: National Science Resource Center (NSRC) at the Smithsonian
http://www.nsrconline.org/
Publisher: Carolina Biological http://www.carolina.com/stc/

Science Companion (K-4) Kit
Program Description: http://www.sciencecompanion.com/
Developer: Chicago Science Group http://www.chicagoscience.com/
Publisher: Pearson Scott Foresman http://www.chicagoscience.com/

Insights (K-6) Kit
Program Description: http://cse.edc.org/products/curricula/insights.asp
Developer: Education Development Corporation (EDC) http://www.edc.org
Publisher: Kendall Hunt http://www.kendallhunt.com/

T.R.A.C.S.- Teaching Relevant Activities for Concepts and Skills (K-5) Kit
Program Description: http://www.bscs.org/page.asp?pageid=0|31|46|47&id=0|bscs_science_tracs
Developer: BSCS http://www.bscs.org
Publisher: Kendall Hunt http://www.kendallhunt.com/

DASH- Developmental Approaches in Science, Health, and Technology (K-6) Kit
Program Description: http://www.hawaii.edu/crdg/prodev/programs.html#elem
Developer and Publisher: University of Hawaii- Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) http://www.hawaii.edu/crdg/ (note: curriculum cannot be purchased without professional development with certified DASH trainer)

Chemicals, Health, Environment and Me 2 (4-6) Kit
Program Description: http://www.sepuplhs.org/currmat/elem/index.html
Developer: SEPUP, Lawrence Hall of Science: http://www.sepuplhs.org/
Publisher: Lab-aides: http://www.lab-aids.com/home/product_options.asp

Middle School Full Year Programs
The programs listed below are inquiry and research-based full and multi-year science curriculum programs, including kit-based and textbook programs. Programs were selected based on their strong pedagogical model. Several of these programs were developed with support from the National Science Foundation and can be mixed and matched between programs. The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance can provide assistance with curriculum scope and sequence development and articulation, alignment of curricula with MLR's and selected assessments, curricular selection, and implementation support for selected programs. Please check our professional development calendar or listing of consultant services for curriculum support opportunities.

FOSS-Middle School Full Option Science (6-8) Kit
Program Description: http://lhsfoss.org/
User's Support Site: http://FOSSweb.com
Developer: Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California- Berkeley http://lhsfoss.org/index.html
Publisher: Delta Education
http://www.delta-education.com/science/foss/index.shtml

STC/Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (6-8) Kit
Program Description: http://www.nsrconline.org/curriculum_resources/middle_school.html
Developer: National Science Resource Center (NSRC) at the Smithsonian
http://www.nsrconline.org/
Publisher: Carolina Biological http://www.carolina.com/stc/

Science and Technology (6-8) Textbook
Program Description: http://www.bscs.org/page.asp?pageid=0|31|100|303|107&id=0|bscs_science_and_technology
Developer: BSCS http://www.bscs.org
Publisher: Kendall Hunt http://www.kendallhunt.com/

FAST- Foundational Approaches in Science Teaching (6-8) Kit
Program Description: http://www.hawaii.edu/crdg/prodev/programs.html#elem
Developer and Publisher: University of Hawaii- Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) http://www.hawaii.edu/crdg/ (note: curriculum cannot be purchased without professional development with certified FAST trainer)

IES- Investigating Earth Systems (6-8) Modular Text
Program Description: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ies/iesintro.html
Developer: American Geologic Institute http://www.agiweb.org/
Publisher: It's About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/

Interactions in Physical Science (7-8) Textbook
Program Description: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/iaps/iaps.html
Developer: San Diego State University CIPS Project http://cipsproject.sdsu.edu/
Publisher: It's About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/

Science 2000+ (6-8) CD-Rom Text
Program Description: http://www.ddc2000.com/
Developer and Publisher: Decision Development Corporation http://www.ddc2000.com/

CUES- Constructing Understanding of Earth Systems (6-8) Textbook
Program Description: http://www.agiweb.org/education/cues/teachers/index.html
Note: This curriculum is currently in development. Please check back later for release information or visit the site for field test information.

Issues and Earth Science (IAES) (6-8) Kit
Program Description:
Developer: SEPUP, Lawrence Hall of Science: http://www.sepuplhs.org/
Publisher: Lab-aides: http://www.lab-aids.com/home/product_options.asp

Science and Life Issues (SALI) (6-8) Kit
Program Description: http://www.sepuplhs.org/currmat/middle/sali/
Developer: SEPUP, Lawrence Hall of Science: http://www.sepuplhs.org/
Publisher: Lab-aides: http://www.lab-aids.com/home/product_options.asp

Issues, Evidence and You (IEY) (6-8) Kit
Program Description: http://www.sepuplhs.org/currmat/middle/iey/
Developer: SEPUP, Lawrence Hall of Science: http://www.sepuplhs.org/
Publisher: Lab-aides: http://www.lab-aids.com/home/product_options.asp

High School Full Year Programs
The instructional materials listed are research-based science curriculum programs developed to align with the National Science Education Standards. Many of these programs were developed with support from the National Science Foundation. Some programs can be mixed and matched for high school "every science, every year" courses. The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance can provide assistance with curriculum scope and sequence development and articulation, alignment of curricula with MLR's and selected assessments, curricular selection, and implementation support for selected programs. Please check our professional development calendar or listing of consultant services for curriculum support opportunities.


Active Biology- Textbook
Program Description: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ab/ab.html
Developer: Material originally developed from BSCS material http://www.bscs.org
Publisher: It's About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/

Biology- A Human Approach- Textbook
Program Description: http://www.bscs.org/page.asp?pageid=0|31|53|306|83&id=0|bscs_biology:_a_human_approach
Developer: BSCS http://www.bscs.org
Publisher: Kendall Hunt http://www.kendallhunt.com/

BSCS Biology-An Ecological Approach- Textbook
Program Description: http://www.bscs.org/page.asp?pageid=0|31|53|306|54&id=0|bscs_biology:_an_ecological_approach
Developer: BSCS http://www.bscs.org
Publisher: Kendall Hunt http://www.kendallhunt.com/

Biology- A Community Context- Textbook
Program Description: http://www.glencoe.com/catalog/index.php/program?c=16&s=457&p=1628
Developer: William Leonard and John Pennick
Publisher: Glencoe McGraw Hill http://www.glencoe.com

Insights in Biology- Modules
Program Description: http://cse.edc.org/products/curricula/insights_hs.asp
Developer: Education Development Corporation (EDC) http://www.edc.org
Publisher: Kendall Hunt http://www.kendallhunt.com/



Foundations of Physical Science- Textbook Program Description: http://www.cpo.com/tp_fps_entry.shtml
Developer and Publisher: CPO Science http://www.cpo.com/

Active Physics- Modules
Program Description: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ap.html
Developer: Dr. Arthur Eisenkraft and the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics
Publisher: It's About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/

MOP- Minds on Physics- Modules
Program Description: http://umperg.physics.umass.edu/projects/MindsOnPhysics/
Developer: U Mass Physics Education Group http://umperg.physics.umass.edu/about/
Publisher: Publisher: Kendall Hunt http://www.kendallhunt.com/

CPU- Constructing Physics Understanding in a Computer Simulated Environment- CD-Rom
Program Description: http://cpuproject.sdsu.edu
Developer: Fred Goldberg and Team at San Diego State University
Publisher: The Learning Team http://www.learningteam.org



EarthCom-Earth Systems Science in the Community- Modules
Program Description: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ec.html
Developer: American Geologic Institute http://www.agiweb.org/
Publisher: It's About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/

Hands-On Universe- Print, CD-Rom, and Internet
Program Description: http://www.handsonuniverse.org
Developer: Lawrence Hall of Science, TERC, and the Adler Planetarium
Publisher: Lawrence Hall of Science http://www.handsonuniverse.org/for_teachers/materials_pricing.html



CHEMCom- Chemistry in the Community- Textbook and CD-Rom
Program Description: http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=education%5Ccurriculum%5Cchemcom.html
Developer: American Chemical Society http://www.acs.org
Publisher: WH Freeman and Co. http://www.whfreeman.com/

Active Chemistry- Textbook
Program Description: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ac/acintrod.html
Developer: Dr. Art Eisenkraft and Team: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ac/acack.html
Publisher: It's About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/

LBC-Living by Chemistry
Program Description: http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/lbc/LBC_curriculum.html
Note: This curriculum is currently in development. Please check back later for release information or visit the site for field test information.



BSCS Science- An Inquiry Approach- Textbook
Program Description: http://www.bscs.org/page.asp?pageid=0|31|53|306|58&id=0|bscs_science:_an_inquiry_approach
Note: This curriculum is currently in development. Please check back later for release information or visit the site for field test information.

Coordinated Science for the 21st Century - Textbook
Program Description: http://www.its-about-time.com/htmls/coor/coorsci.html
Developer: A collection of 4 NSF-funded curricula (see product description)
Publisher: It's About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/

Investigating Life in the Universe- An Integrated Approach: Astrobiology- Print and Internet
Program Description: http://astrobio.terc.edu
Developer: TERC http://terc.edu
Publisher: TERC http://astrobio.terc.edu

Voyages Through Time- Modules
Program Description: http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org/curriculum/index.html
Developer: SETI Institute http://www.seti.org/site/pp.asp?c=ktJ2J9MMIsE&b=178025
Publisher: SETI Institute http://www.seti.org/site/pp.asp?c=ktJ2J9MMIsE&b=178025

Global Systems Science - Online Modules
Program Description: http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GSS
Developer: Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California- Berkeley http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org
Publisher: Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California- Berkeley http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org

Science and Sustainability (9-12) Kit
Program Description: http://www.sepuplhs.org/currmat/high/
Developer: SEPUP, Lawrence Hall of Science: http://www.sepuplhs.org/
Publisher: Lab-aides: http://www.lab-aids.com/home/product_options.asp

K-12 Supplementary Curricula
Listed below are stand alone modules or units that can be used to supplement existing curricula or provide replacements for selected units.

SEPUP-Science Education for Public Understanding Program (6-12) Kits
Program Description: http://www.sepup.com
Developer: Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California- Berkeley http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/sepup/

ARIES- Astronomy Resources for Intercurricular Elementary Science (3-8) Teacher Manuals
Program Description: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/sed/resources/aries.html
Developer: Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/cfa/sed/
Publisher: Charlesbridge http://www.charlesbridge.com/school/aries.htm

GEMS- Great Explorations in Math and Science (K-9) Teacher Manuals and Optional Kits
Program Description: http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/gems/
Developer: http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org
Publisher: Lawrence Hall of Science http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/gems/

CHEM2- Chemicals, Health, Environment, and Me (5-6) Kit
Program Description: http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/sepup/currmat/elem/index.html
Developer: Developer: Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California- Berkeley http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org
Publisher: Lab Aids http://www.lab-aids.com/home/catalog.asp?Id=14

MITS- Models in Technology and Science (5-8) Teacher Manuals
Program Description: http://cse.edc.org/products/curricula/models.asp
Developer: Dr. Bernie Zubrowski, EDC http://www.edc.org
Publisher: Pitsco http://www.pitsco.com/

GEOKITS (5-9) Teacher Manuals and Multimedia Kits
Program Description: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/education/geokits/
Developer: National Geographic Society http://www.nationalgeographic.com
Publisher: National Geographic School Publishing http://www.ngschoolpub.org/

EBS- Event Based Science (6-9) Student and Teacher Manuals
Program Description: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/eventscience/
Developer: Dr. Russell Wright and Montgomery County (MD) School System
Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall http://www.phschool.com/ebs/

NIH Curriculum Supplements (K-12) Free print teacher's guide and CD-Rom
Program Description: http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements
Developer: BSCS http://www.bscs.org and Videodiscovery http://www.videodiscovery.com
Publisher: National Institutes of Health (NIH) http://www.nih.gov

GETIT-GeoScience Education Through Interactive Technology (6-12) CD-Rom
Program Description: http://www.learningteam.org/htmls/getit.html
Developer: Cambrian Systems http://www.cambriansystems.com
Publisher: The Learning Team http://www.learningteam.org

WebWatchers Science Guides (3-12) online
Program Description: http://sciguides.nsta.org
Developer and Publisher: National Science Teachers Association http://nsta.org

GLOBE (K-12) online
Program Description: http://www.globe.gov/globe_flash.html
Developer and Publisher: The GLOBE Program http://www.globe.gov/globe_flash.html

Virtual Courseware (9-12) online
Program Description: http://www.sciencecourseware.com/
Developer: California State University, Virtual Courseware Project http://www.sciencecourseware.com/
Publisher: California State University, Virtual Courseware Project http://www.sciencecourseware.com/

My World: A Geographic Information System for Learners (7-12) online
Program Description: http://www.geode.northwestern.edu/index.html
Developer: Geode Initiative, Northwestern University: http://www.geode.northwestern.edu/project.htm
Publisher: Geode Initiative, Northwestern University: http://www.geode.northwestern.edu/project.htm

Curricular and Instructional Resource Links

Project 2061 Curriculum Analysis of Middle School Science Textbooks
http://www.project2061.org/publications/textbook/mgsci/report/index.htm

Project 2061 Curriculum Analysis of High School Biology Textbooks
http://www.project2061.org/publications/textbook/hsbio/report/default.htm

NRC Guide to Selecting Instructional Materials
http://www.nap.edu/books/030906533X/html/

Guide to Selecting Computer-Based High School Curricula
http://cse.edc.org/products/selectingcomputerbased/default.asp

EDC Guide to Selecting Middle School Curricula
http://cse.edc.org/pdfs/products/midgrcurric_abr.pdf

EDC Guide to Selecting Challenging Instructional Materials for Middle School Science
http://cse.edc.org/pdfs/products/selectingcurricula.pdf

Article: The Trouble with Textbooks
http://www.project2061.org/publications/articles/articles/asee.htm

Online Science Instructional Materials
http://cse.edc.org/products/onlinecurr/default.asp

Curricular Companion for K-8 Kit-Based Science Programs
http://www.keystone.fi.edu/matrix1.shtml

National Science Teachers Association Bookstore (a variety of curricular and instructional support materials for K-12 science)
http://store.nsta.org