Last year the sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade science teachers embarked on the challenging task of selecting a new science curriculum. From numerous excellent options, they ultimately chose the STEMScopes Integrated Science curriculum. The curriculum seamlessly integrates biology, earth science, chemistry and physics, while its foundation lies in the well-structured 5E teaching model – Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate – an approach designed to foster active learning and deepen conceptual understanding.

This academic year students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are immersing themselves in hands-on learning experiences with the introduction of STEMScopes. The program emphasizes engaging activities to enhance learning. In sixth grade, students explore topics such as cells, weather, genetics, and the human impact on the environment. The seventh graders investigate ecosystems, chemical reactions, plate tectonics, and predicting natural hazards. Meanwhile, eighth graders engage with subjects like Newton’s laws of motion, the solar system, galaxy motions, fossil records, and the principles of sound and light waves. These subjects are just a glimpse into the exciting educational journey on which our students are embarking.

Teachers express great satisfaction in the program. Anitress Gray, an eighth-grade science teacher at McBride, appreciates its ability to scaffold learning, support struggling readers and provide a clear activity sequence. Jim Parcha, a sixth-grade science teacher at Owen, praises its user-friendly nature, accessible materials, appropriate pacing, and assessment options. Nicole Barrons, a seventh-grade teacher at McBride, echoes their sentiments, highlighting the program's user-friendliness, rich resources for engagement, ease of differentiation, and compatibility with standards-based grading.

STEMScopes uses the 5E model – Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate – to make science learning engaging and effective. Each lesson starts with an Engage, where students are drawn in with a hook discussing a real-world phenomenon. Then students dive into hands-on activities or an inquiry investigation for the Explore phase. The Explain phase plays an important role in clarifying the discoveries made by students before moving forward.

Teachers can select activities from STEMScopes, including vocabulary exercises, readings, review games, and content connection videos. Teachers seamlessly shift between Explore and Explain, with explores acting as building blocks for student learning. In the Elaborate phase, teachers can combine Elaborate activities with STEMScopes Intervention and Acceleration components, allowing for differentiated learning, addressing individual needs before the Evaluate phase. Here, students review and reflect on their learning, drawing connections between new knowledge and the initial phenomena.