Amplify Science – Oklahoma
Inspiring the next generation of Oklahoma scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is an engaging new core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
Our Instructional Model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Resources to support your review
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena? – ebook
- Phenomena in grades K–5
- Phenomena in grades 6–8
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Active Reading in grades 6–8
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Oklahoma standards correlation for grades K–8
- Program structure for grades K–5
- Program structure for grades 6–8
- Oklahoma recommended scope and sequence for grades 6–8
Remote and hybrid learning supports
Oklahoma remote and hybrid overview video
Amplify has launched a new remote learning solution called Amplify Science@Home. Intended to make extended remote learning and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science@Home includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @Home Videos and @Home Units.
Amplify Science @Home Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home. These videos will be produced for all K–5 units, and for the first four units of each 6–8 grade level. Their release will be rolling, beginning in August.
Amplify Science@Home Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @Home Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. @Home Units will be developed for all Amplify Science K–8 units. Each @Home unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @Home Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available.
- Overviews to send home to families.
Student materials are available in two formats:
- @Home Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home.
- Downloadable @Home Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home.
Download the Remote and hybrid learning guide.
What’s included
Flexible resources that work seamlessly together
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- Record data
- Reflect on ideas from texts and investigations
- Construct explanations and arguments
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and modeling tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- Conduct hands-on investigations
- Engage in active reading and writing activities
- Participate in discussions
- Record observations
- Craft end-of-unit scientific arguments
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- Classroom Slides
- Detailed lesson plans
- Unit and chapter overview documentation
- Differentiation strategies
- Standards alignments
- In-context professional development
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science. Each unit kit contains:
- Consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials
- Print classroom display materials
- Premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.)
Scope and sequence
GRADE |
UNIT |
| Kindergarten |
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| Grade 1 |
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| Grade 2 |
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| Grade 3 |
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| Grade 4 |
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| Grade 5 |
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Grade |
Units |
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Grade 6 |
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Grade 7 |
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Grade 8 |
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Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science coverage
Amplify Science was designed from the ground up to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (OASS) are closely aligned to the NGSS at K-8. The guidance below is meant to provide support for integrating additional activities that support full coverage of the OASS. You can view the full K–8 OASS correlation here.
Organized by grade level, each section below will outline:
- additional activities that support 100% alignment to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science;
- the standard being addressed with the activities;
- the recommended placement of the activities within a specific Amplify Science unit; and
- PDFs of any accompanying materials that are necessary to implement the activities.
Standard: 1.ESS3.1: Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
Recommended placement: Animal and Plant Defenses unit, Chapter 1
Materials: The Student Book Investigating Monarchs from the unit Needs of Plants and Animals
Investigating Monarchs emphasizes the needs of monarch caterpillars and butterflies and shows what happens when these animals are not able to meet their needs. The book first introduces the life cycle of monarchs, explaining that monarch caterpillars must eat milkweed to survive and change into butterflies. Their summer habitat must have milkweed. The butterflies then migrate a long distance, from the United States to a forest in the mountains of Mexico, where they take shelter in the trees. Their winter habitat must have trees. Scientists discovered that the monarch population in Mexico was greatly reduced because people were cutting down the trees. The forest was then protected, but the monarch population did not recover as expected. Scientists in the United States found evidence that this was because fields with milkweed are being replaced by farms and buildings. This book could be read with the class either before or after Chapter 1 of the Animal and Plant Defenses unit, which focuses on what plants and animals need to do to survive. Students could be asked to reflect on what the monarchs need to survive (including food and shelter), and how human activities impacted the monarchs’ ability to meet those needs. After reading the book, students could brainstorm ideas for how to reduce the impact of humans on the local environment.
Standard: MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
Recommended placement: Metabolism unit, Lesson 3.3, addition to Activity 5
Materials: “What Eyes Can See” science article
As students investigate metabolism and the body systems, the article “What Eyes Can See” should be assigned to deepen their understanding of information processing and sense receptors and connect that understanding to the emerging idea of the interaction of waves with various materials. The article explores how the only thing we can really see is light. Light travels from a light source to the eye, passing through some materials and bouncing off others. Tiny organs inside the eye called rods and cones absorb energy from light, making vision possible. These interactions between light and materials determine our visible world.
Instructions:
Download the PDF “What Eyes Can See” above and remind students of the Active Reading Guidelines. Before students read the article, invite them to share prior experiences. For example, “Have you ever had an experience where something looked different in one kind of light than in another kind of light? Or where something seemed to appear or disappear when the light changed?”
Standard: MS-PS3-1: Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object.
Recommended placement: Harnessing Human Energy unit, Lesson 1.4, after Activity 4
Materials: Force and Motion Simulation; Activity instructions and copymasters
In this activity, students use the Force and Motion Simulation to investigate the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and velocity.
Instructions
Download the PDF linked above for the Lesson Guide and copymasters needed for the activity. Note that this investigation is typically implemented during the Force and Motion unit. This means the Lesson Guide will contain some incongruous labeling (e.g., unit name), as well as instructions that are out of context and unnecessary for the purposes of addressing this standard at grade 7. We suggest skipping to step 4 of the Instructional Guide to avoid some of this. Your students will get additional exposure to this activity, and indeed the standard as a whole, when they get to the Force and Motion unit in grade 8.
Standards:
- MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
- MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
Recommended placement: Force and Motion unit, after Lesson 1.5
Materials: Flextension PDF
This hands-on activity builds on and reinforces students’ understanding of forces that act at a distance, with a focus on electrostatic force. Students explore electrostatic forces, prompted by a set of challenges that they try to accomplish. Next, students generate scientific questions based on their observations. Electrostatic force is less predictable and consistent than magnetic force, and investigating it can be both challenging and intriguing. The purpose of this lesson is for students to gain firsthand experience with electrostatic force and to gain experience generating scientific questions based on observations. You might choose to include this Flextension if you would like your students to have more exposure to electrostatic force, and if you would like to challenge your students to explore and ask questions about a challenging type of force.
Instructions:
Download the PDF linked above for a detailed Lesson Guide and the copymasters associated with the activity. Note that this activity is typically implemented as an add-on Flextension during the Magnetic Fields unit. This means that you will see some information that is out of context (e.g., placement information, unit title), but the activity itself also works for the purposes of the Force and Motion unit. If you have any questions, please reach out to our support team via the chat icon in your account or help@amplify.com.
Explore the Digital Teacher’s Guide
When you’re ready to review, click the orange button below and use your provided login credentials to access the Amplify Science Digital Teacher’s Guide.
To help familiarize yourself with navigating the digital Teacher’s Guide, watch our navigational guide videos:
Grades K–5:
Grades 6–8:
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969
For less urgent questions:
Contact us
Contact your South Carolina team representatives:
Jeff Rutter
Field Manager
jrutter@amplify.com
(727) 512-8440
Cathy McMillan
Senior Account Executive
cmcmillan@amplify.com
(904) 465-9904
Inspiring the next generation of Oklahoma scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is an engaging new core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit—from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full-class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation and, importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Oklahoma Instructional Samplers
Video: Oklahoma Spotlight on All Learners (SPED, G & T, EL, DEI)
Resources to support your review
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena? – ebook
- Phenomena in grades K–5
- Phenomena in grades 6–8
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Active Reading in grades 6–8
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Oklahoma standards correlation for grades K–8
- Program structure for grades K–5
- Program structure for grades 6–8
- Oklahoma recommended scope and sequence for grades 6–8
Remote and hybrid learning support
Oklahoma Spotlight Video: Remote and Hybrid Learning
Amplify has launched a new remote learning solution called Amplify Science @Home. Intended to make extended remote learning and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science@Home includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @Home Videos and @Home Units.
Amplify Science @Home Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home. These videos will be produced for all K–5 units, and for the first four units of each 6–8 grade level. Their release will be rolling, beginning in August 2021.
Amplify Science@Home Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @Home Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. @Home Units will be developed for all Amplify Science K–8 units. Each @Home unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @Home Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available.
- Overviews to send home to families.
Student materials are available in two formats:
- @Home Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home.
- Downloadable @Home Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home.
Download the remote and hybrid learning guide.
What’s included
Flexible resources that work seamlessly together
Oklahoma Spotlight Video: Instructional Resources: More than a textbook!
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- record data.
- reflect on ideas from texts and investigations.
- construct explanations and arguments.
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and modeling tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- conduct hands-on investigations.
- engage in active reading and writing activities.
- participate in discussions.
- record observations.
- craft end-of-unit scientific arguments.
Oklahoma Spotlight Video: Spotlight on Simulations
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- Classroom Slides.
- detailed lesson plans.
- unit and chapter overview documentation.
- differentiation strategies.
- standards alignments.
- in-context professional development.
Oklahoma Spotlight Video: Classroom Slides
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science. Each unit kit contains:
- consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials.
- print classroom display materials.
- premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc).
Scope and sequence
GRADE
UNITS
Kindergarten
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
GRADE
UNITS
Grade 6
- Launch: Microbiome
- Metabolism
- Plate Motion
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship
- Rock Transformations
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
Grade 7
- Launch: Harnessing Human Energy
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter Energy and Ecosystems
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
- Magnetic Fields
Grade 8
- Launch: Geology on Mars
- Force and Motion
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Traits and Reproduction
- Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science coverage
Amplify Science was designed from the ground up to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (OASS) are closely aligned to the NGSS at K–8. The guidance below is meant to provide support for integrating additional activities that support full coverage of the OASS. You can view the full K–8 OASS correlation here.
Organized by grade level, each section below will outline:
- additional activities that support 100% alignment to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science;
- the standard being addressed with the activities;
- the recommended placement of the activities within a specific Amplify Science unit; and
- PDFs of any accompanying materials that are necessary to implement the activities.
Standard: 1.ESS3.1: Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
Recommended placement: Animal and Plant Defenses unit, Chapter 1
Materials: The Student Book Investigating Monarchs from the unit Needs of Plants and Animals
Investigating Monarchs emphasizes the needs of monarch caterpillars and butterflies and shows what happens when these animals are not able to meet their needs. The book first introduces the life cycle of monarchs, explaining that monarch caterpillars must eat milkweed to survive and change into butterflies. Their summer habitat must have milkweed. The butterflies then migrate a long distance, from the United States to a forest in the mountains of Mexico, where they take shelter in the trees. Their winter habitat must have trees. Scientists discovered that the monarch population in Mexico was greatly reduced because people were cutting down the trees. The forest was then protected, but the monarch population did not recover as expected. Scientists in the United States found evidence that this was because fields with milkweed are being replaced by farms and buildings. This book could be read with the class either before or after Chapter 1 of the Animal and Plant Defenses unit, which focuses on what plants and animals need to do to survive. Students could be asked to reflect on what the monarchs need to survive (including food and shelter), and how human activities impacted the monarchs’ ability to meet those needs. After reading the book, students could brainstorm ideas for how to reduce the impact of humans on the local environment.
Standard: MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
Recommended placement: Metabolism unit, Lesson 3.3, addition to Activity 5
Materials: “What Eyes Can See” science article
As students investigate metabolism and the body systems, the article “What Eyes Can See” should be assigned to deepen their understanding of information processing and sense receptors and connect that understanding to the emerging idea of the interaction of waves with various materials. The article explores how the only thing we can really see is light. Light travels from a light source to the eye, passing through some materials and bouncing off others. Tiny organs inside the eye called rods and cones absorb energy from light, making vision possible. These interactions between light and materials determine our visible world.
Instructions:
Download the PDF “What Eyes Can See” above and remind students of the Active Reading guidelines. Before students read the article, invite them to share prior experiences. For example, “Have you ever had an experience where something looked different in one kind of light than in another kind of light? Or where something seemed to appear or disappear when the light changed?”
Standard: MS-PS3-1: Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object.
Recommended placement: Harnessing Human Energy unit, Lesson 1.4, after Activity 4
Materials: Force and Motion simulation; Activity instructions and copymasters
In this activity, students use the Force and Motion Simulation to investigate the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and velocity.
Instructions
Download the PDF linked above for the Lesson Guide and copymasters needed for the activity. Note that this investigation is typically implemented during the Force and Motion unit. This means the Lesson Guide will contain some incongruous labeling (e.g., unit name), as well as instructions that are out of context and unnecessary for the purposes of addressing this standard at grade 7. We suggest skipping to step 4 of the Instructional Guide to avoid some of this. Your students will get additional exposure to this activity, and indeed the standard as a whole, when they get to the Force and Motion unit in grade 8.
Standards:
- MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
- MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
Recommended placement: Force and Motion unit, after Lesson 1.5
Materials: Flextension PDF
This hands-on activity builds on and reinforces students’ understanding of forces that act at a distance, with a focus on electrostatic force. Students explore electrostatic forces, prompted by a set of challenges that they try to accomplish. Next, students generate scientific questions based on their observations. Electrostatic force is less predictable and consistent than magnetic force, and investigating it can be both challenging and intriguing. The purpose of this lesson is for students to gain firsthand experience with electrostatic force and to gain experience generating scientific questions based on observations. You might choose to include this Flextension if you would like your students to have more exposure to electrostatic force, and if you would like to challenge your students to explore and ask questions about a challenging type of force.
Instructions:
Download the PDF linked above for a detailed Lesson Guide and the copymasters associated with the activity. Note that this activity is typically implemented as an add-on Flextension during the Magnetic Fields unit. This means that you will see some information that is out of context (e.g., placement information, unit title), but the activity itself also works for the purposes of the Force and Motion unit. If you have any questions, please reach out to our support team via the chat icon in your account or help@amplify.com.
Explore the Digital Teacher’s Guide
When you’re ready to review, click the orange button below and use your provided login credentials to access the Amplify Science Digital Teacher’s Guide.
To help familiarize yourself with navigating the digital Teacher’s Guide, watch our navigational guide videos:
Grades K–5:
Grades 6–8:
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We’ve developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans.
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials.
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs.
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more.
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program.
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969.
For less urgent questions:
Contact us
Contact your Oklahoma representative:
Julie Godfrey
Account Executive
jgodfrey@amplify.com
(817) 360-0527
Welcome!
Amplify Science: California Edition is an immersive and engaging core curriculum authored by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and built specifically for the NGSS.
K–8 Integrated Course Model
Needs of Plants and Animals
- Needs of Plants and Animals: Milkweed and Monarchs Investigation Notebook
- Science Walk
- Handbook of Plants
- Investigating Monarchs
- A Plant in the Desert
- Above and Below
- What Does a Scientist Look Like?
Pushes and Pulls
- Pushes and Pulls: Designing a Pinball Machine Investigation Notebook
- Talking About Forces
- A Busy Day in Pushville
- Room 4 Solves a Problem
- Forces in Ball Games
- Building with Forces
Sunlight and Weather
Animal and Plant Defenses
- Animal and Plant Defenses: Spikes, Shells, and Camouflage Investigation Notebook
- Whose Lunch Is This?
- Tortoise Parts
- Parents and Offspring
- Frog Models
- Spikes, Spines, and Shells: A Handbook of Defenses
Light and Sound
- Light and Sound: Puppet-Theater Engineers Investigation Notebook
- Let’s Test!
- Engineering with Light and Sound
- Can You See in the Dark?
- What Vibrates?
- What Made This Shadow?
Spinning Earth
Plant and Animal Relationships
- Plant and Animal Relationships: Investigating Systems in a Bengali Forest Investigation Notebook
- My Nature Notebook
- A Plant Is a System
- Habitat Scientist
- Investigating Seeds
- Handbook of Habitats
Properties of Materials
- Properties of Materials: Designing Glue Investigation Notebook
- Jelly Bean Engineer
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Handbook of Interesting Ingredients
- Jess Makes Hair Gel
- Can You Change It Back?
- Ideas and Inventors
Changing Landforms
Balancing Forces
- Balancing Forces: Investigating Floating Trains Investigation Notebook
- Forces All Around
- What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
- Hoverboard
- Explaining a Bridge
- Handbook of Forces
Environments and Survival
- Environments and Survival: Snails, Robots, and Biomimicry Investigation Notebook
- Scorpion Scientist
- How the Sparrow Learned Its Song
- Handbook of Traits
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- The Code
- Who Thinks About Structure?
Inheritance and Traits
- Inheritance and Traits: Variation in Wolves Investigation Notebook
- Earthworms Underground
- Mystery Mouths
- Environment News
- Cockroach Robots
- Biomimicry Handbook
Weather and Climate
Energy Conversions
- Energy Conversions: Blackout in Ergstown Investigation Notebook
- Energy Past and Present
- Sunlight and Showers
- Blackout!
- It’s All Energy
- Who Thinks About Systems
- Systems
Earth’s Features
- Earth’s Features: Mystery in Desert Rocks Canyon Investigation Notebook
- Clues from the Past
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Rocky Wonders
- Fossil Hunter’s Handbook
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
Vision and Light
- Vision and Light: Investigating Animal Eyes Investigation Notebook
- Investigating Animal Senses
- I See What You Mean
- Crow Scientist
- Seeing Like a Shrimp and Smelling Like a Snake
- Handbook of Animal Eyes
Waves, Energy, and Information
Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Patterns of Earth and Sky: Analyzing Stars on Ancient Artifacts Investigation Notebook
- How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
- Which Way Is Up?
- Dog Days of Summer
- Star Scientist
- Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Restoration: Matter and Energy in a Rain Forest Investigation Notebook
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Walk in the Woods
- Energy Makes It All Go
- Restoration Case Studies
- Why Do Scientists Argue?
The Earth System
- The Earth System: Investigating Water Shortages Investigation Notebook
- Chemical Reactions Everywhere
- Water Shortages, Water Solutions
- Drinking Cleopatra’s Tears
- Engineering Clean Water
- How the Earth System Explains Dinosaur Extinction
- Water Encyclopedia
Modeling Matter
Grades 6–8 Integrated Model
- Microbiome Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism: Making the Diagnosis Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism Engineering Internship: Health Bars for Disaster Relief Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Traits and Reproduction: The Genetics of Spider Silk Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Thermal Energy: Using Water to Heat a School Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate: Cold Years in New Zealand Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Weather Patterns: Severe Storms in Galetown Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate: Vanishing Ice Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship: Rooftops for Sustainable Cities Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Geology on Mars Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion: Mystery of the Mesosaurus Fossils Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship: Tsunami Warning Systems Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Rock Transformations: Geologic Puzzle of the Rockies and Great Plains Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change: Titan’s Disappearing Lakes Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change Engineering Internship: Portable Baby Incubators Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Chemical Reactions: Mysterious Substance in Westfield’s Water Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Populations and Resources: Too Many Moon Jellies Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Biodome Collapse Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Harnessing Human Energy Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion: Docking Failure in Space Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship: Pods for Emergency Supplies Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Magnetic Fields: Launching a Spacecraft Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Light Waves: Skin Cancer in Australia Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth, Moon, and Sun: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection: Poisonous Newts Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship: Fighting Drug-Resistant Malaria Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Evolutionary History: Advising a Paleontology Museum Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Grades 6–8 Discipline Specific Model
- Geology on Mars Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion: Mystery of the Mesosaurus Fossils Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship: Tsunami Warning Systems Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Rock Transformations: Geologic Puzzle of the Rockies and Great Plains Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth, Moon, and Sun: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate: Cold Years in New Zealand Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Weather Patterns: Severe Storms in Galetown Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate: Vanishing Ice Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship: Rooftops for Sustainable Cities Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Microbiome Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism: Making the Diagnosis Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism Engineering Internship: Health Bars for Disaster Relief Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Traits and Reproduction: The Genetics of Spider Silk Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Populations and Resources: Too Many Moon Jellies Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Biodome Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection: Poisonous Newts Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship: Fighting Drug-Resistant Malaria Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Evolutionary History: Advising a Paleontology Museum Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Harnessing Human Energy Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion: Docking Failure in Space Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship: Pods for Emergency Supplies Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Magnetic Fields: Launching a Spacecraft Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Thermal Energy: Using Water to Heat a School Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change: Titan’s Disappearing Lakes Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change Engineering Internship: Portable Baby Incubators Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Chemical Reactions: Mysterious Substance in Westfield’s Water Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Light Waves: Skin Cancer in Australia Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Amplify Science
A new core curriculum designed from the ground up for the NGSS.
Preview the Student Books and Student Investigation Notebooks
Needs of Plants and Animals
- Needs of Plants and Animals: Milkweed and Monarchs Investigation Notebook
- Science Walk
- Handbook of Plants
- Investigating Monarchs
- A Plant in the Desert
- Above and Below
Pushes and Pulls
- Pushes and Pulls: Designing a Pinball Machine Investigation Notebook
- Talking About Forces
- A Busy Day in Pushville
- Room 4 Solves a Problem
- Forces in Ball Games
- Building With Forces
Sunlight and Weather
Animal and Plant Defenses
- Animal and Plant Defenses: Spikes, Shells, and Camouflage Investigation Notebook
- Whose Lunch Is This?
- Tortoise Parts
- Parents and Offspring
- Frog Models
- Spikes, Spines, and Shells
Light and Sound
- Light and Sound: Puppet-Theater Engineers Investigation Notebook
- Let’s Test!
- Engineering with Light and Sound
- Can You See in the Dark?
- What Vibrates?
- What Made This Shadow?
Spinning Earth
Plant and Animal Relationships
- Plant and Animal Relationships: Investigating Systems in a Bengali Forest Investigation Notebook
- My Nature Notebook
- A Plant is a System
- Habitat Scientist
- Investigating Seeds
- Handbook of Habitats
Properties of Materials
- Properties of Materials: Designing Glue Investigation Notebook
- Jelly Bean Engineer
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Handbook of Interesting Ingredients
- Jess Makes Hair Gel
- Can You Change It Back?
Changing Landforms
Balancing Forces
- Balancing Forces: Investigating Floating Trains Investigation Notebook
- Forces All Around
- What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
- Hoverboard
- Explaining a Bridge
- Handbook of Forces
Environments and Survival
- Environments and Survival: Snails, Robots, and Biomimicry Investigation Notebook
- Earthworms Underground
- Mystery Mouths
- Environment News
- Cockroach Robots
- Biomimicry Handbook
Inheritance and Traits
- Inheritance and Traits: Variation in Wolves Investigation Notebook
- Scorpion Scientist
- How the Sparrow Learned Its Song
- Handbook of Traits
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- The Code
Weather and Climate
Energy Conversions
- Energy Conversions: Blackout in Ergstown Investigation Notebook
- Energy Past and Present
- Sunlight and Showers
- Blackout
- It’s All Energy
- Systems
Earth’s Features
- Earth’s Features: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook
- Clues From The Past
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Rocky Wonders
- Fossil Hunter’s Handbook
Vision and Light
- Vision and Light: Investigating Animal Eyes Investigation Notebook
- Investigating Animal Senses
- I See What You Mean
- Crow Scientist
- Seeing Like a Shrimp and Smelling Like a Snake
- Handbook of Animal Eyes
Waves, Energy, and Information
Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Patterns of Earth and Sky: Analyzing Stars on Ancient Artifacts Investigation Notebook
- How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
- Which Way Is Up?
- Dog Days of Summer
- Star Scientist
- Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Restoration: Matter and Energy in a Rain Forest Investigation Notebook
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Walk in the Woods
- Energy Makes It All Go
- Restoration Case Studies
- Why Do Scientists Argue?
The Earth System
- The Earth System: Investigating Water Shortages Investigation Notebook
- Chemical Reactions Everywhere
- Water Shortages, Water Solutions
- Drinking Cleopatra’s Tears
- Engineering Clean Water
- How the Earth System Explains Dinosaur Extinction
- Water Encyclopedia
Modeling Matter
Grades 6–8 Integrated Model
- Microbiome Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism: Making the Diagnosis Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism Engineering Internship: Health Bars for Disaster Relief Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Traits and Reproduction: The Genetics of Spider Silk Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Thermal Energy: Using Water to Heat a School Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate: Cold Years in New Zealand Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Weather Patterns: Severe Storms in Galetown Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate: Vanishing Ice Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship: Rooftops for Sustainable Cities Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Geology on Mars Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion: Mystery of the Mesosaurus Fossils Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship: Tsunami Warning Systems Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Rock Transformations: Geologic Puzzle of the Rockies and Great Plains Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change: Titan’s Disappearing Lakes Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change Engineering Internship: Portable Baby Incubators Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Chemical Reactions: Mysterious Substance in Westfield’s Water Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Populations and Resources: Too Many Moon Jellies Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Biodome Collapse Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Harnessing Human Energy Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion: Docking Failure in Space Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship: Pods for Emergency Supplies Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Magnetic Fields: Launching a Spacecraft Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Light Waves: Skin Cancer in Australia Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth, Moon, and Sun: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection: Poisonous Newts Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship: Fighting Drug-Resistant Malaria Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Evolutionary History: Advising a Paleontology Museum Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Spanish Student Books and Student Investigation Notebooks
Kindergarten
- Science Walk
- Talking About Forces
- What Is the Weather Like Today?
- Pushes and Pulls Investigation Notebook
Grade 1
Grade 2
- Landform Postcards
- My Nature Notebook
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Changing Landforms Investigation Notebook
Grade 3
- Sky Notebook
- Hoverboard
- Cockroach Robots
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- Balancing Forces Investigation Notebook
Grade 4
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Blackout!
- Investigating Animal Senses
- Warning: Tsunami!
- Energy Conversions Investigation Notebook
Grade 5
- Engineering Clean Water
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Made of Matter
- How Big is Big?
- Ecosystem Restoration Investigation Notebook
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Kindergarten
Needs of Plants and Animals
- Needs of Plants and Animals: Milkweed and Monarchs Investigation Notebook
- Science Walk
- Handbook of Plants
- Investigating Monarchs
- A Plant in the Desert
- Above and Below
Pushes and Pulls
- Pushes and Pulls: Designing a Pinball Machine Investigation Notebook
- Talking About Forces
- A Busy Day in Pushville
- Room 4 Solves a Problem
- Forces in Ball Games
- Building With Forces
Sunlight and Weather
- Sunlight and Weather: Solving Playground Problems Investigation Notebook
- Handbook of Models
- Cool People in Hot Places
- Tornado! Predicting Severe Weather
- What Is the Weather Like Today?
- Getting Warm in the Sunlight
Grade 1
Animal and Plant Defenses
- Animal and Plant Defenses: Spikes, Shells, and Camouflage Investigation Notebook
- Whose Lunch Is This?
- Tortoise Parts
- Parents and Offspring
- Frog Models
- Spikes, Spines, and Shells
Light and Sound
- Light and Sound: Puppet-Theater Engineers Investigation Notebook
- Let’s Test!
- Engineering with Light and Sound
- Can You See in the Dark?
- What Vibrates?
- What Made This Shadow?
Spinning Earth
- Spinning Earth: Investigating Patterns in the Sky Investigation Notebook
- A Walk Through the Seasons
- After Sunset
- Nighttime Investigation
- What Spins?
- Patterns of Earth and Space
Grade 2
Plant and Animal Relationships
- Plant and Animal Relationships: Investigating Systems in a Bengali Forest Investigation Notebook
- My Nature Notebook
- A Plant is a System
- Habitat Scientist
- Investigating Seeds
- Handbook of Habitats
Properties of Materials
- Properties of Materials: Designing Glue Investigation Notebook
- Jelly Bean Engineer
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Handbook of Interesting Ingredients
- Jess Makes Hair Gel
- Can You Change It Back?
Changing Landforms
- Changing Landforms: The Disappearing Cliff Investigation Notebook
- Landform Postcards
- Handbook of Land and Water
- Gary’s Sand Journal
- What’s Stronger?
- Making Models of Streams
Grade 3
Balancing Forces
- Balancing Forces: Investigating Floating Trains Investigation Notebook
- Forces All Around
- What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
- Hoverboard
- Explaining a Bridge
- Handbook of Forces
Environments and Survival
- Environments and Survival: Snails, Robots, and Biomimicry Investigation Notebook
- Earthworms Underground
- Mystery Mouths
- Environment News
- Cockroach Robots
- Biomimicry Handbook
Inheritance and Traits
- Inheritance and Traits: Variation in Wolves Investigation Notebook
- Scorpion Scientist
- How the Sparrow Learned Its Song
- Handbook of Traits
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- The Code
Weather and Climate
- Weather and Climate: Establishing An Orangutan Reserve Investigation Notebook
- Seeing the World Through Numbers
- Sky Notebook
- What’s Going On with the Weather?
- Dangerous Weather Ahead
- World Weather Handbook
Grade 4
Energy Conversions
- Energy Conversions: Blackout in Ergstown Investigation Notebook
- Energy Past and Present
- Sunlight and Showers
- Blackout
- It’s All Energy
- Systems
Earth’s Features
- Earth’s Features: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook
- Clues From The Past
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Rocky Wonders
- Fossil Hunter’s Handbook
Vision and Light
- Vision and Light: Investigating Animal Eyes Investigation Notebook
- Investigating Animal Senses
- I See What You Mean
- Crow Scientist
- Seeing Like a Shrimp and Smelling Like a Snake
- Handbook of Animal Eyes
Waves, Energy, and Information
- Waves, Energy and Information: Investigating How Dolphins Communicate Investigation Notebook
- Sound on the Move
- The Scientist Who Cracked the Dolphin Code
- Seeing Sound
- Warning: Tsunami!
- Patterns in Communication
Grade 5
Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Patterns of Earth and Sky: Analyzing Stars on Ancient Artifacts Investigation Notebook
- How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
- Which Way Is Up?
- Dog Days of Summer
- Star Scientist
- Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Restoration: Matter and Energy in a Rain Forest Investigation Notebook
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Walk in the Woods
- Energy Makes It All Go
- Restoration Case Studies
- Why Do Scientists Argue?
The Earth System
- The Earth System: Investigating Water Shortages Investigation Notebook
- Chemical Reactions Everywhere
- Water Shortages, Water Solutions
- Drinking Cleopatra’s Tears
- Engineering Clean Water
- How the Earth System Explains Dinosaur Extinction
- Water Encyclopedia
Modeling Matter
- Modeling Matter: The Chemistry of Food Investigation Notebook
- Made of Matter
- Break It Down
- Science You Can’t See
- Solving Dissolving
- Food Scientist’s Handbook
Grade 6
- Microbiome Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism: Making the Diagnosis Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism Engineering Internship: Health Bars for Disaster Relief Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Traits and Reproduction: The Genetics of Spider Silk Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Thermal Energy: Using Water to Heat a School Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate: Cold Years in New Zealand Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Weather Patterns: Severe Storms in Galetown Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate: Vanishing Ice Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship: Rooftops for Sustainable Cities Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
Grade 7
- Geology on Mars Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion: Mystery of the Mesosaurus Fossils Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship: Tsunami Warning Systems Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Rock Transformations: Geologic Puzzle of the Rockies and Great Plains Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change: Titan’s Disappearing Lakes Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change Engineering Internship: Portable Baby Incubators Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Chemical Reactions: Mysterious Substance in Westfield’s Water Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Populations and Resources: Too Many Moon Jellies Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Biodome Collapse Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Grade 8
- Harnessing Human Energy Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion: Docking Failure in Space Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship: Pods for Emergency Supplies Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Magnetic Fields: Launching a Spacecraft Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Light Waves: Skin Cancer in Australia Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth, Moon, and Sun: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection: Poisonous Newts Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship: Fighting Drug-Resistant Malaria Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Evolutionary History: Advising a Paleontology Museum Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Amplify Science
A new core curriculum designed from the ground up for the NGSS.
Preview the Student Books and Student Investigation Notebooks
Needs of Plants and Animals
- Needs of Plants and Animals: Milkweed and Monarchs Investigation Notebook
- Science Walk
- Handbook of Plants
- Investigating Monarchs
- A Plant in the Desert
- Above and Below
Pushes and Pulls
- Pushes and Pulls: Designing a Pinball Machine Investigation Notebook
- Talking About Forces
- A Busy Day in Pushville
- Room 4 Solves a Problem
- Forces in Ball Games
- Building With Forces
Sunlight and Weather
Animal and Plant Defenses
- Animal and Plant Defenses: Spikes, Shells, and Camouflage Investigation Notebook
- Whose Lunch Is This?
- Tortoise Parts
- Parents and Offspring
- Frog Models
- Spikes, Spines, and Shells
Light and Sound
- Light and Sound: Puppet-Theater Engineers Investigation Notebook
- Let’s Test!
- Engineering with Light and Sound
- Can You See in the Dark?
- What Vibrates?
- What Made This Shadow?
Spinning Earth
Plant and Animal Relationships
- Plant and Animal Relationships: Investigating Systems in a Bengali Forest Investigation Notebook
- My Nature Notebook
- A Plant is a System
- Habitat Scientist
- Investigating Seeds
- Handbook of Habitats
Properties of Materials
- Properties of Materials: Designing Glue Investigation Notebook
- Jelly Bean Engineer
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Handbook of Interesting Ingredients
- Jess Makes Hair Gel
- Can You Change It Back?
Changing Landforms
Balancing Forces
- Balancing Forces: Investigating Floating Trains Investigation Notebook
- Forces All Around
- What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
- Hoverboard
- Explaining a Bridge
- Handbook of Forces
Environments and Survival
- Environments and Survival: Snails, Robots, and Biomimicry Investigation Notebook
- Earthworms Underground
- Mystery Mouths
- Environment News
- Cockroach Robots
- Biomimicry Handbook
Inheritance and Traits
- Inheritance and Traits: Variation in Wolves Investigation Notebook
- Scorpion Scientist
- How the Sparrow Learned Its Song
- Handbook of Traits
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- The Code
Weather and Climate
Energy Conversions
- Energy Conversions: Blackout in Ergstown Investigation Notebook
- Energy Past and Present
- Sunlight and Showers
- Blackout
- It’s All Energy
- Systems
Earth’s Features
- Earth’s Features: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook
- Clues From The Past
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Rocky Wonders
- Fossil Hunter’s Handbook
Vision and Light
- Vision and Light: Investigating Animal Eyes Investigation Notebook
- Investigating Animal Senses
- I See What You Mean
- Crow Scientist
- Seeing Like a Shrimp and Smelling Like a Snake
- Handbook of Animal Eyes
Waves, Energy, and Information
Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Patterns of Earth and Sky: Analyzing Stars on Ancient Artifacts Investigation Notebook
- How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
- Which Way Is Up?
- Dog Days of Summer
- Star Scientist
- Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Restoration: Matter and Energy in a Rain Forest Investigation Notebook
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Walk in the Woods
- Energy Makes It All Go
- Restoration Case Studies
- Why Do Scientists Argue?
The Earth System
- The Earth System: Investigating Water Shortages Investigation Notebook
- Chemical Reactions Everywhere
- Water Shortages, Water Solutions
- Drinking Cleopatra’s Tears
- Engineering Clean Water
- How the Earth System Explains Dinosaur Extinction
- Water Encyclopedia
Modeling Matter
Spanish Student Books and Student Investigation Notebooks
Kindergarten
- Science Walk
- Talking About Forces
- What Is the Weather Like Today?
- Pushes and Pulls Investigation Notebook
Grade 1
Grade 2
- Landform Postcards
- My Nature Notebook
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Changing Landforms Investigation Notebook
Grade 3
- Sky Notebook
- Hoverboard
- Cockroach Robots
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- Balancing Forces Investigation Notebook
Grade 4
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Blackout!
- Investigating Animal Senses
- Warning: Tsunami!
- Energy Conversions Investigation Notebook
Grade 5
Amplify Science
A new core curriculum designed from the ground up for the NGSS.
Preview the Student Books and Student Investigation Notebooks
Needs of Plants and Animals
- Needs of Plants and Animals: Milkweed and Monarchs Investigation Notebook
- Science Walk
- Handbook of Plants
- Investigating Monarchs
- A Plant in the Desert
- Above and Below
Pushes and Pulls
- Pushes and Pulls: Designing a Pinball Machine Investigation Notebook
- Talking About Forces
- A Busy Day in Pushville
- Room 4 Solves a Problem
- Forces in Ball Games
- Building With Forces
Sunlight and Weather
Animal and Plant Defenses
- Animal and Plant Defenses: Spikes, Shells, and Camouflage Investigation Notebook
- Whose Lunch Is This?
- Tortoise Parts
- Parents and Offspring
- Frog Models
- Spikes, Spines, and Shells
Light and Sound
- Light and Sound: Puppet-Theater Engineers Investigation Notebook
- Let’s Test!
- Engineering with Light and Sound
- Can You See in the Dark?
- What Vibrates?
- What Made This Shadow?
Spinning Earth
Plant and Animal Relationships
- Plant and Animal Relationships: Investigating Systems in a Bengali Forest Investigation Notebook
- My Nature Notebook
- A Plant is a System
- Habitat Scientist
- Investigating Seeds
- Handbook of Habitats
Properties of Materials
- Properties of Materials: Designing Glue Investigation Notebook
- Jelly Bean Engineer
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Handbook of Interesting Ingredients
- Jess Makes Hair Gel
- Can You Change It Back?
Changing Landforms
Balancing Forces
- Balancing Forces: Investigating Floating Trains Investigation Notebook
- Forces All Around
- What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
- Hoverboard
- Explaining a Bridge
- Handbook of Forces
Environments and Survival
- Environments and Survival: Snails, Robots, and Biomimicry Investigation Notebook
- Earthworms Underground
- Mystery Mouths
- Environment News
- Cockroach Robots
- Biomimicry Handbook
Inheritance and Traits
- Inheritance and Traits: Variation in Wolves Investigation Notebook
- Scorpion Scientist
- How the Sparrow Learned Its Song
- Handbook of Traits
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- The Code
Weather and Climate
Energy Conversions
- Energy Conversions: Blackout in Ergstown Investigation Notebook
- Energy Past and Present
- Sunlight and Showers
- Blackout
- It’s All Energy
- Systems
Earth’s Features
- Earth’s Features: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook
- Clues From The Past
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Rocky Wonders
- Fossil Hunter’s Handbook
Vision and Light
- Vision and Light: Investigating Animal Eyes Investigation Notebook
- Investigating Animal Senses
- I See What You Mean
- Crow Scientist
- Seeing Like a Shrimp and Smelling Like a Snake
- Handbook of Animal Eyes
Waves, Energy, and Information
Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Patterns of Earth and Sky: Analyzing Stars on Ancient Artifacts Investigation Notebook
- How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
- Which Way Is Up?
- Dog Days of Summer
- Star Scientist
- Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Restoration: Matter and Energy in a Rain Forest Investigation Notebook
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Walk in the Woods
- Energy Makes It All Go
- Restoration Case Studies
- Why Do Scientists Argue?
The Earth System
- The Earth System: Investigating Water Shortages Investigation Notebook
- Chemical Reactions Everywhere
- Water Shortages, Water Solutions
- Drinking Cleopatra’s Tears
- Engineering Clean Water
- How the Earth System Explains Dinosaur Extinction
- Water Encyclopedia
Modeling Matter
Grades 6–8 Integrated Model
- Microbiome Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism: Making the Diagnosis Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism Engineering Internship: Health Bars for Disaster Relief Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Traits and Reproduction: The Genetics of Spider Silk Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Thermal Energy: Using Water to Heat a School Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate: Cold Years in New Zealand Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Weather Patterns: Severe Storms in Galetown Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate: Vanishing Ice Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship: Rooftops for Sustainable Cities Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Geology on Mars Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion: Mystery of the Mesosaurus Fossils Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship: Tsunami Warning Systems Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Rock Transformations: Geologic Puzzle of the Rockies and Great Plains Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change: Titan’s Disappearing Lakes Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change Engineering Internship: Portable Baby Incubators Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Chemical Reactions: Mysterious Substance in Westfield’s Water Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Populations and Resources: Too Many Moon Jellies Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Biodome Collapse Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Harnessing Human Energy Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion: Docking Failure in Space Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship: Pods for Emergency Supplies Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Magnetic Fields: Launching a Spacecraft Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Light Waves: Skin Cancer in Australia Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth, Moon, and Sun: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection: Poisonous Newts Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship: Fighting Drug-Resistant Malaria Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Evolutionary History: Advising a Paleontology Museum Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
NGSS Benchmark Assessments
- Grade 3 Benchmark Test Form A
- Grade 4 Benchmark Test Form D
- Grade 5 Benchmark Test Form C
- Earth and Space Science Benchmark Test Form A
- Life Science Benchmark Test Form C
- Physical Science Benchmark Test Form B
The Amplify NGSS Benchmark Assessments were authored by Amplify and were not developed as part of the Amplify Science program or created by the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Welcome, Utah K-8 reviewers!
Amplify Science Resources for NYC (6-8)
This page has been archived. For the latest information, please visit the NYC Resource Site.
Welcome!
As the 2021-2022 school year kicks into full gear, you’re likely thinking about making your classroom responsive to student needs due to the covid-19 pandemic.
- CLRT in Amplify Science
- SEL in Amplify Science
- Responsive Relaunch Introduction Video
- Responsive Relaunch NYC Brief
Got additional questions? Use Zoom to attend office hours with Adaliz Gonzalez, the DOE’s Middle School Science Lead on Thursdays from 3-4pm.
Meeting ID: 852 2280 0969
Passcode: 528986
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
NYC Newsletters
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- October 2020
Educator Spotlight Submission
Calling all NYC DOE educators! Do you know an educator who has gone above and beyond? Would you like to highlight your teaching experience for others? Submit nominations here to see them featured as a spotlight in a future edition of our monthly newsletter and on our Instagram pages!
Introduction
This page includes planning, implementation, and professional learning resources for NYC schools using Amplify Science. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the categories in the navigation bar on the left side of the page, so that you’ll be able to easily find what you need.
Most New York City educators come here looking for specific information, but if you’re new to Amplify Science, we recommend you read through the program guide to learn a little about the program.
New to Amplify? – Start HERE!
Teachers and Administrators
Step 1: Review the Amplify Science Overview Video.
Step 2: Review the NYC Scope and sequence for 21-22 school year.
Step 3: Review the Unpacking the Kit Videos listed below to understand what’s in your unit 1 kit.
Step 4: Access your unique Log-in information to log-in to the Amplify Science Curriculum outlined below under Login support
Step 5: Log into the platform and access our Program Hub. Select Using this site for self study for a complete suite of training videos and resources for an initial orientation video series.
Step 6: Log into the curriculum and begin studying the Unit Map and Teacher’s Guide resources and begin planning your first lesson. Print out the NYC Program Guide for essential program information.
Step 7: Administrator’s ONLY – Review the new administrator orientation presentation for an overview of the program. Review other materials under Admin Resources.
NOTE: Should you need any additional guidance on how to get started with prep (or anything else!), please feel free to get in touch with our pedagogical support team. They are available Monday-Friday from 7AM-7PM EST. You can reach them via the chat icon in the lower right- hand corner of your screen when logged in, through email (help@amplify.com), or via phone (800-823-1969).
Getting started resources
- NYC Resource Site overview – quick links
- Tech requirements
- Classroom Technology Quick Start Guide – a one-page guide to using Amplify Science in a variety of technology environments
Login Support
- Login video: Classroom teacher login with Amplify
- 6-8 science teacher: Login with Amplify or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- 6-8 administrator: Login with Amplify or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- 6-8 students: Login with Amplify or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- Other staff (co-teachers, ICT, etc.): Administrator instructions for creating a Shared Teacher Login
- How to reset student(s) password
- How to log my class out of a shared device
- Clever class logout instructions
Materials
Unpacking your first Amplify Science classroom kit
- Unpacking kit video: Metabolism
- Unpacking kit video: Plate Motion
- Unpacking kit video: Force and Motion video
21-22 Login Update
The temporary login credentials for fall ’21 have been deactivated.
Please make sure you check out the Getting started resources > Login Support below for instructions around teacher and student logins. If there are any issues, please confirm with your STARS programmer that your classes are assigned correctly and then contact our Amplify Help Desk at help@amplify.com or at 1-800-823-1969 for further assistance.
Implementation resources
21-22 NYC Scope and Sequence and Pacing Guide
Use our NYC Field Trip List to plan an engaging field trip for your students!
NYC Companion Lesson Guides
The format of the NYC Companion Lessons is similar to other Amplify Science lessons. Some companion lessons are designed to require more than a single class period to teach, so each lesson includes pacing suggestions. Science Background sections support teachers with the science content introduced in the lessons. For students’ written work, possible student responses are included at the end of each lesson guide.
The Lesson Guides are available in the last section of each unit’s print Teacher’s Guide and can be downloaded from the tables in the downloads section below.
NYC Companion Lesson Copymasters
Each NYC Companion Lesson has an accompanying Copymaster (for creating student sheets) that can be copied and distributed to students or used as a visual reference. The NYC Companion Lessons require students to have physical copies of the student sheets. The copymasters are available to download as printable PDF files from the tables in the downloads section below.
Grade 6 Lesson guides and Copymasters
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.2
- Time frame: 60 minutes (can spread across multiple class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS3-6, DCI: PS3.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3
- Time frame: Two 45-minute class periods
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-5, DCI: PS2.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3 and after Investigating Non-Touching Forces
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS2-5, MS-PS2-3, DCI: PS2.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.5
- Time frame: 105 minutes (can be spread across multiple class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-6, DCI: PS1.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.4
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS2-5, DCI: LS2.C, LS4.D
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 1.3
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-ESS2-4, DCI: ESS2.C
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3*
- Time frame: 90 minutes (can be spread across multiple class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-7, MS-ESS2-6, DCI: PS1.A, ESS2.C
- Links (click to download):
*Note: The homework assignment for Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Lesson 3.3 (reading the article “Deep Ocean Currents: Driven by Density”) should be assigned after the Investigating Deep Ocean Currents companion lesson rather than after Lesson 3.3.
Grade 7 Lesson Guides and Copymasters
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.2
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS1-3, DCI: PS3.D, LS1.A
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3 or later
- Time frame: Three 45-minute class periods, each several days apart
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS1-8, DCI: LS1.D
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.5
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7, DCI: LS1.C, PS3.D
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.2
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-4, DCI: PS3.A
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 1.3
- Time frame: 60 minutes
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-7, DCI: PS1.A
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.3, 2.4, or 2.5
- Time frame: Two 45-minute class periods
- NYSP–PE: MS-PS1-8, MS-PS1-2 DCI: PS1.A, PS1.B
- Links (click to download):
Grade 8 Lesson Guides and Copymaster
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.2
- Time frame: 90 minutes (can be spread across multiple class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS3-2, MS-PS3-5
- Links (click to download):
NYC Companion Kits
Materials needed to teach Amplify Science lessons are provided in a kit for each unit. While some materials used in the NYC Companion Lessons are also found in a unit’s kit, materials specific to the companion lessons are provided in NYC Companion Kits. The contents of each kit and any additional materials needed to teach the companion lessons are listed in the PDFs provided below. Please select your grade to view or download the list.
NYC Student Editions (print)
The NYC Student Editions are durable student references that compile all reading material required for a grade level, including the articles students read for NYC Companion Lessons. Students reading in the Student Edition should annotate the text directly with sticky notes to achieve the full benefits of Active Reading. The Active Reading approach was designed as an interactive process in which students highlight and annotate digital or hard copies of articles directly. Printable versions of the articles are available in the downloads section below.
- Harnessing Human Energy: Printable article: “Magnetic Force and Rainbow Trout”
- Harnessing Human Energy: Printable article: “Gravity and Bats”
- Harnessing Human Energy: Printable article: “Electrostatic Force and Bees”
- Populations and Resources: Printable article: “The Amazing Variety of Life in a Coral Reef”
- Weather Patterns: Printable article: “What Makes Water Move?”
- Metabolism: Printable article: “How You Are Like a Sneezing Iguana”
- Metabolism: Printable article: “How Do Trees Grow So Huge Without Eating?”
- Phase Change: Printable article: “Icy Heat”
- Chemical Reactions: Printable article: “This Is Not an Oxygen Tank”
It is recommended that NYC teachers insert this additional lesson between Lessons 3.1 and 3.2 in order to have students complete a reading assignment in class along with an additional Sim activity.
- Lesson: Earth, Moon and Sun: Modeling Seasons
- Lesson Placement: Insert between Lessons 3.1 and 3.2*
- Links (click to download):
*If teaching this Modeling Seasons lesson, do not assign reading “The Endless Summer of the Arctic Tern” article for homework in Lesson 3.1. However, students should still model a lunar eclipse with the Modeling Tool for homework, as they will be revisiting and revising this model in Lesson 3.3.
NYC Investigation Notebooks (for teacher download)
- Harnessing Human Energy*
- Thermal Energy*
- Populations and Resources*
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Weather Patterns*
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate*
- Earth’s Changing Climate
* includes NYC Companion Lesson Copymaster(s)
- Microbiome
- Metabolism*
- Phase Change*
- Chemical Reactions*
- Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship: Plate Motion
- Rock Transformations
- Engineering Internship: Earth’s Changing Climate
* includes NYC Companion Lesson Copymaster(s)
- Geology on Mars
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship: Force and Motion
- Magnetic Fields*
- Light Waves
- Traits and Reproduction
- Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
* includes NYC Companion Lesson Copymaster(s)
Admin resources
- Getting started checklist
- Implementation rubric
- Look-for tool
- NEW Administrator data reports overview
- NYC Resource Site overview – quick links
- 2021 Grade 6-8 Instructional Leaders: Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and Presentation
- 2021 Grade 6-8 Administrators: Utilizing the Amplify Science Assessment System Agenda and Presentation
- 2020 New Administrator Orientation Presentation with Participant Notebook
- 2020 Returning Administrator Orientation Agenda
- 2020 Amplify Science Remote & Hybrid Resources for Administrators Webinar
- 2020 Supporting Multilingual Learners for Administrators Webinar
- 2020 Accessing Complex Texts: Administrators Webinar
- 2020 Academic Discourse and Questioning Strategies: Administrators Webinar
- 2021 Planning For Next Year: Administrators Agenda, Participant Notebook, and Presentation
- 2021 Planning For Next Year: Instructional Leads Agenda, Participant Notebook, and Presentation
Remote and hybrid learning resources
In response to the shifts towards remote learning, Amplify has created resources for using our programs remotely. Please visit our Program Hub accessible via your Teacher Platform for all of our hybrid and remote learning supports which includes guidance for teachers and parents/guardians.
Additionally, please see below where you’ll find the recordings from our recently held webinars on our remote learning resources and some best practices for implementing Amplify Science in a distance learning setting.
Resource guides
- 20-21 Scope and sequence/pacing guide
- K-8 Remote and hybrid learning guide
- 6-8 Planning Tool for @Home Resources
Professional learning opportunities
Interested in attending training? Check out and sign up for this year’s PL offerings here!
Election Day 21-22 PL
Grade 6 Guided Planning Presentation and Webinar
Grade 7 Guided Planning Presentation and Webinar
Grade 8 Guided Planning Presentation and Webinar
Grades 6-8 Unpacking Phenomena Presentation and Webinar
All 2020-2021 PL session materials can be found below under Professional learning resources.
Amplify Science Back-to-School Recorded Webinars – Amplify held a series of national office hours throughout the summer and fall to share information about our new resources to support remote and hybrid learning– including recommendations about what to prioritize from your curriculum and essential refresher topics, such as how to navigate your program and find the best planning resources. Feel free to watch all recorded sessions at your convenience.
Archived Professional Learning Resources
Winter 2022
- Guided Planning: Unit Internalization Agenda, Participant notebook, and Presentation
Spring 2021
- Planning For Next Year Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
Winter 2021
- Guided Planning: Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
- Engaging English Learners in 3-D Learning Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
- Accessing Complex Text in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
- Applying Reading and Writing Strategies in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
Fall 2020
- Grade 6: Academic Discourse and Questioning Strategies Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts: Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Webinar
- Grade 6: Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Planning document
- Grades 6-8: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning Presentation with Participant Notebook
- Grade 6: Supporting Multilingual Learners Webinar
- Grade 6: Thermal Energy Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Participant Notebook with @Home Resources (Election Day PL)
- Grades 6-8 Navigating Program Essentials: Agenda, Presentation, Participant Notebook
- Grade 6: Progress Builds & Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Grade 6: Amplify Science Remote & Hybrid Resources Webinar
Summer 2020
- Returning Teachers: Guided Planning Workshop Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda,Presentation, and Webinar
- 6-8 New Teacher Institute Agenda: Day One and Day Two with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019- Harnessing Human Energy and Thermal Energy
Fall 2019- Population and Resources with Participant Notebook
Winter 2022
- Guided Planning: Unit Internalization Agenda, Participant notebook, and Presentation
Spring 2021
- Planning For Next Year Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
Winter 2021
- Engaging English Learners in 3-D Learning Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
- Accessing Complex Text in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
- Applying Reading and Writing Strategies in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
Fall 2020
- Grade 7: Academic Discourse and Questioning Strategies Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts: Phase Change Webinar
- Grade 7: Phase Change Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Planning document
- Grades 6-8: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning Presentation with Participant Notebook
- Grade 7: Supporting Multilingual Learners Webinar
- Grade 7: Metabolism Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Participant Notebook with @Home Resources (Election Day PL)
- Grades 6-8 Navigating Program Essentials Agenda, Presentation, Participant Notebook
- Grade 7: Progress Builds & Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Grade 7: Amplify Science Remote & Hybrid Resources Webinar
Summer 2020
- Returning Teachers: Guided Planning Workshop Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda,Presentation, and Webinar
- 6-8 New Teacher Institute Agenda, Day One and Day Two with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 – Microbiome and Metabolism
Fall 2019 – Phase Change with Participant Notebook
Winter 2022
- Guided Planning: Unit Internalization Agenda, Participant notebook, and Presentation
Spring 2021
- Planning For Next Year Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
Winter 2021
- Guided Planning: Traits and Reproduction Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
- Engaging English Learners in 3-D Learning Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
- Accessing Complex Text in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
- Applying Reading and Writing Strategies in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
Fall 2020
- Grade 8: Academic Discourse and Questioning Strategies Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts: Earth, Moon, and Sun Webinar
- Grades 6-8: Unpacking the Engineering Internship Presentation and Participant Notebook
- Grades 6-8: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning Presentation with Participant Notebook
- Grade 8: Supporting Multilingual Learners Webinar
- Grade 8: Force and Motion Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Participant Notebook with @Home Resources (Election Day PL)
- Grades 6-8 Navigating Program Essentials Agenda, Presentation, Participant Notebook
- Grade 8: Progress Builds & Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Grade 8: Amplify Science Remote & Hybrid Resources Webinar
Summer 2020
- Returning Teachers: Guided Planning Workshop Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- 6-8 New Teacher Institute Agenda: Day One and Day Two with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 – Geology on Mars and Earth, Moon, Sun
Fall 2019 – Force and Motion with Participant Notebook
Caregiver resources
Questions
For general questions about the Amplify program (navigation, pedagogy, login), please reach out:
Email – scihelp@amplify.com
Phone – call toll-free at (800) 823-1969, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. ET
Amplify Chat – click the Amplify Chat icon within the individual teacher account
Review the digital teacher’s guide
- Sign in with this username and password:
- Click on the orange button below.
- Select “Log in with Amplify”.
Username: t.LouisianaReview@tryamplify.net
Password: AmplifyNumber1
Navigational Guides
Watch the video
Get an overview of the program as a whole.
Take the guided tour
Click through to learn how to navigate around our program.
Preview the Student Books and Investigation Notebooks
Kindergarten
Needs of Plants and Animals
- Needs of Plants and Animals: Milkweed and Monarchs Investigation Notebook
- Science Walk
- Handbook of Plants
- Investigating Monarchs
- A Plant in the Desert
- Above and Below
Pushes and Pulls
- Pushes and Pulls: Designing a Pinball Machine Investigation Notebook
- Talking About Forces
- A Busy Day in Pushville
- Room 4 Solves a Problem
- Forces in Ball Games
- Building With Forces
Sunlight and Weather
- Sunlight and Weather: Solving Playground Problems Investigation Notebook
- Handbook of Models
- Cool People in Hot Places
- Tornado! Predicting Severe Weather
- What Is the Weather Like Today?
- Getting Warm in the Sunlight
Grade 1
Animal and Plant Defenses
- Animal and Plant Defenses: Spikes, Shells, and Camouflage Investigation Notebook
- Whose Lunch Is This?
- Tortoise Parts
- Parents and Offspring
- Frog Models
- Spikes, Spines, and Shells
Light and Sound
- Light and Sound: Puppet-Theater Engineers Investigation Notebook
- Let’s Test!
- Engineering with Light and Sound
- Can You See in the Dark?
- What Vibrates?
- What Made This Shadow?
Spinning Earth
- Spinning Earth: Investigating Patterns in the Sky Investigation Notebook
- A Walk Through the Seasons
- After Sunset
- Nighttime Investigation
- What Spins?
- Patterns of Earth and Space
Grade 2
Plant and Animal Relationships
- Plant and Animal Relationships: Investigating Systems in a Bengali Forest Investigation Notebook
- My Nature Notebook
- A Plant is a System
- Habitat Scientist
- Investigating Seeds
- Handbook of Habitats
Properties of Materials
- Properties of Materials: Designing Glue Investigation Notebook
- Jelly Bean Engineer
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Handbook of Interesting Ingredients
- Jess Makes Hair Gel
- Can You Change It Back?
Changing Landforms
- Changing Landforms: The Disappearing Cliff Investigation Notebook
- Landform Postcards
- Handbook of Land and Water
- Gary’s Sand Journal
- What’s Stronger?
- Making Models of Streams
Grade 3
Balancing Forces
- Balancing Forces: Investigating Floating Trains Investigation Notebook
- Forces All Around
- What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
- Hoverboard
- Explaining a Bridge
- Handbook of Forces
Environments and Survival
- Environments and Survival: Snails, Robots, and Biomimicry Investigation Notebook
- Earthworms Underground
- Mystery Mouths
- Environment News
- Cockroach Robots
- Biomimicry Handbook
Inheritance and Traits
- Inheritance and Traits: Variation in Wolves Investigation Notebook
- Scorpion Scientist
- How the Sparrow Learned Its Song
- Handbook of Traits
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- The Code
Weather and Climate
- Weather and Climate: Establishing An Orangutan Reserve Investigation Notebook
- Seeing the World Through Numbers
- Sky Notebook
- What’s Going On with the Weather?
- Dangerous Weather Ahead
- World Weather Handbook
Grade 4
Energy Conversions
- Energy Conversions: Blackout in Ergstown Investigation Notebook
- Energy Past and Present
- Sunlight and Showers
- Blackout
- It’s All Energy
- Systems
Earth’s Features
- Earth’s Features: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook
- Clues From The Past
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Rocky Wonders
- Fossil Hunter’s Handbook
Vision and Light
- Vision and Light: Investigating Animal Eyes Investigation Notebook
- Investigating Animal Senses
- I See What You Mean
- Crow Scientist
- Seeing Like a Shrimp and Smelling Like a Snake
- Handbook of Animal Eyes
Waves, Energy, and Information
- Waves, Energy and Information: Investigating How Dolphins Communicate Investigation Notebook
- Sound on the Move
- The Scientist Who Cracked the Dolphin Code
- Seeing Sound
- Warning: Tsunami!
- Patterns in Communication
Grade 5
Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Patterns of Earth and Sky: Analyzing Stars on Ancient Artifacts Investigation Notebook
- How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
- Which Way Is Up?
- Dog Days of Summer
- Star Scientist
- Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Restoration: Matter and Energy in a Rain Forest Investigation Notebook
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Walk in the Woods
- Energy Makes It All Go
- Restoration Case Studies
- Why Do Scientists Argue?
The Earth System
- The Earth System: Investigating Water Shortages Investigation Notebook
- Chemical Reactions Everywhere
- Water Shortages, Water Solutions
- Drinking Cleopatra’s Tears
- Engineering Clean Water
- How the Earth System Explains Dinosaur Extinction
- Water Encyclopedia
Modeling Matter
Preview the Student Books and Investigation Notebooks
Kindergarten
Needs of Plants and Animals
- Needs of Plants and Animals: Milkweed and Monarchs Investigation Notebook
- Science Walk
- Handbook of Plants
- Investigating Monarchs
- A Plant in the Desert
- Above and Below
Pushes and Pulls
- Pushes and Pulls: Designing a Pinball Machine Investigation Notebook
- Talking About Forces
- A Busy Day in Pushville
- Room 4 Solves a Problem
- Forces in Ball Games
- Building With Forces
Sunlight and Weather
- Sunlight and Weather: Solving Playground Problems Investigation Notebook
- Handbook of Models
- Cool People in Hot Places
- Tornado! Predicting Severe Weather
- What Is the Weather Like Today?
- Getting Warm in the Sunlight
Grade 1
Animal and Plant Defenses
- Animal and Plant Defenses: Spikes, Shells, and Camouflage Investigation Notebook
- Whose Lunch Is This?
- Tortoise Parts
- Parents and Offspring
- Frog Models
- Spikes, Spines, and Shells
Light and Sound
- Light and Sound: Puppet-Theater Engineers Investigation Notebook
- Let’s Test!
- Engineering with Light and Sound
- Can You See in the Dark?
- What Vibrates?
- What Made This Shadow?
Spinning Earth
- Spinning Earth: Investigating Patterns in the Sky Investigation Notebook
- A Walk Through the Seasons
- After Sunset
- Nighttime Investigation
- What Spins?
- Patterns of Earth and Space
Grade 2
Plant and Animal Relationships
- Plant and Animal Relationships: Investigating Systems in a Bengali Forest Investigation Notebook
- My Nature Notebook
- A Plant is a System
- Habitat Scientist
- Investigating Seeds
- Handbook of Habitats
Properties of Materials
- Properties of Materials: Designing Glue Investigation Notebook
- Jelly Bean Engineer
- What If Rain Boots Were Made of Paper?
- Handbook of Interesting Ingredients
- Jess Makes Hair Gel
- Can You Change It Back?
Changing Landforms
- Changing Landforms: The Disappearing Cliff Investigation Notebook
- Landform Postcards
- Handbook of Land and Water
- Gary’s Sand Journal
- What’s Stronger?
- Making Models of Streams
Grade 3
Balancing Forces
- Balancing Forces: Investigating Floating Trains Investigation Notebook
- Forces All Around
- What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
- Hoverboard
- Explaining a Bridge
- Handbook of Forces
Environments and Survival
- Environments and Survival: Snails, Robots, and Biomimicry Investigation Notebook
- Earthworms Underground
- Mystery Mouths
- Environment News
- Cockroach Robots
- Biomimicry Handbook
Inheritance and Traits
- Inheritance and Traits: Variation in Wolves Investigation Notebook
- Scorpion Scientist
- How the Sparrow Learned Its Song
- Handbook of Traits
- Blue Whales and Buttercups
- The Code
Weather and Climate
- Weather and Climate: Establishing An Orangutan Reserve Investigation Notebook
- Seeing the World Through Numbers
- Sky Notebook
- What’s Going On with the Weather?
- Dangerous Weather Ahead
- World Weather Handbook
Grade 4
Energy Conversions
- Energy Conversions: Blackout in Ergstown Investigation Notebook
- Energy Past and Present
- Sunlight and Showers
- Blackout
- It’s All Energy
- Systems
Earth’s Features
- Earth’s Features: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook
- Clues From The Past
- Through the Eyes of a Geologist
- Arguing to Solve a Mystery
- Rocky Wonders
- Fossil Hunter’s Handbook
Vision and Light
- Vision and Light: Investigating Animal Eyes Investigation Notebook
- Investigating Animal Senses
- I See What You Mean
- Crow Scientist
- Seeing Like a Shrimp and Smelling Like a Snake
- Handbook of Animal Eyes
Waves, Energy, and Information
- Waves, Energy and Information: Investigating How Dolphins Communicate Investigation Notebook
- Sound on the Move
- The Scientist Who Cracked the Dolphin Code
- Seeing Sound
- Warning: Tsunami!
- Patterns in Communication
Grade 5
Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Patterns of Earth and Sky: Analyzing Stars on Ancient Artifacts Investigation Notebook
- How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far?
- Which Way Is Up?
- Dog Days of Summer
- Star Scientist
- Handbook of Stars and Constellations
Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Restoration: Matter and Energy in a Rain Forest Investigation Notebook
- Matter Makes It All Up
- Walk in the Woods
- Energy Makes It All Go
- Restoration Case Studies
- Why Do Scientists Argue?
The Earth System
- The Earth System: Investigating Water Shortages Investigation Notebook
- Chemical Reactions Everywhere
- Water Shortages, Water Solutions
- Drinking Cleopatra’s Tears
- Engineering Clean Water
- How the Earth System Explains Dinosaur Extinction
- Water Encyclopedia
Modeling Matter
Inspiring the next generation of South Carolina scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is an engaging new core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
Our Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Explore the Digital Teacher’s Guide
When you’re ready to review, click the orange button below and use your provided login credentials to access the Amplify Science Digital Teacher’s Guide. If you need login credentials, contact Jeff Rutter, jrutter@amplify.com.
Resources to support your review
- South Carolina recommended scope and sequence for grades 6–8
- South Carolina standards correlation for grades K–8
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena? – ebook
- Phenomena in grades K–5
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Active Reading in grades 6–8
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Program structure for grades K–5
Scope and sequence
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| Grade 3 |
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South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021
Amplify Science was designed from the ground up to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021 are closely aligned to the NGSS at K-8. The guidance below is meant to provide support for integrating additional companion activities that support full coverage of the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021.
Organized by grade level, each section below will outline:
- Additional activities that support 100% alignment to the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021;
- The standard being addressed with the activities;
- The recommended placement of the activities within a specific Amplify Science unit; and
- PDFs of any accompanying materials that are necessary to implement the activities.
Standard: MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
Recommended placement: Thermal Energy unit, Lesson 4.4, addition to Activity 3
Materials: “Liquid Oxygen”
By reading the article “Liquid Oxygen,” which describes how the relationship between attraction and kinetic energy determines when a substance changes phase, students extend their understanding of the possible effects of adding or removing thermal energy to include changes in state (phase). Oxygen is one of the most common elements in the world, but most people are only familiar with oxygen in the gas phase. Because oxygen molecules are only weakly attracted to one another, condensing oxygen is difficult. This article introduces students to molecular attraction and discusses its role in phase change, including how it can be used to turn oxygen from a gas to a liquid.
Instructions:
Download PDFs of the “Liquid Oxygen” and distribute it to students. Before they begin reading, remind students of the Active Reading Guidelines.
Standard: MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
Recommended placement: Weather Patterns unit, Lesson 4.4, addition to Activity 3
Materials: “Harvesting Sunlight”, “Why No One in Space Can Hear You Scream” and “Making Waves at Swim Practice”
After investigating weather patterns, which includes a focus of the effects of energy from sunlight, students extend their learning about light by reading three articles about light and other waves.
“Harvesting Sunlight:” Students read this article to learn about the types of light from the sun that plants use for photosynthesis. The article describes how the sun emits all types of light, but plants can only use certain types of visible light for photosynthesis, mostly red and blue light. Plants also absorb other types of light, and these types of light affect plants in different ways. Students use this information to gather evidence that there are different types of light that can affect a material in different ways.
“Why No One in Space Can Hear You Scream:” Students read this article to learn about how waves are transmitted. Explosions that would be deafening on Earth are silent in space. This is because sound is produced by sound waves and, unlike light waves, sound waves need matter to travel through. Reading about this phenomenon helps students understand the similarities and differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
“Making Waves at Swim Practice:” A practice for the school swim team provides an everyday context for discussing light waves and sound waves in this engaging article. First, the article explores sound waves traveling through different materials–the air, the water of the pool, and even a metal poolside bench. Students discover that sound waves travel at different speeds in different materials. The later part of the article discusses light waves, which also travel at different speeds in different materials. As light waves move from one material to another, they change speed and bend. This bending of light waves is called refraction, and it explains why objects that are partly in the water and partly out of the water (such as the legs of a person sitting on the side of a pool) appear ripply and bent.
Instructions:
Plan one class period for each article. Download PDFs of the “Harvesting Sunlight,” “Why No One in Space Can Hear You Scream,” and “Making Waves at Swim Practice” articles. For each article, before students begin reading, preview the article and discuss what students already know and what they wonder about the topic, then remind students of the Active Reading Guidelines.
Standard: MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces. MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
Recommended placement: Harnessing Human Energy unit, Lesson 3.4, after Activity 1
Materials: “Earth’s Geomagnetism” and “Painting with Static Electricity”
After concluding their investigations of energy transfers and conversions, students read two articles that introduce the topic of forces that act at a distance.
“Earth’s Geomagnetism:” What makes a compass needle point north, no matter what? This article introduces students to Earth’s geomagnetic field and the field lines scientists use to show its direction.
“Painting with Static Electricity:” This article gives students the opportunity to learn about electrostatic fields and forces in the context of spray painting without making a mess. Electrostatic painting systems use electrostatics to draw spray paint toward the object being painted, and nowhere else. Painters charge the object they are painting with a negative charge and the paint with a positive charge. The opposite charges are attracted to one another, causing the paint to move toward the object. This surprising use of electrostatics saves time and paint and keeps things tidy!
Instructions
Plan one class period for each article. Download PDFs of the “Earth’s Geomagnetism” and “Painting with Electricity” articles. For each article, before students begin reading, preview the article and discuss what students already know and what they wonder about the topic, then remind students of the Active Reading Guidelines.
What’s included
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- Record data
- Reflect on ideas from texts and investigations
- Construct explanations and arguments
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and modeling tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- Conduct hands-on investigations
- Engage in active reading and writing activities
- Participate in discussions
- Record observations
- Craft end-of-unit scientific arguments
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- Classroom Slides
- Detailed lesson plans
- Unit and chapter overview documentation
- Differentiation strategies
- Standards alignments
- In-context professional development
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science. Each unit kit contains:
- Consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials
- Print classroom display materials
- Premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.)
Remote and hybrid learning supports
Amplify has launched a new remote learning solution called Amplify Science@Home. Intended to make extended remote learning and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science@Home includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @Home Videos and @Home Units.
Amplify Science @Home Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home. These videos will be produced for all K–5 units, and for the first four units of each 6–8 grade level. Their release will be rolling, beginning in August.
Amplify Science@Home Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @Home Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. @Home Units will be developed for all Amplify Science K–8 units. Each @Home unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @Home Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available.
- Overviews to send home to families.
Student materials are available in two formats:
- @Home Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home.
- Downloadable @Home Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home.
Download the Remote and hybrid learning guide.
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969
For less urgent questions:
Contact us
Contact your South Carolina team representatives:
Jeff Rutter
Field Manager
jrutter@amplify.com
(727) 512-8440
Cathy McMillan
Senior Account Executive
cmcmillan@amplify.com
(904) 465-9904
Inspiring the next generation of Massachusetts scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is an engaging new core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify. This partnership extends to 2032, allowing us to continuously improve our program and provide our customers with the most up-to-date enhancements, free of charge. Get a glimpse at our latest back-to-school updates here.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
Phenomena-based approach
In each Amplify Science unit, students take on the roles of scientists or engineers in order to investigate a real-world problem. Students work to define the problem and collect and make sense of evidence. Once the context is clear, students collect evidence from multiple sources and through a variety of modalities. At the end of the unit, students are presented with a brand new problem, giving them an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned over the course of the unit to a new context. This represents a shift from asking students to learn about science to supporting students in figuring out the science.
Resources to support your review
- Massachusetts Amplify Science. K-5 Correlation
- K-5 Massachusetts Science Rubric
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena?—ebook
- Phenomena in grades K–5
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Amplify Science in Action classroom videos
Scope and Sequence
GRADE
Kindergarten
UNITS
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 1
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Flexible implementation
One of the key features of Amplify Science is the flexibility that it offers. We give students authentic opportunities to experience the full breadth of what it means to be a scientist or engineer. Just as scientists gather evidence from many types of sources, so do students in our program. Like scientists, students gather evidence not just from physical models, but also from digital models, texts, videos, photographs, maps, data sets, and even their peers!
Simply put, real scientists don’t just get messy—they read, write, analyze, hypothesize, model, test, and communicate with purpose, too.
Student Books
Beginning and young readers have unique developmental needs, and science instruction should support these students in reading more independently as they progress through sections of content, the school year, and each grade. One way Amplify Science meets these needs is by strategically deploying different modes of reading throughout each unit: Read-Aloud, Shared Reading, and Partner Reading.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- record data.
- reflect on ideas from texts and investigations.
- construct explanations and arguments.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and Modeling Tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- conduct hands-on investigations.
- engage in Active Reading and writing activities.
- participate in discussions.
- record observations.
- craft end-of-unit scientific arguments.
Dive into a quick example of our powerful simulations
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science and is integrated
into every unit. Students actively take on the roles of scientists and engineers as they gather evidence, think critically, solve problems, and develop and defend claims about the world around them.
Check out this 2-minute video to see an Amplify Science hands-on investigation in action.
Each unit kit contains:
- consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials.
- print classroom display materials.
- premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.).
Teaching support
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- detailed lesson plans.
- unit and chapter overview documentation.
- differentiation strategies.
- standards alignments.
- in-context professional development.
Massachusetts Academic Standards in Science coverage
Amplify Science was designed from the ground up to meet the NGSS, a set of standards that closely align with the Massachusetts Learning Standards for Science coverage. Most grade levels’ respective set of Amplify Science units therefore address the necessary MASS (see correlation).
For grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 5, teachers should plan to also use the resources provided in the sections below to achieve full coverage of the appropriate standards before their students move on to the next grade band. Organized by grade level, each section outlines:
- companion lesson materials that were written to support 100% alignment to the Massachusetts Learning Standards for Science coverage when used with the core Amplify Science units for the grade level
- the standard being addressed with each companion lesson; and
- the recommended placement of each companion lesson within a specific Amplify Science unit
Standard: K-PS1-1(MA). Investigate and communicate the idea that different kinds of materials can be solid or liquid depending on temperature.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 5.6 of Sunlight and Weather
Resources: After students finish reflecting on their unit-long exploration of energy and temperature, play and discuss this read-aloud video of the student book Can you Change it Back?, which is featured in the grade 2 unit Properties of Materials. You might also consider borrowing the physical books from a grade 2 colleague’s Properties of Materials kit and reading it as a class instead of or in addition to playing the video.
Using the book, you will introduce students to the idea that heating and cooling can cause changes to materials. In the book, students are presented with a variety of materials and asked to predict whether a certain change caused by heating or cooling is reversible or irreversible.
Companion lesson: “Seasonal Changes”
Standard: 1-ESS1-2– Analyze provided data to identify relationships among seasonal patterns of change, including relative sunrise and sunset time changes, seasonal temperature and rainfall or snowfall patterns, and seasonal changes to the environment.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 5.1 of Spinning Earth
Resources: Season Changes Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Companion lesson: “Properties and Weight”
Standard: 2-PS1-3– Analyze a variety of evidence to conclude that when a chunk of material is cut or broken into pieces, each piece is still the same material and, however small each piece is, has weight. Show that the material properties of a small set of pieces do not change when the pieces are used to build larger objects.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 4.4 of Properties of Materials.
Resources: Weight and Properties Classroom Slides, Resources, and Student Sheet
Companion lesson 1: Extinct Insects
Standard: 3-LS4-1: Use fossils to describe types of organisms and their environments that existed long ago and compare those to living organisms and their environments. Recognize that most kinds of plants and animals that once lived on Earth are no longer found anywhere.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 2.3 of Environments and Survival
Resources: Extinct Insects Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Companion lesson 2: Friction
Standard: 3-PS2-1: Provide evidence to explain the effect of multiple forces, including friction, on an object. Include balanced forces that do not change the motion of the object and unbalanced forces that do change the motion of the object.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 1.1 of Balancing Forces
Resources: Friction Classroom Slides, Resources, and Student Sheet
Companion lesson 1: Composters
Standard: 5-LS2-2(MA)– Compare at least two designs for a composter to determine which is most likely to encourage decomposition of materials.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 3.7 of Ecosystem Restoration
Resources: Composters Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Companion lesson 2: Properties of Materials
Standard: 5-PS1-3 (MA) – Make observations and measurements of substances to describe characteristic properties of each, including color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 1.3 of Modeling Matter
Resources: Properties of Materials Classroom Slides, Resources, Articles, Copymaster, and Student Sheet
Companion lesson 3: Water Filters
Standard: 5-ESS3-2(MA)– Test a simple system designed to filter particulates out of water and propose one change to the design to improve it.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 5.6 of The Earth System
Resources: Water Filters Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Benchmark Assessments
Amplify’s Benchmark Assessments are designed to help teachers measure student progress toward the three dimensions—Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), and Crosscutting Concepts(CCCs)—and performance expectations (PEs) of the NGSS. The assessments provide important insight into how students are progressing toward mastery of different standards ahead of high-stakes, end-of-year assessments.
The Benchmark Assessments are built to be delivered after specific units in the recommended Amplify Science scope and sequence.* They are given three or four times per year, depending on the grade level. The benchmarks are intended to show progress at various points in time across a school year, and are therefore not summative in nature. Digital items and item clusters are also tagged to specific NGSS standards, allowing customization to align with other course sequences. The assessments are available via the following platforms:
Print
PDF files: For administering Benchmark Assessments on paper
Digital platforms
- Illuminate
- SchoolCity
- Otus
- QTI (“Question and Test Interoperability”) files
Not sure whether QTI files are compatible with your assessment platform? Contact your school IT or assessment platform representative for more information.
Please note that Amplify is able to provide access to the QTI files themselves, but is not able to support the integration process. Your assessment platform provider should be able to assist with QTI file integration.
Remote and hybrid learning support
See an example of our remote and hybrid learning support below:
Intended to make extended remote and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science @Home includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @Home Videos and @Home Units.
Amplify Science @Home Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home.
Amplify Science @Home Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @Home Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. Each @Home unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @Home Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available
- Overviews to send home to families
Student materials will be available in two formats:
- @Home Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home
- Downloadable @Home Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home
Download the remote and hybrid learning guide
Explore the digital Teacher’s Guide
To familiarize yourself with navigation of the digital Teacher’s Guide, watch our navigational guide videos:
Grades K–5:
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We’ve developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans.
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials.
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs.
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more.
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
Ready to dive in?
Contact your Massachusetts representative:
Tracy Yefimenko
518-466-3497
tyefimenko@amplify.com
Our Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Supporting resources
- South Carolina recommended scope and sequence for grades 6–8
- South Carolina standards correlation for grades K–5
- Program Components K-5
- Curriculum Unit Kits K-5
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena? – ebook
- Phenomena in grades K–5
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Active Reading in grades 6–8
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Program structure for grades K–5
Scope and sequence
GRADE
UNITS
Kindergarten
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
GRADE
UNITS
Grade 6
- Launch: Microbiome
- Metabolism
- Metabolism Engineering Internship
- Thermal Energy
- Plate Motion
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship
- Rock Transformations
- Weather Patterns
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Grade 7
- Launch: Harnessing Human Energy
- Phase Change
- Phase Change Engineering Internship
- Magnetic Fields
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Grade 8
- Launch: Geology on Mars
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Light Waves
- Force and Motion
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship
- Traits and Reproduction
- Natural Selection
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship
- Evolutionary History
South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021
Amplify Science was designed from the ground up to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021 are closely aligned to the NGSS at K-8. The guidance below is meant to provide support for integrating additional companion activities that support full coverage of the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021.
Organized by grade level, each section below will outline:
- Additional activities that support 100% alignment to the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards 2021;
- The standard being addressed with the activities;
- The recommended placement of the activities within a specific Amplify Science unit; and
- PDFs of any accompanying materials that are necessary to implement the activities.
Standard: MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
Recommended placement: Thermal Energy unit, Lesson 4.4, addition to Activity 3
Materials: “Liquid Oxygen”
By reading the article “Liquid Oxygen,” which describes how the relationship between attraction and kinetic energy determines when a substance changes phase, students extend their understanding of the possible effects of adding or removing thermal energy to include changes in state (phase). Oxygen is one of the most common elements in the world, but most people are only familiar with oxygen in the gas phase. Because oxygen molecules are only weakly attracted to one another, condensing oxygen is difficult. This article introduces students to molecular attraction and discusses its role in phase change, including how it can be used to turn oxygen from a gas to a liquid.
Instructions:
Download PDFs of the “Liquid Oxygen” and distribute it to students. Before they begin reading, remind students of the Active Reading Guidelines.
Standard: MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
Recommended placement: Weather Patterns unit, Lesson 4.4, addition to Activity 3
Materials: “Harvesting Sunlight”, “Why No One in Space Can Hear You Scream” and “Making Waves at Swim Practice”
After investigating weather patterns, which includes a focus of the effects of energy from sunlight, students extend their learning about light by reading three articles about light and other waves.
“Harvesting Sunlight:” Students read this article to learn about the types of light from the sun that plants use for photosynthesis. The article describes how the sun emits all types of light, but plants can only use certain types of visible light for photosynthesis, mostly red and blue light. Plants also absorb other types of light, and these types of light affect plants in different ways. Students use this information to gather evidence that there are different types of light that can affect a material in different ways.
“Why No One in Space Can Hear You Scream:” Students read this article to learn about how waves are transmitted. Explosions that would be deafening on Earth are silent in space. This is because sound is produced by sound waves and, unlike light waves, sound waves need matter to travel through. Reading about this phenomenon helps students understand the similarities and differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
“Making Waves at Swim Practice:” A practice for the school swim team provides an everyday context for discussing light waves and sound waves in this engaging article. First, the article explores sound waves traveling through different materials–the air, the water of the pool, and even a metal poolside bench. Students discover that sound waves travel at different speeds in different materials. The later part of the article discusses light waves, which also travel at different speeds in different materials. As light waves move from one material to another, they change speed and bend. This bending of light waves is called refraction, and it explains why objects that are partly in the water and partly out of the water (such as the legs of a person sitting on the side of a pool) appear ripply and bent.
Instructions:
Plan one class period for each article. Download PDFs of the “Harvesting Sunlight,” “Why No One in Space Can Hear You Scream,” and “Making Waves at Swim Practice” articles. For each article, before students begin reading, preview the article and discuss what students already know and what they wonder about the topic, then remind students of the Active Reading Guidelines.
Standard: MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces. MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
Recommended placement: Harnessing Human Energy unit, Lesson 3.4, after Activity 1
Materials: “Earth’s Geomagnetism” and “Painting with Static Electricity”
After concluding their investigations of energy transfers and conversions, students read two articles that introduce the topic of forces that act at a distance.
“Earth’s Geomagnetism:” What makes a compass needle point north, no matter what? This article introduces students to Earth’s geomagnetic field and the field lines scientists use to show its direction.
“Painting with Static Electricity:” This article gives students the opportunity to learn about electrostatic fields and forces in the context of spray painting without making a mess. Electrostatic painting systems use electrostatics to draw spray paint toward the object being painted, and nowhere else. Painters charge the object they are painting with a negative charge and the paint with a positive charge. The opposite charges are attracted to one another, causing the paint to move toward the object. This surprising use of electrostatics saves time and paint and keeps things tidy!
Instructions
Plan one class period for each article. Download PDFs of the “Earth’s Geomagnetism” and “Painting with Electricity” articles. For each article, before students begin reading, preview the article and discuss what students already know and what they wonder about the topic, then remind students of the Active Reading Guidelines.
What’s included
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- Record data
- Reflect on ideas from texts and investigations
- Construct explanations and arguments
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and modeling tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- Conduct hands-on investigations
- Engage in active reading and writing activities
- Participate in discussions
- Record observations
- Craft end-of-unit scientific arguments
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- Classroom Slides
- Detailed lesson plans
- Unit and chapter overview documentation
- Differentiation strategies
- Standards alignments
- In-context professional development
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science. Each unit kit contains:
- Consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials
- Print classroom display materials
- Premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.)
Remote and hybrid learning supports
Amplify has launched a new remote learning solution called Amplify Science@Home. Intended to make extended remote learning and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science@Home includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @Home Videos and @Home Units.
Amplify Science @Home Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home. These videos will be produced for all K–5 units, and for the first four units of each 6–8 grade level. Their release will be rolling, beginning in August.
Amplify Science@Home Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @Home Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. @Home Units will be developed for all Amplify Science K–8 units. Each @Home unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @Home Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available.
- Overviews to send home to families.
Student materials are available in two formats:
- @Home Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home.
- Downloadable @Home Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home.
Download the Remote and hybrid learning guide.
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969
For less urgent questions:
Contact us
Contact your South Carolina team representatives:
Jeff Rutter
Field Manager
jrutter@amplify.com
(727) 512-8440
Lisa Jurovaty
Account Executive (West South Carolina)
ljurovaty@amplify.com
(803) 526-1899
Cathy McMillan (East South Carolina)
Senior Account Executive
cmcmillan@amplify.com
(904) 465-9904
Inspiring the next generation of Alabama scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Welcome to Amplify Science for grades 6–8!
On this site, you’ll find resources to guide you in your review.
When you’re ready to explore full units in the digital Teacher’s Guide, click the “Review” button at the bottom of this page.
About the program
In every unit of Amplify Science, students take on the roles of scientists and engineers to figure out real-world phenomena. Students actively investigate compelling questions by finding and evaluating evidence, then developing convincing arguments. These engaging roles and phenomena bring science to life in your classroom.
The program is built from the ground up for new science standards and three-dimensional learning. The Next Generation Science Standards have raised the bar in science education. We set out to create a science program that educators can leverage to bring three-dimensional learning to life for their students.
Hear from educators like you
Hear from teachers, administrators, and students across the country who are using Amplify Science in their classrooms right now.
Resources to support your review
Download the resources below before you review the program to better understand the program structure, components, real-world phenomena, digital resources, and more.
Walkthrough video
Before you explore the program, watch this video overview and get familiar with the digital Teacher’s Guide and where to find resources for you and your students online.
Start your review
To complete your review digitally, click the orange button below to explore the digital Teacher’s Guide. You’ll have access to one full unit from every grade.
When you explore the digital Teacher’s Guide, a quick guided tour will familiarize you with navigation of the program and its features.
While you can access all of the print resources from the digital Teacher’s Guide, we’ve collected a few exemplars here from each unit:
Student Investigation Notebook
Student Investigation Notebook
Request more information
If you’d like to review the full program, request physical samples, or speak to a product expert for more information, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.
Welcome, Idaho K-8 Science Reviewers!
Thank you for taking the time to review Amplify Science. On this site, you’ll find all the resources you need to learn more about this engaging and robust NGSS program. Below, you will also have the opportunity experience our program firsthand with a demo account to access the digital platform.
Amplify Science for grades K–8 has been rated all-green by EdReports. Read the review on EdReports.
Overview
With Amplify Science, students don’t just passively learn about science concepts. Instead, they take on the roles of scientists and engineers to actively investigate and make sense of real-world phenomena. They do this through a blend of cohesive and compelling storylines, hands-on investigations, collaborative discussions, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools.
Listen to these educators share how the program empowers students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers every day.
Grades K–5
Grades 6–8
Amplify Science Grades K-5 Tour for Idaho Educators
Amplify Science Grades 6-8 Tour for Idaho Evaluators
Program structure
Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities. As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon. It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science to teach less, but achieve more.
Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our program to address 100 percent of the NGSS and Idaho Standards in fewer days than other programs:
- In just 120 lessons at grades 6–8
- In just 66 lessons at grades K–2
- In just 88 lessons at grades 3–5
Unit types
Each unit delivers three-dimensional learning experiences and engages students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, while also emphasizing a particular science and engineering practice.
Investigation units
Investigation units focus on the process of strategically developing investigations and gathering data to answer questions. Students are first asked to consider questions about what happens in the natural world and why, and are then involved in designing and conducting investigations that produce data to help answer those questions.
Modeling units
Modeling units provide extra support to students engaging in the practice of modeling. Students use physical models, investigate with computer models, and create their own diagrams to help them visualize what might be happening on the nanoscale.
Engineering Design units
Engineering design units provide opportunities for students to solve complex problems by applying science principles to the design of functional solutions, and iteratively testing those solutions to determine how well they meet preset criteria.
Argumentation units
Argumentation units are introduced at grade 3 and provide students with regular opportunities to explore and discuss available evidence, time and support to consider how evidence may be leveraged in support of claims, and independence that increases as they mount written arguments in support of their claims.
Launch units
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of Amplify Science. The goal of the Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year, including argumentation, active reading, and using the program’s technology. For example, rather than taking the time to explain the process of active reading in every unit in a given year, it is explained thoroughly in the Launch unit, thereby preparing students to read actively in all subsequent units.
Core units
Core units establish the context of the unit by introducing students to a real-world problem. As students move through lessons in a Core unit, they figure out the unit’s anchoring phenomenon, gain an understanding of the unit’s disciplinary core ideas and science and engineering practices, and make linkages across topics through the crosscutting concepts. Each Core unit culminates with a Science Seminar and final writing activity.
Engineering Internship units
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. Students figure out how to help those in need, from tsunami victims in Sri Lanka to premature babies, through the application of engineering practices. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Idaho Science Standards Alignment
Amplify Science was built from the ground up to fully embrace the instructional shifts outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education (2012), the same framework on which Idaho Science Content Standards were founded. Most grade levels’ respective set of Amplify Science units therefore fully address the necessary Idaho Science Content Standards (see correlation). Grade 1 teachers should plan to also use the companion mini-lesson provided below to achieve full standards coverage for their grade.
Grade 1 Companion
Standard: 1-LS-1.3 Use classification supported by evidence to differentiate between living and non-living things.
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 1.1 of the Animal and Plant Defenses unit.
Resources: Classroom Slides
Science (Middle School Physical Science) Evaluation Form
Science (Middle School Life Science) Evaluation Form
Science Evaluation Form Middle School Earth and Space Science
Needs of Plants and Animals
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Investigation
Student role: Scientists
Phenomenon: There are no monarch caterpillars in the Mariposa Grove community garden since vegetables were planted.
Pushes and Pulls
Domains: Physical Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering design
Student role: Pinball engineers
Phenomenon: Pinball machines allow people to control the direction and strength of forces on a ball.
Sunlight and Weather
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Modeling
Student role: Weather scientists
Phenomenon: Students at Carver Elementary School are too cold during morning recess, while students at Woodland Elementary School are too hot during afternoon recess.
Animal and Plant Defenses
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Modeling
Student role: Marine scientists
Phenomenon: Spruce the Sea Turtle lives in an aquarium and will soon be released back into the ocean, where she will survive despite ocean predators.
Light and Sound
Domains: Physical Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering design
Student role: Light and sound engineers
Phenomenon: A puppet show company uses light and sound to depict realistic scenes in puppet shows.
Spinning Earth
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Investigation
Student role: Sky scientists
Phenomenon: The sky looks different to Sai and his grandma when they talk on the phone.
Plant and Animal Relationships
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Investigation
Student role: Plant scientists
Phenomenon: No new chalta trees are growing in the fictional Bengal Tiger Reserve in India.
Properties of Materials
Domains: Physical Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering design
Student role: Glue engineers
Phenomenon: Different glue recipes result in glues that have different properties.
Changing Landforms
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Modeling
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: The cliff that Oceanside Recreation Center is situated on appears to be receding over time.
Balancing Forces
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Modeling
Student role: Engineers
Phenomenon: The town of Faraday is getting a new train that floats above its tracks.
Inheritance and Traits
strong>Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Investigation
Student role: Wildlife biologists
Phenomenon: An adopted wolf in Graystone National Park (“Wolf 44”) has some traits that appear similar to one wolf pack in the park and other traits that appear to be similar to a different wolf pack.
Environments and Survival
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering design
Student role: Biomimicry engineers
Phenomenon: Over the last 10 years, a population of grove snails has changed: The number of grove snails with yellow shells has decreased, while the number of snails with banded shells has increased.
Weather and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Argumentation
Student role: Meteorologists
Phenomenon: Three different islands, each a contender for becoming an Orangutan reserve, experience different weather patterns.
Energy Conversions
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering design
Student role: System engineers
Phenomenon: The fictional town of Ergstown experiences frequent blackouts.
Vision and Light
Domain: Physical Science, Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Investigation
Student role: Conservation biologists
Phenomenon: The population of Tokay geckos in a rain forest in the Philippines has decreased since the installation of new highway lights.
Waves, Energy, and Information
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Modeling
Student role: Marine scientists
Phenomenon: Mother dolphins in the fictional Blue Bay National Park seem to be communicating with their calves when they are separated at a distance underwater.
Patterns of Earth and Sky
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Investigation
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An ancient artifact depicts what we see in the sky at different times — the sun during the daytime and different stars during the nighttime — but it is missing a piece.
Earth’s Features
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Argumentation
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: A mysterious fossil is discovered in a canyon within the fictional Desert Rocks National Park.
Modeling Matter
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Modeling
Student role: Food scientists
Phenomenon: Chromatography is a process for separating mixtures. Some solids dissolve in a salad dressing while others do not. Oil and vinegar appear to separate when mixed in a salad dressing.
The Earth System
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering Design
Student role: Water resource engineers
Phenomenon: East Ferris, a city on one side of the fictional Ferris Island, is experiencing a water shortage, while West Ferris is not.
Ecosystem Restoration
Domains:Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Argumentation
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The jaguars, sloths, and cecropia trees in a reforested section of a Costa Rican rain forest are not growing and thriving.
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Weather Patterns
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Populations and Resources
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed.
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Natural Selection
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Evolutionary History
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Harnessing Human Energy
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
Phase Change
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart.
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
Chemical Reactions
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
Light Waves
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Access program
In addition to the grade-level sample boxes that we provided, we’ve also created custom demo accounts just for Idaho reviewers.
To access the digital portion of the program, click the link below, select “Log In with Amplify,” and then refer to the Start here digital access flyer for your personalized login credentials.
Tutorial videos
Check out these videos for support on how to navigate the Amplify Science curriculum website, teacher’s guide, materials kits, and more!
Resources
Planning and instructional resources
- NYC K-5 Amplify Science Pacing Calendar with Investigations
- NYC 6-8 Amplify Science Pacing Calendar with Investigations
- Detailed K-8 Amplify Science Pacing Guides
Using the Amplify NYC Science Benchmarks
Planning and Implementation Guides
Implementation Rubric for Administrators
6-8 Look-for tool
K-5 Look-for Tool (1 page)
NYSED Investigations and Amplify Alignment
- NYC K-5 Amplify Science Pacing Calendar with Investigations
- NYC 6-8 Amplify Science Pacing Calendar with Investigations
- Detailed K-8 Amplify Science Pacing Guides
For more guidance on the New York state investigations and suggested pacing, please log in to your NYC account and check out the NYC Public Schools Science Collaborative Website for Elementary and for Intermediate.
NYC Companion resources
- Grade K companion documents
- Grade 3 companion documents
- “Where do we find water on Earth?” slideshow
- Water Cycle lesson
6-8 Companion Lessons can be found in the Amplify Science platform!
Grade 6 Lesson guides and Copymasters
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.2
- Time frame: 60 minutes (can spread across multiple class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS3-6, DCI: PS3.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3
- Time frame: Two 45-minute class periods
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-5, DCI: PS2.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3 and after Investigating Non-Touching Forces
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS2-5, MS-PS2-3, DCI: PS2.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.5
- Time frame: 105 minutes (can be spread across multiple class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-6, DCI: PS1.B
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.4
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS2-5, DCI: LS2.C, LS4.D
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 1.3
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-ESS2-4, DCI: ESS2.C
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3*
- Time frame: 90 minutes (can be spread across multiple class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-7, MS-ESS2-6, DCI: PS1.A, ESS2.C
- Links (click to download):
*Note: The homework assignment for Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Lesson 3.3 (reading the article “Deep Ocean Currents: Driven by Density”) should be assigned after the Investigating Deep Ocean Currents companion lesson rather than after Lesson 3.3.
Grade 7 Lesson Guides and Copymasters
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.2
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS1-3, DCI: PS3.D, LS1.A
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.3 or later
- Time frame: Three 45-minute class periods, each several days apart
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS1-8, DCI: LS1.D
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 3.5
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7, DCI: LS1.C, PS3.D
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.2
- Time frame: 60 minutes (first and second reads can be spread across two class periods)
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-4, DCI: PS3.A
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 1.3
- Time frame: 60 minutes
- NYSP–12SLS: PE: MS-PS1-7, DCI: PS1.A
- Links (click to download):
- Companion lesson: Insert after Lesson 2.3, 2.4, or 2.5
- Time frame: Two 45-minute class periods
- NYSP–PE: MS-PS1-8, MS-PS1-2 DCI: PS1.A, PS1.B
- Links (click to download):
Grade 8 Lesson Guides and Copymaster
NYC Companion Kits
Materials needed to teach Amplify Science lessons are provided in a kit for each unit. While some materials used in the NYC Companion Lessons are also found in a unit’s kit, materials specific to the companion lessons are provided in NYC Companion Kits. The contents of each kit and any additional materials needed to teach the companion lessons are listed in the PDFs provided below. Please select your grade to view or download the list.
NYC Student Editions (print)
The NYC Student Editions are durable student references that compile all reading material required for a grade level, including the articles students read for NYC Companion Lessons. Students reading in the Student Edition should annotate the text directly with sticky notes to achieve the full benefits of Active Reading. The Active Reading approach was designed as an interactive process in which students highlight and annotate digital or hard copies of articles directly. Printable versions of the articles are available in the downloads section below.
- Harnessing Human Energy: Printable article: “Magnetic Force and Rainbow Trout”
- Harnessing Human Energy: Printable article: “Gravity and Bats”
- Harnessing Human Energy: Printable article: “Electrostatic Force and Bees”
- Populations and Resources: Printable article: “The Amazing Variety of Life in a Coral Reef”
- Weather Patterns: Printable article: “What Makes Water Move?”
- Metabolism: Printable article: “How You Are Like a Sneezing Iguana”
- Metabolism: Printable article: “How Do Trees Grow So Huge Without Eating?”
- Phase Change: Printable article: “Icy Heat”
- Chemical Reactions: Printable article: “This Is Not an Oxygen Tank”
It is recommended that NYC teachers insert this additional lesson between Lessons 3.1 and 3.2 in order to have students complete a reading assignment in class along with an additional Sim activity.
- Lesson: Earth, Moon and Sun: Modeling Seasons
- Lesson Placement: Insert between Lessons 3.1 and 3.2*
- Links (click to download):
*If teaching this Modeling Seasons lesson, do not assign reading “The Endless Summer of the Arctic Tern” article for homework in Lesson 3.1. However, students should still model a lunar eclipse with the Modeling Tool for homework, as they will be revisiting and revising this model in Lesson 3.3.
NYC Investigation Notebooks (for teacher download)
- Harnessing Human Energy*
- Thermal Energy*
- Populations and Resources*
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Weather Patterns*
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate*
- Earth’s Changing Climate
* includes NYC Companion Lesson Copymaster(s)
- Microbiome
- Metabolism*
- Phase Change*
- Chemical Reactions*
- Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship: Plate Motion
- Rock Transformations
- Engineering Internship: Earth’s Changing Climate
* includes NYC Companion Lesson Copymaster(s)
- Geology on Mars
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship: Force and Motion
- Magnetic Fields*
- Light Waves
- Traits and Reproduction
- Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
* includes NYC Companion Lesson Copymaster(s)
Remote and hybrid learning resources
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify. This partnership extends to 2032, allowing us to continuously improve our program and provide our customers with the most up-to-date enhancements, free of charge. Get a glimpse at our latest back-to-school updates here.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
Phenomena-based approach
In each Amplify Science unit, students take on the roles of scientists or engineers in order to investigate a real-world problem. Students work to define the problem and collect and make sense of evidence. Once the context is clear, students collect evidence from multiple sources and through a variety of modalities. At the end of the unit, students are presented with a brand new problem, giving them an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned over the course of the unit to a new context. This represents a shift from asking students to learn about science to supporting students in figuring out the science.
Resources to support your review
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena?—ebook
- Phenomena in grades K–5
- Phenomena in grades 6–8
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Active Reading in grades 6–8
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Amplify Science: See it in action
- EdReports—Compare resources
Remote and hybrid learning support
See an example of our remote and hybrid learning support below:
- K–5 example—Balancing Forces: Chapter 2, Lesson 2.3
- 6–8 example—Force and Motion: Chapter 3, Lesson 3.2
This fall, Amplify launched a new remote learning solution called Amplify Science@Home. Intended to make extended remote and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science @Home includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @Home Videos and @Home Units.
Amplify Science @Home Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home. These videos will be produced for all K–5 units, and for the first four units of each 6–8 grade level. Their release will be rolling, beginning in August.
Amplify Science @Home Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @Home Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. @Home Units will be developed for all Amplify Science K–8 units. Each @Home unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @Home Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available
- Overviews to send home to families
Student materials will be available in two formats:
- @Home Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home
- Downloadable @Home Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home
Download the remote and hybrid learning guide
Benchmark Assessments
Amplify’s Benchmark Assessments are designed to help teachers measure student progress toward the three dimensions—Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), and Crosscutting Concepts(CCCs)—and performance expectations (PEs) of the NGSS. The assessments provide important insight into how students are progressing toward mastery of different standards ahead of high-stakes, end-of-year assessments.
The Benchmark Assessments are built to be delivered after specific units in the recommended Amplify Science scope and sequence.* They are given three or four times per year, depending on the grade level. The benchmarks are intended to show progress at various points in time across a school year, and are therefore not summative in nature. Digital items and item clusters are also tagged to specific NGSS standards, allowing customization to align with other course sequences. The assessments are available via the following platforms:
Print
PDF files: For administering Benchmark Assessments on paper
Digital platforms
- Illuminate
- SchoolCity
- Otus
- QTI (“Question and Test Interoperability”) files
Not sure whether QTI files are compatible with your assessment platform? Contact your school IT or assessment platform representative for more information.
Please note that Amplify is able to provide access to the QTI files themselves, but is not able to support the integration process. Your assessment platform provider should be able to assist with QTI file integration.
Flexible implementation
One of the key features of Amplify Science is the flexibility that it offers. We give students authentic opportunities to experience the full breadth of what it means to be a scientist or engineer. Just as scientists gather evidence from many types of sources, so do students in our program. Like scientists, students gather evidence not just from physical models, but also from digital models, texts, videos, photographs, maps, data sets, and even their peers!
Simply put, real scientists don’t just get messy—they read, write, analyze, hypothesize, model, test, and communicate with purpose, too.
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Books
Beginning and young readers have unique developmental needs, and science instruction should support these students in reading more independently as they progress through sections of content, the school year, and each grade. One way Amplify Science meets these needs is by strategically deploying different modes of reading throughout each unit: Read-Aloud, Shared Reading, and Partner Reading.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- record data.
- reflect on ideas from texts and investigations.
- construct explanations and arguments.
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and Modeling Tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- conduct hands-on investigations.
- engage in Active Reading and writing activities.
- participate in discussions.
- record observations.
- craft end-of-unit scientific arguments.
Dive into a quick example of our powerful simulations
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science and is integrated
into every unit. Students actively take on the roles of scientists and engineers as they gather evidence, think critically, solve problems, and develop and defend claims about the world around them.
Check out these 2-minute videos to see an Amplify Science hands-on investigation in action.
- Grade 2: Hands-on investigation from Animal and Plant Relationships
- Grade 6: Hands-on investigation from Populations andResources
Each unit kit contains:
- consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials.
- print classroom display materials.
- premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.).
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- detailed lesson plans.
- unit and chapter overview documentation.
- differentiation strategies.
- standards alignments.
- in-context professional development.
Scope and Sequence
Minnesota Academic Standards in Science coverage
Amplify Science was designed from the ground up to meet the NGSS, a set of standards that closely align with the K–8 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science (MASS). Therefore, most grade levels’ respective set of Amplify Science units address the necessary MASS (see K–5 reverse alignment and/or correlations for K–5 and 6–8). However, for grades 2–4, teachers should also use the resources provided in the sections below to achieve full coverage of the appropriate standards before their students move on to the next grade level. Organized by grade level, each section outlines:
- companion lesson materials that were written to support 100% alignment to the Minnesota Academic Standards in Science when used with the core Amplify Science units for the grade level
- the standard being addressed with each companion lesson; and
- the recommended placement of each companion lesson within a specific Amplify Science unit
Companion lesson: “Shelter”
Standard: 1P.4.2.2.1 Communicate solutions that use materials to provide shelter, food, or warmth needs for communities including Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.* (P: 8, CC: 2, CI: PS1, ETS2)
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 5.1 of Spinning Earth
Materials: Shelter Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Companion lesson: “Describing Climates”
Standard: 2E.4.2.1.2 Obtain and use information from multiple sources, including electronic sources, to describe climates in different regions of the world.** (P: 8, CC: 1, CI: ESS2)
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 4.5 of Changing Landforms
Materials: Describing Climates Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Note: Students will further investigate the content in this standard, and revisit the book used in this companion lesson, in 3rd grade (Weather and Climate unit)
Companion lesson 1: Light and Vision
Standard: 3P.3.1.1.1 Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen. (P: 2, CC: 2, CI: PS4)
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 4.5 of Environments and Survival
Materials: Light and Vision Part 1 Classroom Slides and Student Sheet; Light and Vision Part 2 Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Note: Students will further investigate the content in this standard, and revisit the book used in this companion lesson, in 4th grade (Vision and Light unit)
Companion lesson 2: Studying Stars
Standard: 3E.4.2.2.1 Gather information and communicate how Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities and other cultures use patterns in stars to make predictions and plans. (P 8, CC: 1, CI: ESS1)
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 4.4 of Weather and Climate
Materials: Studying Stars Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Note: Students will further investigate the content in this standard, and revisit the book used in this companion lesson, in 5th grade (Patterns of Earth and Sky unit)
Companion lesson 1: Salt Water and Freshwater
Standard: 4E.2.2.1.1 Interpret charts, maps and/or graphs of the amounts of salt water and fresh water in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.** (P: 5, CC: 4, CI: ESS2)
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 2.6 of Earth’s’ Features
Materials: Salt Water and Freshwater Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Note: Students will further investigate the content in this standard, and revisit the book used in this companion lesson, in 5th grade (The Earth System unit)
Companion lesson 2: How Raindrops Form
Standard: 4E.1.1.1.2 Ask questions about how water moves through the Earth system and identify the type of question. (P: 1, CC: 5, CI: ESS2)
Recommended placement: Following Lesson 4.5 of Earth’s’ Features
Materials: How Raindrops Form Classroom Slides and Student Sheet
Note: Students will further investigate the content in this standard, and revisit the book used in this companion lesson, in 5th grade (The Earth System unit)
Explore the digital Teacher’s Guide
To familiarize yourself with navigation of the digital Teacher’s Guide, watch our navigational guide videos:
Grades K–5:
Grades 6–8:
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We’ve developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans.
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials.
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs.
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more.
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
Ready to dive in?
Contact your Minnesota representative:
Kristi Stengel
Account Executive
kstengel@amplify.com
(612) 306-3941
Tammy Sigwarth
Account Executive
tsigwarth@amplify.com
(563) 663-0056
Welcome!
As the 2021-2022 school year continues to pose new challenges, you’re likely thinking about making your classroom responsive to student needs due to the covid-19 pandemic.
- CLRT in Amplify Science
- SEL in Amplify Science
- Responsive Relaunch Introduction Video
- Responsive Relaunch NYC Brief
Got additional questions? Use Zoom to attend office hours with Nadya Awadallah, the DOE’s Elementary Science Lead on Fridays from 12-1pm.
Meeting ID: 835 9458 3142
Passcode: 263518
NYC Newsletters
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- October 2020
Educator Spotlight Submission
Calling all NYC DOE educators! Do you know an educator who has gone above and beyond? Would you like to highlight your teaching experience for others? Submit nominations here to see them featured as a spotlight in a future edition of our monthly newsletter and on our Instagram pages!
Introduction
This page includes planning, implementation, and professional learning resources for NYC schools using Amplify Science. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the categories in the navigation bar on the left side of the page so that you’ll be able to easily find what you need.
Most New York City educators come here looking for specific information, but if you’re new to Amplify Science, we recommend you read through the program guide to learn a little about the program.
New to Amplify? – Start HERE!
Teachers and Administrators
Step 1: Review the Amplify Science Navigation Essentials K-5 Video
Step 2: Review your Scope and sequence/course structure calendar
Step 3: Review the Unpacking the Kit Videos listed below to understand what’s in your unit 1 kit
Step 4: Access your unique log in information to log-in to the Amplify Science Curriculum outlined below under Login support
Step 5: Log into the platform and access our Program Hub. Select Using this site for self study for a complete suite of training videos and resources for an initial orientation video series
Step 6: Log into the curriculum and begin studying the Unit Map and Teacher’s Guide resources and begin planning your first lesson. Print out the NYC Program Guide for essential program information.
Step 7: Administrator’s ONLY – Review the K-5 Admin Orientation presentation for an overview on the program. Review materials under Admin Resources.
NOTE: Should you need any additional guidance on how to get started with prep (or anything else!), please feel free to get in touch with our pedagogical support team. They are available Monday-Friday from 7AM-7PM EST. You can reach them via the chat icon in the lower right- hand corner of your screen when logged in, through email (help@amplify.com), or via phone (800-823-1969).
Getting started resources
NYC Resource Site overview – quick links
Login support
- Login video: classroom teacher login via Amplify
- Classroom teachers: Login with Amplify or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- Cluster teachers: Login with Amplify
- K-5 administrators: Login with Amplify or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- K-5 students: Shared student logins login with Amplify
- Other staff (co-teachers, ICT, etc.): Administrator instructions for creating a Shared Teacher Login
Materials
- Materials lists – lists of kit contents by unit
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - Spanish materials lists – lists of Spanish print kit contents by unit
K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 - Kit-level packing detail (chart) – high-level information regarding kits including dimensions, weights, etc.
Unpacking your first Amplify Science classroom kit
All Amplify Science units coming with kits that include hands-on and print materials. The number of boxes (sometimes referred to as “tubs”) varies depending on the unit.
- Kindergarten: Needs of Plants and Animals
- Grade 1: Plant and Animal Defenses
- Grade 2: Animal and Plant Relationships
- Grade 3: Balancing Forces
- Grade 4: Energy Conversion
- Grade 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
21-22 Login Update
The temporary login credentials for fall ’21 have been deactivated.
Please make sure you check out the Getting started resources > Login support below for instructions around teacher and the NYC shared student logins.
If there are any issues, please confirm with your STARS programmer that your classes are finalized and then contact the Amplify Help Desk at help@amplify.com or at 1-800-823-1969.
Planning and implementation resources
Use our NYC Field Trip List to plan an engaging field trip for your students!
Use the resources below to plan out your year and ensure you are teaching each standard to mastery.
- K–5 Course Structure Calendar
- Planning and Implementation Guide – Kindergarten
- Planning and Implementation Guide – Grade 1
- Planning and Implementation Guide – Grade 2
- Planning and Implementation Guide – Grade 3
- Planning and Implementation Guide – Grade 4
- Planning and Implementation Guide – Grade 5
NYC DOE Supplemental Guiding Documents: Curriculum Gaps
- Grade K Curriculum Gaps
- Grade 3 Curriculum Gaps
- “Where do we find water on Earth?” slideshow (Unit 3, L. 1 of 2)
- Water Cycle Lesson (Unit 3, L. 2 of 2)
- Grade 4 Curriculum Gaps
- Water Cycle Powerpoint (Ch.1, L. 1)
Admin resources
- Implementation Rubric
- Look-for Tool (1 page)
- Look-for Tool (3 pages)
- NYC Resource Site overview – quick links
- Introduction to Amplify Science for Administrators K-5 Webinar
- 2021 Fall Administrators’ Orientation: Introduction to K-5 Amplify Science Participant notebook and presentation
- 2021 Spring Utilizing the Amplify Science Assessment System Webinar
- 2020 Summer New Administrator Orientation Agenda, Presentation, Webinar, and Participant Notebook
- 2020 Summer Returning Administrator Orientation Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
Remote and hybrid learning resources
In response to the shifts towards remote learning, Amplify has created resources for using our programs remotely. Please visit our Program Hub accessible via your Teacher Platform for all of our hybrid and remote learning supports which includes guidance for teachers and parents/guardians.
Additionally, please see below where you’ll find the recordings from our recently held webinars on our remote learning resources and some best practices for implementing Amplify Science in a distance learning setting.
Resource guides
On-demand remote learning videos
Professional Learning Opportunities
Interested in attending training? Check out and sign up for this year’s PL offerings here!
All 2021-2022 PL session materials will be uploaded below under Professional learning resources.
Amplify Science Back-to-School Recorded Webinars – Amplify held a series of national office hours throughout the summer and fall to share information about our new resources to support remote and hybrid learning– including recommendations about what to prioritize from your curriculum and essential refresher topics, such as how to navigate your program and find the best planning resources. Feel free to watch all recorded sessions at your convenience.
21-22 Professional learning resources
Fall 2021 materials:
- Make Science Accessible for All Learners K-2 Presentation
- Three-Dimensional Learning in Amplify Science: Kindergarten Agenda, K Presentation, Participant notebook, and Webinar
Summer 2021 materials:
- Exploring the Amplify Science K-2 Presentation pt.1, pt. 2, pt. 3, and Participant notebook
- Exploring the Amplify Science K-2 Curriculum Webinar: Digging Deeper Presentation and Participant notebook
Fall 2021 materials:
- Make Science Accessible for All Learners K-2 Presentation
- Three-Dimensional Learning in Amplify Science: 1st Grade Agenda, Grade 1 Presentation, Participant notebook, and Webinar,
Summer 2021 materials:
- Exploring the Amplify Science K-2 Presentation pt.1, pt. 2, pt. 3, and Participant notebook
- Exploring the Amplify Science K-2 Curriculum Webinar: Digging Deeper Presentation and Participant notebook
Fall 2021 materials:
- Make Science Accessible for All Learners K-2 Presentation
- Three-Dimensional Learning in Amplify Science: 2nd Grade Agenda, Grade 2 Presentation, Participant notebook, and Webinar
Summer 2021 materials:
- Exploring the Amplify Science K-2 Presentation pt.1, pt. 2, pt. 3, and Participant notebook
- Exploring the Amplify Science K-2 Curriculum Webinar: Digging Deeper Presentation and Participant notebook
Fall 2021 materials:
- Make Science Accessible for All Learners 3-5 Presentation
- Three-Dimensional Learning in Amplify Science: 3rd Grade Agenda, Grade 3 Presentation, Participant notebook, and Webinar
Summer 2021 materials:
- Exploring the Amplify Science 3-5 Curriculum Presentation pt.1, pt. 2, pt. 3, and Participant notebook
- Exploring the Amplify Science 3-5 Curriculum Webinar: Digging Deeper Presentation and Participant notebook
Fall 2021 materials:
- Make Science Accessible for All Learners 3-5 Presentation
- Three-Dimensional Learning in Amplify Science: 4th Grade Agenda, Grade 4 Presentation, Participant notebook, and Webinar
Summer 2021 materials:
- Exploring the Amplify Science 3-5 Curriculum Presentation pt.1, pt. 2, pt. 3, and Participant notebook
- Exploring the Amplify Science 3-5 Curriculum Webinar: Digging Deeper Presentation and Participant notebook
Fall 2021 materials:
- Make Science Accessible for All Learners 3-5 Presentation
- Three-Dimensional Learning in Amplify Science: 5th Grade Agenda, Grade 5 Presentation, Participant notebook, and Webinar
Summer 2021 materials:
- Exploring the Amplify Science 3-5 Curriculum Presentation pt.1, pt. 2, pt. 3, and Participant notebook
- Exploring the Amplify Science 3-5 Curriculum Webinar: Digging Deeper Presentation and Participant notebook
20-21 Professional learning resources
Winter 2021 materials:
- K-2 Introduction to Amplify Science Webinar, Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, K Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and K Presentation
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and K Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Webinar, Agenda, K Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Webinar, Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Webinar with Agenda and K Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional LearningWebinar with Agenda and Grade K Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science ClassroomAgenda and Grade K Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda with K Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grades K-1 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades K-1 Webinar
- Kindergarten New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Kindergarten Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Winter 2021 materials:
- K-2 Introduction to Amplify Science Webinar, Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 1st Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 1st Grade Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 1st Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Webinar, Agenda, 1st Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Webinar with Agenda and Grade 1 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional LearningAgenda and Grade 1 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science ClassroomWebinar, Agenda and Grade 1 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda with Grade 1 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grades K-1 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades K-1 recorded webinar
- Grade 1 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grade 1 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Winter 2021 materials:
- K-2 Introduction to Amplify Science Webinar, Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 2nd Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 2nd Grade Presentation
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 2nd Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Agenda, 2nd Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with TechnologyWebinar with Agenda and Grade 2 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional LearningWebinar with Agenda and Grade 2 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science ClassroomWebinar with Agenda and Grade 2 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda with Grade 2 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- K-5 New Teacher Orientation with Participant Notebook
- Grades 2-3 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 2-3 Webinar
- Grade 2 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Spring 2021 materials:
- Unit 4: Focusing on Evidence of Learning for New Teachers Webinar
Winter 2021 materials:
- Grades 3-5 Introduction to Amplify Science Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 3rd Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 3rd Grade Presentation
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 3rd Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Progress Builds and Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts Agenda, 3rd Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with TechnologyWebinar with Agenda and Grade 3 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional LearningAgenda and Grade 3 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science ClassroomWebinar, Agenda and Grade 3 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda with Grade 3 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grade 3 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grades 2-3 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 2-3 Webinar
- Grade 3 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Winter 2021 materials:
- Grades 3-5 Introduction to Amplify Science Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Agenda, 4th Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 4th Grade Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 4th Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Webinar, Agenda, 4th Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Webinar, Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with TechnologyWebinar, Agenda and Grade 4 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional LearningWebinar with Agenda and Grade 4 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science ClassroomAgenda and Grade 4 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda with Grade 4 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grade 4 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grades 4-5 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 4-5 Webinar
- Grade 4 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Winter 2021 materials:
- Grades 3-5 Introduction to Amplify Science Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 5th Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 5th Grade Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Webinar, Agenda, 5th Grade Presentation, and Webinar
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Teaching with TechnologyAgenda and Grade 5 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional LearningWebinar with Agenda and Grade 5 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science ClassroomWebinar, Agenda and Grade 5 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid LearningAgenda with Grade 5 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grade 5 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grades 4-5 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 4-5 Webinar
- Grade 5 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
19-20 Professional learning resources
Summer 2019 materials:
- Needs of Plants and Animals (Year 1 schools)
- Needs of Plants and Animals (Year 2 schools)
Fall 2019 materials:
- Pushes and Pulls (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Pushes and Pulls (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Spring 2020 materials:
- Reaching ALL Learners: Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively in Grades K & 1 – Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Animal and Plant Defenses (Year 1 schools)
- Animal and Plant Defenses (Year 2 schools)
Fall 2019 materials:
- Light and Sound (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Light and Sound (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Spring 2020 materials:
- Reaching ALL Learners: Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively in Grades K & 1 – Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Plant and Animal Relationships (Year 1 schools)
- Plant and Animal Relationships (Year 2 schools)
Fall 2019 materials:
- Properties of Materials (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Properties of Materials (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Spring 2020 materials:
- Reaching ALL Learners: Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively in Grades 2 & 3 – Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Balancing Forces (Year 1 schools)
- Balancing Forces (Year 2 schools)
Fall 2019 materials:
- Inheritance and Traits (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Inheritance and Traits (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Spring 2020 materials:
- Reaching ALL Learners: Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively in Grades 2 & 3 – Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Energy Conversions (Year 1 schools)
- Energy Conversions (Year 2 schools)
Fall 2019 materials:
- Vision and Light (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Vision and Light (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Patterns of Earth and Sky (Year 1 schools)
- Patterns of Earth and Sky (Year 2 schools)
Fall 2019 materials;
- Modeling Matter (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Modeling Matter (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Caregiver Resources
Caregiver letters – information about Next Generation Science Standards by grade level
Questions
For general questions about the Amplify program (navigation, pedagogy, login), please reach out:
Email – scihelp@amplify.com
Phone – call toll-free at (800) 823-1969, Monday to Friday 7 a.m.–7 p.m. ET
Amplify Chat – click the Amplify Chat icon within the individual teacher account
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science is a recognized leader in PreK–12 science education, producing groundbreaking curriculum products for more than 40 years, including the international award-winning Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®. The Hall’s curriculum materials are used in one in four classrooms across the nation.
Amplify has been pioneering digital education products for more than 15 years, empowering teachers across the country to offer more personalized instruction and accelerate the potential of their students to become more active, engaged learners. Amplify has supported more than 200,000 educators and three million students in all 50 states.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on experience in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, clearly expressing their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking—just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Elementary school course structure
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Middle school course structure (domain model)
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Light
Middle school course structure (integrated model)
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Thermal Energy
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary
Begin your review
To begin your review, click the button below to log in as a teacher.
Watch a video walkthrough
Contact your Delaware representative
Denise Donahue
Account Executive
Email: ddonahue@amplify.com
Phone: (410) 251-5855
Amplify Science professional development
Amplify Science blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. We’ve created a wide suite of professional development offerings that will help you meet your unique needs this school year. Find out more below!
Amplify CKLA, ELA, and Science professional development has been vetted by Rivet Education’s team through a rigorous three-step process and is listed in the Professional Learning Partner Guide.
Plan your professional development
We’re excited to partner with you on your Amplify journey. Flexible professional development pathways have been designed to meet your needs.
Recommended professional development plan
Our team has curated a recommended professional learning path from initial launch to continuous support. Use the Professional Development Planning Guide below to discuss the plan that best meets your school or district needs with your Account Executive.
Sessions overview
| Audience | Title | Duration | Modality | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | ||||
| K–5 instructional leaders | Administrators’ program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes^ |
| TK teachers | Transitional kindergarten program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| K–5 teachers | Initial training | 1 day onsite or 2 days remote |
Onsite/Remote | Yes*^ |
| K–5 teachers | Program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| Interactive Classroom consultation | 90 min. | Remote | Yes | |
| 6–8 instructional leaders | Administrators’ program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| 6–8 teachers | Initial training | 1 day onsite or 2 days remote |
Onsite/Remote | Yes* |
| 6–8 teachers | Program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| Strengthen | ||||
| K–5 instructional leaders | Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| K–5 teachers | Guided unit internalization | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| K–5 teachers | The Assessment System | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| Supporting all learners with complex texts | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Writing in science | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Supporting English learners | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| 6–8 instructional leaders | Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| 6–8 teachers | Guided unit internalization | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| 6–8 teachers | The Assessment System | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| Supporting all learners with complex texts | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Writing in science | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Supporting English learners | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Engineering Internships | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Science Seminar | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| Coach | ||||
| K–5 instructional leaders | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite | Yes |
| K–5 teachers | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| 6–8 instructional leaders | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite | Yes |
| 6–8 teachers | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| Note for all workshops: Any single three-hour offering can be repeated on the same day with different audiences to make one full-day session. | ||||
| *When delivered remotely, this full-day initial training session (6 hours) is split into two half-day sessions (3 hours each). Part 1 and Part 2 may be scheduled consecutively on the same day or on different days, ideally within ~2 weeks. The same participants should attend both sessions in order to receive all content. This flexible scheduling opportunity for remote sessions will be available starting 6/2022. | ||||
^Session will be available for IC customers after June 1, 2022.
Launch
For teachers
Initial training
1 day onsite (6 hours) or 2 half days remote (6 hours)*
Grade band: K–1 / K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
In the first half of this session, participants learn the essentials necessary to implement Amplify Science with success. They learn to navigate the digital Amplify Science platform and become familiar with planning resources and strategies. Through a model lesson and guided reflection, participants build an understanding of the instructional approach to teaching and learning. In the second half of this session, participants dig deeper into unit resources to start planning for instruction for their first grade-level unit.
When delivered as a grade band session, Part 1 will feature an exemplar from the following units:
- K–1 workshops feature an exemplar from the grade 1 unit Animal and Plant Defenses.
- K–5 workshops feature an exemplar from the grade 4 unit Energy Conversions.
- 6–8 workshops feature an exemplar from the Metabolism Core unit.
When delivered as a grade level session, Part 1 features the following units:
- K: Needs of Plants and Animals
- 1: Animal and Plant Defenses
- 2: Plant and Animal Relationships
- 3: Balancing Forces
- 4: Energy Conversions
- 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
6–8 workshops feature one of the following units:
- Metabolism
- Plate Motion
- Force and Motion
Interactive Classroom customers: Select K-5 grade band or K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 grade level sessions (available starting 6/2022)
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
*When delivered remotely, this full-day initial training session (6 hours) is split into two half-day sessions (3 hours each). Part 1 and Part 2 may be scheduled consecutively on the same day or on different days, ideally within two weeks. The same participants should attend both sessions in order to receive all content. This flexible scheduling opportunity for remote sessions will be available starting 6/2022.
Interactive Classroom consultation
90 minutes
Grade band: K–5
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
In this remote consultation session, participants prepare to leverage Amplify Science’s new K-5 Interactive Classroom experience. The session includes a walkthrough of new digital features available to teachers and an opportunity for participants to experience these enhancements through modeled activities from an exemplar K-5 unit. The session closes with time for participants to explore the digital features and ask questions to support their planning.
*This session is designed for experienced Amplify Science users who are new to adding Interactive Classroom.
Audience: Teachers, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
Program overview
Half day (3 hours)
Grand band: K–1, K–5, 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
In this session, participants learn the essentials necessary to implement Amplify Science with success. They learn to navigate the digital Amplify Science platform and become familiar with planning resources and strategies. Through a model lesson and guided reflection, participants build an understanding of the instructional approach to teaching and learning.
When delivered as a grade band session, an exemplar will be featured from the following units:
- K–1 workshops feature an exemplar from the grade 1 unit Animal and Plant Defenses.
- K–5 workshops feature an exemplar from the grade 4 unit Energy Conversions.
- 6–8 workshops feature an exemplar from Metabolism.
When delivered as a grade level session, the following units will be featured:
- K: Needs of Plants and Animals
- 1: Animal and Plant Defenses
- 2: Plant and Animal Relationships
- 3: Balancing Forces
- 4: Energy Conversions
- 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
6–8 workshops feature one of the following units:
- Metabolism
- Plate Motion
- Force and Motion
Interactive Classroom customers: Select K-5 grade band or K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 grade level sessions
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Transitional kindergarten program overview
Half day (3 hours)
Grade level: TK
In this session, participants dive into exploring and planning for the first TK unit, Wondering About Noises in Trees. They engage with model activities, experience key instructional routines, and plan how they’ll implement this flexible curriculum in their classrooms. Participants collaborate to build a deep understanding of the TK instructional approach and structure. They will leave ready to start instruction in their classrooms, and take away a suite of additional resources to support their preparation for other TK units.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remotewelcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
For instructional leaders
Administrators’ program overview
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
In this session, instructional leaders become familiar with the principles of phenomenon-based teaching and learning, and experience the instructional approach of Amplify Science units. Leaders consider their essential role supporting teachers and students with the implementation of a new science curriculum.
Interactive Classroom customers: Select K-5 grade band session (available starting 6/2022)
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Strengthen
For teachers
The Assessment System
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
In this session, participants learn about the structure and purpose of the varied formative and summative opportunities in the Amplify Science Assessment System. Participants experience and analyze a sample formative assessment, deepen their understanding of unit learning progressions, and acquire strategies for collecting, analyzing, and responding to student assessment data. Collaborative reflections and discussions support participants’ understanding of the relationships among different types of assessments and their unit’s learning goals.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Supporting all learners with complex texts
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
In this session, participants learn strategies to support all students as they access the complex texts in Amplify Science units. They explore the connections among the ways professional scientists read and how Amplify Science lessons build students’ capacity as science readers. The workshop includes a model reading sequence, collaborative problem-solving around common student reading challenges, and planning time for upcoming reading lessons in participants’ units.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Writing in science
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
K–5: In this session, participants develop an understanding of how the Amplify Science writing approach supports students to engage in science practices, make sense of science ideas, and develop as writers. Participants experience an example multimodal instructional sequence that demonstrates the connections among informal daily writing and the more structured formal scientific explanations and arguments students write in each Amplify Science unit. They dig into resources for analyzing student writing then apply their learning to plan for supporting student writing in their unit.
6-8: In this session, participants develop an understanding of how the Amplify Science writing approach supports students to engage in science practices, make sense of science ideas, and develop as writers. Participants experience an example instructional sequence that demonstrates the varied purposes for frequent small, informal writing opportunities in multimodal science instruction, then they analyze how each core unit’s culminating Science Seminar experience works as a scaffold to support students as they write sophisticated scientific arguments. The session closes with a guided reflection on strategies for supporting student writing.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Supporting English learners
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
In this session, participants explore strategies to support English learners’ ability to do, talk, read, write, visualize, and construct arguments like scientists. By engaging in model activities, participants deepen their knowledge of the critical role that language and literacy play in developing scientific understanding. Participants become familiar with the research-based principles underlying the embedded supports and strategies in Amplify Science, which aid in students’ development of disciplinary literacy in science.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Guided unit internalization
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: TK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
In this session, participants leverage a planning protocol to internalize an upcoming unit. They apply their understanding of how students engage in three-dimensional learning throughout the unit to plan for the diverse needs of their classrooms and students.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Engineering Internships
Half day (3 hours)
Grade level: 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
In this session, participants explore and plan for the first Engineering Internship of their grade-level course. Participants are oriented to the Futura Workspace and other digital tools used with students in the internship experience. Participants also dive deeper into how students apply science concepts from core units to construct design solutions, learning engineering concepts and practices throughout the process.
Workshop will feature one of the following units:
- Metabolism Engineering Internship
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Science Seminar
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: 6–8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
This session focuses on the culminating Science Seminar sequence at the end of the grades 6–8 core units, in which students apply the conceptual understanding built throughout the unit to engage in argumentation about a unique but related phenomenon. Participants experience a Science Seminar sequence from an exemplar unit as students do, then dive into a unit at their grade level to internalize the Science Seminar sequence and plan for instruction.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Strengthening consultation session
60-minute session
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
This 60-minute session focuses on a specific topic that will deepen teachers understanding of Amplify Science. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district leadership team in advance on the topic (chosen from a menu of options) that will best meet teachers’ unique options.
Topics include:
- Supporting Diverse Learners: Exploring the resources (for K–8 teachers)
- Supporting Diverse Learners: Leveraging and Building upon Embedded Supports A: Teacher modeling and student discourse (for K–8 teachers)
- Supporting Diverse Learners: Leveraging and Building upon Embedded Supports B: Multimodal instruction
- Planning an Amplify Science lesson (for K–8 teachers)
- Unit kits and materials prep (for K–5 teachers)
- Grading with Amplify Science (for K–8 teachers)
- Analyzing Student Work (for K–8 teachers)
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Teachers, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
Strengthening consultation package
3 1-hour sessions
Grade band:K–5 / 6–8
Grade level:K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite:Initial training or program overview
This package consists of three 60-minute sessions that can be delivered on the same day or on different days. Each session will focus on a specific topic that will deepen teachers understanding of Amplify Science. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district’s leadership team in advance on the topic from a menu of options that will best meet teachers’ unique needs.
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience:Teachers, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
For instructional leaders
Strengthening consultation session
60-minute session
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Administrators’ program overview
These 60 minute sessions will focus on a specific topic that will deepen instructional leaders’ understanding in Amplify Science and equip them in driving towards stronger student outcomes. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district’s leadership team in advance on the topic from a menu of options that will best meet instructional leaders’ unique needs.
Topic available for summer 2022: Amplify Science classroom look-fors (for K-8 leaders).
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
Strengthening consultation package
3 1-hour sessions
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Administrators’ program overview
This package consists of three 60-minute sessions that can be delivered on the same day or on different days. Each session will focus on a specific topic that will deepen leaders’ understanding of Amplify Science. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district’s leadership team in advance on the topic from a menu of options that will best meet leaders’ unique needs.
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
Coach
For teachers
Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) services: Teachers
1 day (6 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
Strengthen your implementation of Amplify Science with a coaching onsite visit for your teachers. An Amplify Science Professional Learning Specialist can visit classrooms for observation and debriefs with focused feedback and/or facilitate PLC or grade-level meetings to support teachers with planning decisions. The flexible coaching design allows for a collaborative and personalized approach to support effective program implementation.
Audience: Teachers, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
For instructional leaders
Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC): Administrators
1 day (6 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Administrators’ program overview
In our Coaching sessions, instructional leaders engage in facilitated Professional Learning Walks (PLW)—non-evaluative classroom observations of Amplify Science classrooms that focus on building capacity to identify indicators of strong implementation of the program. Classroom look-fors focus on the use of instructional resources (material access/use and the Classroom Wall), instructional delivery (unpacking the unit phenomena and multimodal instruction), and monitoring of instruction (supporting all learners and use of the Assessment System). Leaders collaboratively analyze collected data in order to identify strengths and areas for growth specific to the implementation of Amplify Science for their teaching teams. Leaders leave with an action plan for supporting their teachers based on the analysis and reflection from the PLW.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite
Pricing
We offer the following pricing for training sessions and packages:
| Session type | Pricing |
|---|---|
| 2 consecutive full day onsite sessions | $4,800 |
| 1-day onsite session | $3,200 |
| 1-day remote session (2 half days) | $1,500 |
| 1-day remote coaching session | $1,200 |
| Half-day onsite session | $2,500 |
| Half-day remote session | $750 |
| 90-minute remote session | $500 |
| 60-minute remote session | $350 |
| 3 1-hour remote sessions | $1,000 |
| Customized Amplify Science onsite or remote packages | Price will vary |
Please note that the prices are general ranges and may be subject to change.
Contact
Amplify welcomes the opportunity to partner with schools and districts to design professional development plans and answer your questions.
If you would like to order any of our professional development services, please contact your local Amplify sales representative or call (800) 823-1969.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at the University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
The Lawrence Hall of Science
The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science is a recognized leader in PreK-12 science education, producing groundbreaking curriculum products for more than 40 years, including the international award-winning Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®. The Hall’s curriculum materials are used in one in four classrooms across the nation.
Amplify
Amplify has been pioneering digital education products for more than 15 years, empowering teachers across the country to offer more personalized instruction and accelerate the potential of their students to become more active, engaged learners. Amplify has supported more than 200,000 educators and three million students in all 50 states.
Elementary school curriculum
Grade K
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Middle school curriculum – Domain Model
Earth and Space Science
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
Life Science
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Physical Science
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Light Waves
Middle school curriculum – Integrated Model
Grade 6
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Thermal Energy
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
Grade 7
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Grade 8
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Standards correlations
Download a full correlation to the Arizona Science Standards.
Spanish-language support
Amplify Science is committed to providing support to meet the needs of all learners, including multiple access points for Spanish-speaking students. Developed in conjunction with Spanish-language experts and classroom teachers, multiple components are available in Spanish across the Amplify Science curriculum.
Spanish-language materials include:
| COMPONENT | TEACHER/STUDENT |
| Student Investigation Notebooks (K–8) | Student |
| Science articles (6–8) | Student |
| Student Books (K–5) | Student |
| Video transcripts (6–8) | Student |
| Digital simulation translation key (6–8) | Student |
| Printed classroom materials (K–8) (Unit and chapter questions, key concepts, vocabulary cards, etc.) | Teacher and student |
| Copymasters (K–8) | Teacher |
| Assessments (K–8) | Teacher |
Contact your Arizona representative directly
Thomas Gearhart
Account Executive, Southwest
Email: tgearhart@amplify.com
Phone: (505) 206-7661
Access curriculum now
To begin your review, click the button to access the online digital curriculum.
Watch the video walkthroughs
Elementary school
Middle school
Welcome, Arizona reviewers!
Inspiring the next generation of Arizona scientists, engineers, and curious citizens. Amplify Science is a brand-new, engaging core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at the University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
The Lawrence Hall of Science
The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science is a recognized leader in PreK-12 science education, producing groundbreaking curriculum products for more than 40 years, including the international award-winning Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®. The Hall’s curriculum materials are used in one in four classrooms across the nation.
Amplify
Amplify has been pioneering digital education products for more than 15 years, empowering teachers across the country to offer more personalized instruction and accelerate the potential of their students to become more active, engaged learners. Amplify has supported more than 200,000 educators and three million students in all 50 states.
Elementary school curriculum
Grade K
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Middle school curriculum – Domain Model
Earth and Space Science
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
Life Science
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Physical Science
- Light Waves
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
Middle school curriculum – Integrated Model
Grade 6
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Thermal Energy
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
Grade 7
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Grade 8
- Evolutionary History
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
Standards correlations
Download a full correlation to the Arizona Science Standards.
Spanish-language support
Amplify Science is committed to providing support to meet the needs of all learners, including multiple access points for Spanish-speaking students. Developed in conjunction with Spanish-language experts and classroom teachers, multiple components are available in Spanish across the Amplify Science curriculum.
Spanish-language materials include:
Program Guide
For more information about the program, see our
Amplify Science Digital Program Guide.
Watch the video walkthroughs
Elementary school
Middle school
Demo access and your Arizona representative
To request demo access, please contact your Account Executive.
Thomas Gearhart
Senior Account Executive
Western, Eastern, and Southern AZ
Email: tgearhart@amplify.com
Phone: (505) 206-7661
Yvonne Rohde
Senior Account Executive
Northern AZ
Email: yrohde@amplify.com
Phone: (480) 673-0019
Laina Armbuster
Account Executive
Accounts 3,500 and below
Email: larmbuster@amplify.com
Phone: (602) 791-4135
S2-05: Moving students forward with project-based learning
In this episode, Eric Cross sits with K–5 educator Janis Lodge to chat about building on her own science curriculum to create meaningful project-based learning experiences. Janis shares her work teaching Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), and how to use those practices to help accelerate the learning of all students. Eric and Janis also talk about making time for science within K–5 classrooms. Explore more from Science Connections by visiting our main page.
Janis Lodge (00:00):
To me, the reward of having those kids feel like they accomplished something and the way that they can take ownership of it and go in so many different directions, I cannot take that away from them. That’s such an opportunity that if I have the means to do it, I have to just take it and run with it.
Eric Cross (00:18):
Welcome to Science Connections. I’m your host, Eric Cross. My guest today is Janis Lodge. Janis is a third-grade teacher in Orange County, California, with a specialization in gifted and talented education. Recently, Janis was awarded the Orange County Council for the Gifted and Talented Education Classroom grant. This grant funds a project that provides an extension to her third-grade science unit about environments and survival. Through this project, students will think like a biomimicry engineer as they design a robot that is inspired by an innovation found in nature. In this episode, we discuss how she uses interdisciplinary teaching practices to make time for science learning; why gifted and talented education strategies can benefit all students; and her process for creating a problem-based lesson that ultimately earned her a grant for her classroom. And now, please enjoy my conversation with Janis Lodge. One, welcome! Thanks for being here.
Janis Lodge (01:14):
Of course, I am happy to do it. I’m excited for the opportunity.
Eric Cross (01:17):
Of course! Yeah. Elementary school teachers in science, I feel like there’s so many things to have conversations about. And some of the things that you’ve really focused on, I think, are, really, really important. But I wanna start off with your journey of you becoming a teacher in the classroom. And so, would you kind of give your background, your origin story? How did you end up as a third-grade teacher?
Janis Lodge (01:37):
Well, my story is definitely not a traditional story. Before I was a teacher, I was actually living in Maui, Hawaii. I moved there right after college. I went to Chico State in Northern California. And I got a degree in graphic design. And after I graduated, well, I should give a little bit of a backstory. My last summer before graduating, I spent the whole summer in Maui and I just fell in love with it. So when I graduated, I decided instead of applying for jobs in Northern California, I’m just gonna put some resumes out in Maui and see if I can get a job. And I did. I ended up getting a job doing graphic design and marketing for a kite surf company out there. And I ended up just staying for seven years on the island. And after about seven years, I kind of got a little bit of island fever and decided I wanted to come back to California. I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, but I just had this calling that I need to do something a little more fulfilling with my life. And I started thinking about different ideas and dreams I had. And I actually started thinking about when I was younger, right? I had this dream. If you were to ask me when I was 10 years old what I wanted to be when I grow up, it would be elementary school teacher.
Eric Cross (02:48):
Really?
Janis Lodge (02:48):
Believe it or not. When I was younger, I transformed my bedroom into a classroom. My stuffed animals were my students. I just thought I’m gonna be the next best teacher ever. And you know, as I went through life and kind of went in different directions, I kind of lost sight of that dream a little bit. But for some reason, when I decided to change careers, I just remembered that. And so I just decided to go get my teaching credential and see if it worked out. And it was probably the best decision I made. I feel like everything just fell perfectly into place. I ended up getting a job at an amazing school, and now, five years later, I’m a third grade teacher.
Eric Cross (03:28):
So one of the questions I have to ask, and talking to elementary school teachers, this comes up a lot: How do you make time for science as an elementary school teacher who’s teaching everything? And let me kind of premise this with, at least for those of us in California, and I’m sure the rest of the states too, but we know this; There’s kind of this pressure with pacing and then even, depending on what school you’re at, math and English tend to get the bulk of things. And maybe there’s this perception also of like, well, I gotta teach math and English, and sometimes science gets put to the back burner for different reasons.
Janis Lodge (03:57):
Well, you’re exactly right. The beginning of the year, we were provided with a pacing from the district. And you know, they try to keep us on track, saying, “You should be starting Unit 2 at this time.” But other than that, there’s really no specific guidelines of how many days we’re supposed to be teaching or for how long. But one kind of secret that I’ve discovered is that I can weave science into the other subjects, specifically with language arts. So quite often what I do is I take a look at the language arts standard, and if it’s identifying the key details and the main idea, well I can do that with the science books used from the curriculum. So I’ll just pull those readers and we’ll do the exact same skill, start with the same standard, but we’ll use the content from science. By doing that, we call that kind of like interdisciplinary study. And the students really enjoy that more, too, because they’re using the same skills but they’re diving deeper into the content.
Eric Cross (04:54):
Right.
Janis Lodge (04:55):
And so also that helps build the background knowledge. So then when it comes to time where, if I want to do a science lab or a science investigation, now they already have that background knowledge ’cause we already dove deep into the reading and they can apply that pretty quickly right away into their lab or whatever activity they’re doing.
Eric Cross (05:12):
Can you give an example maybe of how you might pull out something that might be a skill that you’re trying to develop, maybe in an English content, but you would pull that out in a science lesson, maybe? What would you do?
Janis Lodge (05:25):
We’re actually doing that right now. So we’re in our second unit of science and they’re studying inheritance and traits and they’re looking at different organisms to see how they have adaptations to help them survive in their environment. So coincidentally part of the literacy skills is to look at multiple sources, do research, and summarize and make analysis of what they’re reading. And so we have different varied resources. I have websites; I have books, ebooks, videos, and pictures. And they’re choosing which four sources they want to use. And then, then they’re coming up with a summary at the end and then putting together a Google Slides presentation based on whatever organism that they chose.
Eric Cross (06:05):
Did you have a science background before becoming an elementary school teacher?
Janis Lodge (06:11):
Um, none. Besides what I, you know, took in high school and college.
Eric Cross (06:16):
Did you find it easy to kind of lean into the science, or was it something you just kind of jumped into and said, “All right, I’m gonna get after it”?
Janis Lodge (06:23):
What’s interesting is if, you know, throughout my education, my favorite subjects were English and reading and writing and art. And quite honestly, science wasn’t my favorite subject. But I think because of that, that inspires me to come up with creative ways of presenting the information to them and making it exciting and engaging for them, because I don’t want them to feel that way. I want them to be excited about all subjects. And I think that’s the beauty of combining the different subjects like I mentioned before. Like I say, you know, “What would a scholar do? Think like a wildlife biologist. And like with my project, think like a biomimicry engineer.” And so it kind of shifts their thinking. Like, it’s not just, “Oh, we have to study science.” It’s like, “No, you are the scientist; you are a meteorologist; or you are an author. How would an author write about this? How would an illustrator capture this in a photo or a comic strip?” And so, when you really combine those disciplines, you can take it to another level. So even if science isn’t their favorite subject, like maybe it wasn’t for me growing up, they can still take something they’re passionate about and apply the science content to it and they really resonate with them.
Eric Cross (07:37):
You leaned into your strengths. Which are more like, coming into it, you had all these kind of creative strengths. You have that background as a graphics designer. You were into the arts. But then with those strengths, did that kinda give you more confidence to dive into the science work, because you approached it from your assets that you were already coming to the table with?
Janis Lodge (07:55):
Yeah.You said it perfectly. If you look at it from a different lens, there’s all these different ways you can approach science.
Eric Cross (07:59):
I find it in my own science class, too. We’re all teaching the same standards. But how I approach it is through Eric Cross’s kind of personality and understanding and my angle, and another teacher might do it a different way. But we’re all leading to the same destination.
Janis Lodge (08:14):
Exactly.
Eric Cross (08:15):
That kind of leads me to my next question, and this is having to do with the project that you just alluded to. The biomimicry project. So you did a biomimicry project. Would you consider that like a project based-learning assignment?
Janis Lodge (08:26):
Well, this will be the third year that I’ve taught this unit. And when I wrapped it up last year, it’s through the Amplify Science program, and they do a wonderful job of having a lot of investigations and really thinking like a biomimicry engineer. But the final part of the unit was to design a robot inspired by a giraffe, to eliminate invasive plants in a particular environment. And the project part of it at the end was to create a model using Popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners. And then the other part of it was a digital simulation where they would put in different shape structures of teeth, and kind of reconfigure the shape of the mouth. And then they’d put in what they think is effective, and then the computer would say, oh, you’re 98% successful or 70% successful. And I remember at the end of it the students were like, “OK, well when do we make the robots?” And I thought, “Well, we’re just doing the simulation, or we’re just doing this model out of Popsicle sticks; we’re not actually gonna make a robot.” And they just seemed so disappointed. And that’s kind of how the wheels started turning my head like, “Well, what if they actually could make a robot? The only thing stopping me is I don’t have the materials to do it.” So, shortly after that unit wrapped up, coincidentally I saw the email about this grant opportunity that was being offered through the Orange County Council for Gifted Education. And they said, If you have a project that you wanna get funded that would promote GATE strategies within the classroom, then you can submit this proposal. So that’s how the ball got rolling for that proposal. And I researched different robotics kits and different companies and I found one that was really user-friendly for third graders, and not so difficult for me to learn as well.
Eric Cross (10:10):
You’re a risk taker. Like, I’m already seeing this as I’m talking to you. Is that just who you are or do you have a network? Like what keeps you taking these risks?
Janis Lodge (10:18):
I don’t really consider it a risk, because it’s exciting for me. Like I said, I don’t know that much about robotics, but the idea of learning more and then teaching that to my students is exciting. And you know, there was a little bit of risk ’cause I’m deviating a little bit from the curriculum, from the standard lesson, but to me, the reward of having those kids feel like they accomplished something, and the way that they can take ownership of it and go in so many different directions, and on top of that, develop coding skills and computer science skills and robotic skills, to me it was just like I cannot take that away from them. That’s such an opportunity that if I have the means to do it, I have to just take it and run with it. So I think just being inspired by the potential outcomes of what could happen is what made me take that risk.
Eric Cross (11:05):
Did you just kind of create this from scratch? Did you work with a team of people? How did you come to the point where you were ready to present this for the grant?
Janis Lodge (11:12):
Pretty much from scratch. Like I said, the Amplify unit, it does teach them about robotics that were inspired by nature. So some of the materials that they read, and there’s some videos that show really great examples. There’s like a robotic arm that was inspired by an elephant trunk. There’s a book that shows what this field is, biomimicry engineer, they actually show like what they do in that field. And I thought this is a perfect way to apply it because the curriculum’s already pretty much set it up for me; now I just have to add this one final component to it. And essentially it becomes project-based learning at that point, because they’re taking their knowledge and their skills that they’ve learned up to that point. Even the unit that we’re doing doing right now is building up to it. So it’s kind of that final—instead of giving them a test at the end and saying, “OK, tell me what you learned about inheritance and traits and environments,” they can actually take that knowledge and apply it to an innovation or creation that comes out of their own mind, which is so much more powerful.
Eric Cross (12:11):
Do they connect to any other learning goals as they’re doing these projects?
Janis Lodge (12:15):
Well, I think first and foremost, the 21st century skills that from day one I tell them, the four Cs: collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking. All of those are woven in through this lesson. From the beginning, we talked about the whole engineering design process. So from the beginning, they start with a question and oftentimes that actually can be the hardest for them to think about, “What’s a scientific question or a problem that I wanna solve?” If they’re passionate about, maybe, a sport or the environment or something within their school, I go, “There it is. OK, that’s the problem. How can you design something inspired by nature to solve that problem?” And then, from there they go into the planning and the designing and the testing and then the improving. So going through that engineering design process, I think, is what really makes them feel like they are the engineer going through this. And they can make mistakes. They can take risks. A lot of my students I’ve found are afraid to take risks. They wanna make sure they succeed. And they need that challenge to know that if they do fail, that’s OK. We can just revisit this. We can test it. We can look at it in a different way.
Eric Cross (13:27):
You maybe wonder about, how do you assess something like this?
Janis Lodge (13:30):
I think that’s where all those stages along the way are important. Because I wanna make sure that they have a plan and that it’s based on the knowledge that they’ve gained in the unit. I think one of the other things about project-based learning is the final product of how they demonstrate their mastery. And in my classroom I oftentimes give them a choice of how they’re gonna present that to me. So maybe they’re going to write it out like an essay. Maybe they’re gonna create a Google slide. Maybe they’re gonna make a video. Maybe they’re going to—obviously in this part they will have the model, but they’ll have to have some way to explain it to me. And I think giving them that choice gives them the opportunity to show it in the way that’s meaningful to them.
Eric Cross (14:14):
And are you using like a rubric when you’re grading these assignments? Or, how do you actually grade it?
Janis Lodge (14:20):
Yes. So we have a rubric that’s provided to us for the written component that all the students will do at the end. But I can take that same rubric and see if they’ve applied that to the project. So even the verbiage wouldn’t really need to change. I think it’s still important that the students are able to demonstrate this in written form and so all of them will still complete that written component, but to also give them the opportunity to show that in the modality of their choice. I think is really important too.
Eric Cross (14:48):
Right. And you have some students that feel much more comfortable being able to present orally versus—
Janis Lodge (14:53):
Exactly.
Eric Cross (14:53):
—versus writing versus maybe doing a video. I mean, we see that in middle school and in high school too. Students show their knowledge or their understanding of a topic depending on the medium in different ways, and some better than others. Some may find that they can communicate it a lot better orally, but when pen goes to paper or fingers go to keyboard, you might grade it completely different, ’cause they’re not able to transfer what’s in their mind into writing. And the way you’re doing it, and giving that student choice, they probably have so much more buy-in, I’d imagine, because they get to pick what they get to do.
Janis Lodge (15:21):
Right.
Eric Cross (15:22):
You said something earlier and I wanna come back to it. So you mentioned GATE, and GATE is not something that I hear a lot in my world, but it was something I heard a lot when I was in school. There were kind of all of these perceptions and ideas about GATE. You’re a GATE teacher, correct?
Janis Lodge (15:38):
Right.
Eric Cross (15:39):
What is GATE, and what is it like being a GATE teacher? What are the misconceptions, if any, that you might have heard or come across?
Janis Lodge (15:46):
Well, so GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Education. And first and foremost, I think a misconception is that we’re just kind of doing whatever we want; we come up with our own lessons and teach a totally different curriculum. Which is definitely a myth. Because we start with the exact same standards as any other third grade class that you’d walk into. That’s definitely where we start. But I think in addition to the standards, we also implement what are called GATE standards: So they’re Depth, Complexity, Acceleration, and Novelty. And there’s a lot of tools that we use in the classroom, different strategies. You’ll see things like the prompts of Depth and Complexity. We’ll use things like “think like a disciplinarian”; I’m doing “think like a biomimicry engineer.” But really, all they are are just thinking tools and strategies to elevate students thinking and kind of go below that surface level of the content to dive deeper. It also provides opportunities for acceleration. So for example, our last science unit, it was on magnetic force, and there was a handful of students that just grasped the concepts right away, and they’re ready for something else. They’re ready for more rigor. They need some challenge. And so at that point I can kind of pull that group aside and provide some differentiation for them. And I said, “OK, well, you understand the concept of magnetic force, balanced forces. So now what I want you to do is think about something that you’re really passionate about, and how could you use magnetic force somewhere in that field—again to solve a problem, problem-based learning—and present it to me?” So they create this form, it’s like a “think like a disciplinarian” frame, and one of them was “think like a hockey player.” And he’s trying to think of a way that he can incorporate magnetic force. Anyway, I could go on and on. But basically it’s finding what these students’ passions are. And I do that with all my students. And I should probably preface this by saying that even though these are standards that I implement in my classroom because it’s a GATE classroom, these are practices and tools that can be applied to any learner, at any age. And they really just enrich the education for all students.
Eric Cross (18:02):
So your classroom is, is a mixed classroom. There’s GATE students and then general—
Janis Lodge (18:05):
Right.
Eric Cross (18:07):
—students, non-GATE students, in the same class. It’s interesting because I imagine GATE is kind of scaffolding up to a higher level, but then, you also said something that I’ve noticed when I’m creating scaffolds for my students to support them, who may not be at a grade level, maybe in reading or literacy or math, those same scaffolds can help all students.
Janis Lodge (18:27):
So yeah, I don’t just go, “OK, you’re my GATE students; I’m gonna use these practices on you.” I use it for the whole class. But I’m also surprised by having that mix of these different learning styles. A lot of times students are inspired by other students, or, you know, we have this big thing about one of the prompts is Multiple Perspectives. I try to do that as much as I can, because students are inspired by the ideas of their peers. And quite often, if they hear it from a peer, it could be exactly what I just said, but they heard their student say it in a different way and it just clicks and they’re like, “Wow, I get that.”
Eric Cross (19:00):
I think a lot of teachers struggle or, or maybe feel ill-equipped, to support higher-level students. Did you get trained to be a GATE teacher? First lemme ask that question: Did you get special training for this?
Janis Lodge (19:13):
Yes. I went through a course, I think it was like a six-week certification course, through my district.
Eric Cross (19:19):
OK, so you got a special training, which—I’ve been in the classroom for nine years; I teach at a university as an adjunct professor; but I’ve never been trained on teaching gifted or accelerated students. And I’m kind of wondering now, like, do you feel like it made you a better teacher?
Janis Lodge (19:33):
Absolutely.
Eric Cross (19:34):
And if so, how do I get to do this?
Janis Lodge (19:36):
Well, it’s through the county. I mean, anybody can get trained and certified how to teach this way. But, just like you said, I think coming out of that, my eyes were just open, and my biggest takeaway is that these practices, even though they are designed for gifted and talented, it really kind of reshaped my thinking about how I, number one, present material to the students, that I’m doing it in an engaging way, and I’m not just lecturing at them; there’s opportunities for them to collaborate and communicate and use multiple resources. So, you know, how I’m teaching has changed. And then also, how I’m providing opportunities for them to demonstrate their learning. And a lot of that is project-based learning, because once they have the knowledge and skills they need to do something with it. I mean, that’s really the true definition of innovation, is taking the skills or taking something that you’ve learned, and now go with it. Run with it.
Eric Cross (20:32):
How can we take what you’ve learned and then kind of spread it, so teachers have this in their toolkit, too? Like for me, I have multiple ways to be able to support reading and literacy and math and tools and sentence frames. And my students who have special learning plans, I have a have a lot of tool sets for that. I wanna build my tool sets for this other area for my students who want to continue, who wanna run, or go beyond, or even stretch themselves. I think we need to take some of the things that you’re doing and not make them kind of like this exclusive group, but also let’s share it with everyone, ’cause if everybody can access it—
Janis Lodge (21:03):
I agree.
Eric Cross (21:03):
—we might see a lot more potential or a lot more opportunities for students who might not otherwise have them.
Janis Lodge (21:08):
And one thing: My school, I’m really proud to say that my principal has seen that. You know, he’s like, “Well why are we just keeping this in the GATE classroom?” So he’s working on getting all of our teachers certified.
Eric Cross (21:19):
No, I love what you’re doing and your principal sounds, sounds awesome for doing that and recognizing that this can benefit more students than just the ones who, you know, pass the Raisin Test, I think it’s what it was called when I was taking it, or whatever it is back then.
Janis Lodge (21:31):
Exactly.
Eric Cross (21:32):
We’ve talked about project-based learning, the GATE classroom…I kind of wanna come back to you as we wrap up. Thinking about, like, the jobs that you and I do, and the people that listen to this podcast, we have one of the few jobs that people remember us for a lifetime. And I wanna ask you, who was someone that was maybe inspirational in your educational career, that inspired you, or is maybe one of the most memorable? You might have several…but who is someone that was memorable to you in your career, and why? Why were they memorable to you?
Janis Lodge (22:02):
Yeah. Well, obviously, when I was younger, I was definitely inspired by all my teachers. The fact that I turned my bedroom into a classroom…I just was just in awe of this profession. But I think one that really resonated with me was my junior year in high school. I was taking a newspaper class and the teacher was Mrs. Kavanaugh, and she really taught us everything from writing the articles to the editing, to putting the pages together. And I remember in that class I was working on this program called QuarkXPress. I don’t even know if it exists anymore. But I was just fascinated with putting all these pieces together that we’d worked on for so long and getting the articles, picking the pictures, the illustrations and the titles. And I remember her looking at me saying, “You really enjoy this, don’t you?” And I said, “Yeah.” And she said, “Well, I have a computer graphics elective class that you should take next year.” And I thought, “OK, I’d love to do this, this opportunity to expand my knowledge and my skills.” So because of that, I took the computer graphics class the next year and I just remember throughout the whole time, she was just constantly encouraging me and acknowledging my skills. And I find myself doing that as a teacher as well. ‘Cause that really resonated with me. And it’s funny, this summer I was going through some boxes of some old stuff from high school, and I found this handout that I had made, because I remember my senior year of high school, she said, “Janis, you know what? You’re doing such a great job; we have these new, incoming students coming into the newspaper class, and I’d love for you to actually teach them how to do this pagination on this QuarkXPress program. I want you to put something together and actually teach it to them.” I thought, “Wow, she believes in me that much that she’s gonna let me teach this to the incoming students.” But I think my takeaway from that was that she gave me the opportunity to take those skills and actually do something with them, to apply them right away.
Eric Cross (23:53):
Mrs. Kavanaugh. Miss Kavanaugh. Shout-out to Miss Kavanaugh. As you told that story, I heard you as a teacher because I’m hearing she’s applying these GATE strategies in that situation. That’s what that’s what I heard.
Janis Lodge (24:08):
Yeah, absolutely.
Eric Cross (24:09):
She personalized this learning. She created a specialized opportunity. You presented to a real audience that was authentic. It had this personalization in it and this rigor and this challenge and it made a huge impact. And it’s just amazing to listen to you and hear this come full-circle, and now you’re doing this with little ones. And I just wanna thank you for your time in doing the interview, sharing your story with how you became a teacher, your students, the projects that you do. And just like so many teachers, going the extra mile for your kids and bringing in these really important 21st century skills; they’re gonna be so much better off for it. And I know it makes my job easier when I get them in the classroom, so thank you.
Janis Lodge (24:49):
Yeah. Well, thank you for the opportunity.
Eric Cross (24:51):
My pleasure. Thanks so much for listening and we wanna hear more about you and the educators who inspire you. You can nominate them as a future guest on Science Connections by emailing STEM@amplify.com. That’s S -T-E-M at amplify dot com. And be sure to click subscribe, wherever you listen to podcasts, and join our Facebook group, Science Connections: The Community. Until next time.
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Meet the guest
Janis Lodge is a third grade teacher in Orange County, California. Her career in education started six years ago when she decided to follow her passion of making a positive difference in the lives of young scholars. Prior to teaching, Janis lived in Maui, Hawaii for seven years, working in the field of graphic design, marketing, and hospitality. She has found that her interest in innovation, project-based learning, and inquiry-driven exploration has helped shape her into the educator she is today. STEAM is integrated regularly into her classroom, and her students continually develop 21st century skills through a variety of unique projects. Janis is also a PAL (Peer Assistance Leadership) Advisor for her school, where she helps young leaders (4th-6th graders) cultivate their leadership skills and empowers them to make a positive difference in their school and community. Janis was recently awarded the Orange County Council for the Gifted & Talented Education Classroom Grant, which will provide an extension to the third grade Amplify Science Unit: Environments and Survival.
About Science Connections
Welcome to Science Connections! Science is changing before our eyes, now more than ever. So…how do we help kids figure that out? We will bring on educators, scientists, and more to discuss the importance of high-quality science instruction. In this episode, hear from our host Eric Cross about his work engaging students as a K-8 science teacher. Listen here!
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Welcome to Physical Science
Amplify Science California is so effective you can cover 100% of the NGSS in fewer lessons than other programs.
Plus, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing we give you enough materials to support 200 students. In fact, our material kits:
- Support small groups of 4-5 students.
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What students learn
Lauren Learner loves science. Watch this video to find out what she learns in second grade. >
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Click on the orange “See how the unit works” link to download a helpful Unit Guide. These guides make great companions to busy reviewers looking for a big-picture understanding of how each unit works.
Unit 1
Harnessing Human Energy
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power electrical devices used during rescue missions.
Unit 2
Force and Motion
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod collided with the docking station and failed to dock as planned.
Unit 3
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can better protect pods and their contents.
Unit 4
Magnetic Fields
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During its third magnetic spacecraft launcher test, a model spacecraft far exceeded its target speed.
Unit 5
Thermal Energy
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: Riverdale School needs a new heating system. Only one of two proposed systems is the best choice.
Unit 6
Phase Change
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart.
Unit 7
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different phase change materials helps keep babies’ temperatures healthy.
Unit 8
Chemical Reactions
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious reddish-brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Unit 9
Light Waves
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer in Australia is higher than other parts of the world despite getting the same or less sunlight.
How teachers teach
Tom Teacher feels confident delivering 3-D instruction with our resources by his side. Watch this video to learn more. >
When you’re ready:
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Classroom Slides
These customizable PowerPoints are available for every lesson of the program and make delivering instruction a snap with visual prompts, colorful activity instructions, investigation set-up videos and animations, and suggested teacher talk in the notes section of each slide.
Teacher’s Reference Guide
Available digitally and in print, our unit-specific reference guides are chock full of helpful resources, including scientific background knowledge, planning information and resources, color-coded 3-D Statements, detailed lesson plans, tips for delivering instruction, and differentiation strategies.
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Materials Kits
Our kits include enough non-consumable materials to support 200 student uses. In other words, you have enough materials to support all five periods and small groups of 4-5 students each. Plus, our unit-specific kits mean you just grab the tub you need and then put it all back with ease.
Simulations and Practice Tools
Our digital Simulations and Practice Tools are powerful resources for exploration, data collection, and student collaboration. They allow students the ability to explore scientific concepts that might otherwise be invisible or impossible to see with the naked eye.
Consumable Notebooks
Available for every unit, our Student Investigation Notebooks contain instructions for activities and space for students to record data and observations, reflect on ideas from texts and investigations, and construct explanations and arguments.
Student Edition Hardcover
This durable Student Edition is grade-level specific and contains all of the articles that students refer to throughout the year. Districts may choose to pair these traditional student texts with our digital student experience or new 2-volume consumable notebook set.
Coming Soon
Unlike other publishers, we don’t make you wait until your next adoption to get the latest and greatest from Amplify. We’re always launching new and exciting features. What’s more, we’ll push them out to you even after you adopt us!
Navigating the program
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Navigating a Launch Unit
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of the program. The goal of a Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year.
Navigating an Engineering Internship
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Navigating a Core Unit
Core units introduce a real-world problem and support students as they figure out the anchoring phenomenon and gain an understanding of the unit’s DCIs, SEPs, and CCCs.
Navigating Classwork and Reporting
Classwork is our new online grading tool that gives you quick and easy access to unreviewed work, student portfolios of work, and automatically generated differentiation groups.
Puyallup 6–8 Science Review | Amplify
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Archived Professional Learning Resources for NYC (K-8)
Welcome! This page contains archived professional learning resources designed for the New York City Department of Education Amplify Science adoption for grades K–8.
2023-24 Sessions
- Grade K: Three-Dimensional Learning in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum (2022)
- Grade 1: Three-Dimensional Learning in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade 2: Three-Dimensional Learning in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum (2022)
- Grade 3: Three-Dimensional Learning in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade 4: Three-Dimensional Learning in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade 5: Three-Dimensional Learning in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade K: Exploring Literacy Connections in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum (2022)
- Grade 1: Exploring Literacy Connections in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade 2: Exploring Literacy Connections in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum (2022)
- Grade 3: Exploring Literacy Connections in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade 4: Exploring Literacy Connections in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade 5: Exploring Literacy Connections in the Amplify Science K-5 Curriculum 11/07/2023
- Grade 6: Guided Planning for Teachers new to Amplify Science 11/07/2023
- Grade 7: Guided Planning for Teachers new to Amplify Science 11/07/2023
- Grade 8: Guided Planning for Teachers new to Amplify Science 11/07/2023
- Amplify: Writing in Science 2/20/2024
- Amplify: Supporting all learners with complex texts 2/21/2024
- Amplify: Engaging English Learners in 3-D Learning 2/22/2024
Previous Years
Winter 2021 materials:
- K-2 Introduction to Amplify Science Webinar, Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, K Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and K Presentation
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and K Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Webinar, Agenda, K Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Webinar, Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Webinar with Agenda and K Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Webinar with Agenda and Grade K Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Grade K Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda with K Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grades K-1 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades K-1 Webinar
- Kindergarten New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Kindergarten Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Fall 2019 materials:
- Pushes and Pulls Presentation (Year 1 schools) Participant Notebook
- Pushes and Pulls Presentation (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Needs of Plants and Animals Presentation (Year 1 schools)
- Needs of Plants and Animals Presentation (Year 2 schools)
Winter 2021 materials:
- K-2 Introduction to Amplify Science Webinar, Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 1st Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 1st Grade Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 1st Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Webinar, Agenda, 1st Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Webinar with Agenda and Grade 1 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Agenda and Grade 1 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science Classroom Webinar, Agenda and Grade 1 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda with Grade 1 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grades K-1 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades K-1 recorded webinar
- Grade 1 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grade 1 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Fall 2019 materials:
- Light and Sound Presentation (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Light and Sound Presentation (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Animal and Plant Defenses Presentation (Year 1 schools)
- Animal and Plant Defenses Presentation (Year 2 schools)
Winter 2021 materials:
- K-2 Introduction to Amplify Science Webinar, Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 2nd Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 2nd Grade Presentation
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 2nd Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Agenda, 2nd Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Webinar with Agenda and Grade 2 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Webinar with Agenda and Grade 2 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science Classroom Webinar with Agenda and Grade 2 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda with Grade 2 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- K-5 New Teacher Orientation with Participant Notebook
- Grades 2-3 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 2-3 Webinar
- Grade 2 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Fall 2019 materials:
- Properties of Materials Presentation (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Properties of Materials Presentation (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Plant and Animal Relationships Presentation (Year 1 schools)
- Plant and Animal Relationships Presentation (Year 2 schools)
Spring 2021 materials:
- Unit 4: Focusing on Evidence of Learning for New Teachers Webinar
Winter 2021 materials:
- Grades 3-5 Introduction to Amplify Science Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 3rd Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 3rd Grade Presentation
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 3rd Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Progress Builds and Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts Agenda, 3rd Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Webinar with Agenda and Grade 3 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Agenda and Grade 3 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science Classroom Webinar, Agenda and Grade 3 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda with Grade 3 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grade 3 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grades 2-3 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 2-3 Webinar
- Grade 3 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Fall 2019 materials:
- Inheritance and Traits Presentation (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Inheritance and Traits Presentation (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Balancing Forces Presentation (Year 1 schools)
- Balancing Forces Presentation (Year 2 schools)
Winter 2021 materials:
- Grades 3-5 Introduction to Amplify Science Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Agenda, 4th Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 4th Grade Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Agenda and 4th Grade Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Accessing Complex Texts Webinar, Agenda, 4th Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Webinar, Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Webinar, Agenda and Grade 4 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Webinar with Agenda and Grade 4 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Grade 4 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda with Grade 4 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grade 4 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grades 4-5 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 4-5 Webinar
- Grade 4 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Fall 2019 materials:
- Vision and Light Presentation (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Vision and Light Presentation (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Energy Conversions P(Year 1 schools)
- Energy Conversions Energy Conversions (Year 2 schools)
Winter 2021 materials:
- Grades 3-5 Introduction to Amplify Science Agenda and Presentation
- Unit 3: Supporting Diverse Learner Needs Webinar, Agenda, 5th Grade Presentation, and Participant workspace
- Unit 3: Focusing on the Assessment System Webinar, Agenda and 5th Grade Presentation
- Analyzing Student Assessment Data Webinar, Agenda, 5th Grade Presentation, and Webinar
- Supporting ELLs in the Amplify Science Classroom Agenda and Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Progress Builds and Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts Agenda, 5th Grade Presentation, and Participant Notebook
- Unit 2: Understanding the Storyline & Coherence Agenda, Presentation, Planning Doc, and Note catcher (Election Day PL)
- Unit 2: Guided Unit Internalization with @Home Resources Webinar, Presentation and Planning Doc (Election Day PL)
- Teaching with Technology Agenda and Grade 5 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool – Teaching with Technology
- The Amplify Science Approach: Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Webinar with Agenda and Grade 5 Presentation
- Practicing Multiple-Modalities & 3-Dimensional Learning Participant Notebook
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies in the Amplify Science Classroom Webinar, Agenda and Grade 5 Presentation
- Academic Discourse & Questioning Strategies Participant Materials
Summer 2020 materials:
- Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda with Grade 5 Presentation
- Amplify@Home Planning Tool and Amplify@Home Note Catcher
- Grade 5 New Teacher Orientation Webinar with Participant Notebook
- Grades 4-5 Utilizing Program Assessments Effectively Webinar
- Reaching All Learners for Grades 4-5 Webinar
- Grade 5 Returning Teacher Remote Learning: Guided Planning Workshop Webinar
Fall 2019 materials;
- Modeling Matter Presentation (Year 1 schools) with Participant Notebook
- Modeling Matter Presentation (Year 2 schools) with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Patterns of Earth and Sky Presentation (Year 1 schools)
- Patterns of Earth and Sky Presentation (Year 2 schools)
Winter 2022 materials:
- Guided Planning: Unit Internalization Agenda, Participant notebook, and Presentation
Spring 2021materials:
- Planning For Next Year Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
Winter 2021materials:
- Guided Planning: Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
- Engaging English Learners in 3-D Learning Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
- Accessing Complex Text in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
- Applying Reading and Writing Strategies in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 6 Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Grade 6: Academic Discourse and Questioning Strategies Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts: Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Webinar
- Grade 6: Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Planning document
- Grades 6-8: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning Presentation with Participant Notebook
- Grade 6: Supporting Multilingual Learners Webinar
- Grade 6: Thermal Energy Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Participant Notebook with @Home Resources (Election Day PL)
- Grades 6-8 Navigating Program Essentials: Agenda, Presentation, Participant Notebook
- Grade 6: Progress Builds & Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Grade 6: Amplify Science Remote & Hybrid Resources Webinar
Summer 2020 materials:
- Returning Teachers: Guided Planning Workshop Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda,Presentation, and Webinar
- 6-8 New Teacher Institute Agenda: Day One and Day Two with Participant Notebook
Fall 2019 materials:
- Population and Resources Presentation with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Harnessing Human Energy and Thermal Energy Presentation
Winter 2022 materials:
- Guided Planning: Unit Internalization Agenda, Participant notebook, and Presentation
Spring 2021 materials:
- Planning For Next Year Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
Winter 2021 materials:
- Engaging English Learners in 3-D Learning Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
- Accessing Complex Text in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
- Applying Reading and Writing Strategies in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 7 Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Grade 7: Academic Discourse and Questioning Strategies Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts: Phase Change Webinar
- Grade 7: Phase Change Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Planning document
- Grades 6-8: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning Presentation with Participant Notebook
- Grade 7: Supporting Multilingual Learners Webinar
- Grade 7: Metabolism Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Participant Notebook with @Home Resources (Election Day PL)
- Grades 6-8 Navigating Program Essentials Agenda, Presentation, Participant Notebook
- Grade 7: Progress Builds & Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Grade 7: Amplify Science Remote & Hybrid Resources Webinar
Summer 2020 materials:
- Returning Teachers: Guided Planning Workshop Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda,Presentation, and Webinar
- 6-8 New Teacher Institute Agenda, Day One and Day Two with Participant Notebook
Fall 2019 materials:
- Phase Change Presentation with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Microbiome and Metabolism Presentation
Winter 2022 materials:
- Guided Planning: Unit Internalization Agenda, Participant notebook, and Presentation
Spring 2021 materials:
- Planning For Next Year Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
Winter 2021 materials:
- Guided Planning: Traits and Reproduction Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
- Engaging English Learners in 3-D Learning Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
- Accessing Complex Text in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
- Applying Reading and Writing Strategies in Amplify Science Agenda, Participant notebook, and Grade 8 Presentation
Fall 2020 materials:
- Grade 8: Academic Discourse and Questioning Strategies Webinar
- Accessing Complex Texts: Earth, Moon, and Sun Webinar
- Grades 6-8: Unpacking the Engineering Internship Presentation and Participant Notebook
- Grades 6-8: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning Presentation with Participant Notebook
- Grade 8: Supporting Multilingual Learners Webinar
- Grade 8: Force and Motion Guided Unit Internalization Presentation and Participant Notebook with @Home Resources (Election Day PL)
- Grades 6-8 Navigating Program Essentials Agenda, Presentation, Participant Notebook
- Grade 8: Progress Builds & Embedded Assessments Webinar
- Grade 8: Amplify Science Remote & Hybrid Resources Webinar
Summer 2020 materials:
- Returning Teachers: Guided Planning Workshop Remote and Hybrid Learning Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
- 6-8 New Teacher Institute Agenda: Day One and Day Two with Participant Notebook
Fall 2019 materials:
- Force and Motion Presentation with Participant Notebook
Summer 2019 materials:
- Geology on Mars and Earth, Moon, and Sun Presentation
- Introduction to Amplify Science for Administrators K-5 Webinar
- 2021 Fall Administrators’ Orientation: Introduction to K-5 Amplify Science Participant notebook and presentation
- 2021 Spring Utilizing the Amplify Science Assessment System Webinar
- 2020 Summer New Administrator Orientation Agenda, Presentation, Webinar, and Participant Notebook
- 2020 Summer Returning Administrator Orientation Agenda, Presentation, and Webinar
Amplify Science resources for Richmond Public Schools
Welcome! This site contains supporting resources designed for the Richmond Public Schools adoption of Amplify Science.
Authored by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, Amplify Science is a comprehensive program that blends literacy-rich activities, hands-on investigations, and engaging digital experiences to empower Richmond students to think, read, write, and argue like 21st-century scientists and engineers.
Click here to visit Richmond Public Schools’ Science Department page.
Welcome!
This site contains supporting resources designed for the Richmond Public Schools adoption of Amplify Science for grades 3–8. Here are some resources to get you started, but make sure to check back for exciting updates!
Program-wide resources
Click the button below to explore the Amplify Science Program Guide. You can access the full digital Teacher’s Guide from the Program Guide to explore the program.
- The Amplify Science Program Hub
- Menu of Amplify Science video tutorials
- Tech requirements
- The Caregiver Hub (English and Spanish)
Onboarding videos
To start using Amplify Science quickly in your classroom, check out the following onboarding videos. They cover what you need to know to get started fast, from unpacking materials to logging in and navigating the digital Teacher’s Guide.
Getting Started: K-5
This section allows you to become familiar with the program and to guide you through initial preparation for implementing Amplify in your classrooms. here you will find look-for-tools, pacing/planning guides, and editable documents to support unpacking the unit lessons.
Overview
- Amplify Science K-5: Program Overview
- Amplify Science K-5: Teacher’s Guide Navigation
- Recommended Scope and Sequence for Grades 3–5
Supporting literacy development
Planning resources
Planning Guides
- 3rd Grade RPS Curriculum Guide
- 4th Grade RPS Curriculum Guide
- 5th Grade RPS Curriculum Guide
- 3rd Grade Planning Guide*
- 4th Grade Planning Guide*
- 5th Grade Planning Guide*
- *Sequence of units does not match RPS’ scope and sequence.
Look-for-tools
- Establishing Common Expectations for Amplify Science Classrooms (K-5)
- Amplify Science: Getting started look-for-tool (K-8)
Planning support documents
The following materials lists and videos give you a quick look into our Amplify Science classroom kits. For each grade level, we have a video for the first unit in the scope and sequence, and we show you how to unpack the kits for all the units.
NOTE: These materials kits are not specific to the Richmond unit progression. Please reference these Richmond unit progression docs for 3–5 and 6–8 so you’ll know which kits to look for in each grade.
Materials lists
Unpacking videos
Getting Started: 6-8
This section allows you to become familiar with the program and to guide you through initial preparation for implementing Amplify in your classrooms. here you will find look-for-tools, pacing/planning guides, and editable documents to support unpacking the unit lessons.
Overview
- Amplify Science 6-8: Program Overview
- Amplify Science 6-8: Teacher’s Guide Navigation
- Recommended Scope and Sequence for Grades 6–8
Supporting literacy development
Planning resources
Planning/Pacing Guides
- 6th Grade/Integrated Life Science RPS Curriculum Guide
- 7th Grade/Physical Science RPS Curriculum Guide
- 6-8 Pacing Guide
- Grade 6-8 Planning Guide*
- *Sequence of units does not match RPS’ scope and sequence.
Look-for-tools
Planning support documents
The following materials lists and videos give you a quick look into our Amplify Science classroom kits. For each grade level, we have a video for the first unit in the scope and sequence, and we show you how to unpack the kits for all the units.
NOTE: These materials kits are not specific to the Richmond unit progression. Please reference these Richmond unit progression docs for 3–5 and 6–8 so you’ll know which kits to look for in each grade.
Materials lists
Unpacking videos
6th grade Integrated
- Metabolism: Reading “How You Are Like a Sneezing Iguana” (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Metabolism: Plant Growth Investigations (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Metabolism: Reading “How Do Trees Grow So Huge Without Eating?” (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Populations and Resources: Reading “The Amazing Variety of Life in a Coral Reef” (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Weather Patterns: Reading “What Makes Water Move?” (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
7th grade Integrated/Physical science
- Harnessing Human Energy: Investigating Electrical Devices (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Harnessing Human Energy: Investigating Non-Touching Forces (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Harnessing Human Energy: Reading About Non-Touching Forces (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Thermal Energy: Designing Hot and Cold Packs (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Phase Change: Reading “Icy Heat” (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Chemical Reactions: Identifying Substances (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Chemical Reactions: Mixtures, Properties, and Separation (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
- Magnetic Fields, Water Wheel Design (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
Additional units
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate: Investigating Deep Ocean Currents (Lesson Guide and Copymaster)
Getting Started: Admin
Admin resources
K-5 Frequently-Asked Questions
6-8 Frequently-Asked Questions
Professional learning opportunities
Check back for a list of upcoming sessions!
Frequently asked questions
We get it…pacing your instruction, especially with a new program, can be really challenging. In Amplify Science, students internalize concepts through repeated exposures over multiple days with different modalities. We say students get multiple “at-bats” with each concept. As you move through the lessons, avoid looking for concept mastery each day. Instead, try to move through the lesson according to the timing guidelines, maintaining a quick pace.
In classroom discussion activities in particular, you may be tempted to keep the conversation going to ensure that your students fully master the content in that class period. We recommend, though, if the lesson overview says discuss for 10 minutes, cut it off at 10 minutes.
Every Amplify Science unit includes hands-on investigations. But, just as scientists gather evidence from many types of sources, so do students in Amplify Science. Like scientists, students using Amplify Science also gather evidence from physical models, digital models, texts, videos, photographs, maps, and data sets. Doing so requires using the full range of the practices in multi-dimensional learning. It also offers students different ways of acquiring knowledge and experience, multiple means of expressing their understanding, and a variety of resources through which to engage with the content.
Often, students enjoy hands-on investigations, but don’t sufficiently learn key concepts from those experiences. The Amplify Science investigations are designed for efficiency and effectiveness. For teachers who wish to supplement the lessons with more hands-on activities, optional hands-on “flextension” activities are included in many units. Instructional guidance, student sheets, and other supporting resources for them are included as downloadable PDF files and materials needed are either included in the unit kit or easily sourced.
First, take a breath, and know that you will gradually internalize the program routines and overall flow. Also, remember that your students are experiencing the program for the first time with you. Together, you’ll be peeling the onion one layer at a time.
It can be intimidating to begin the school year with a brand-new curriculum: where do you start? The Richmond Resources Site will help you navigate the different supports and resources we have for new Amplify Science teachers.
The Program Hub is also a great place to direct your own, independent learning about Amplify Science instruction. Once you log into the platform, click on the directory on the top left side. Click into the Program Hub, then Professional Learning, and Getting Started. This will give you access to prioritized resources that will help you plan for your Amplify Science instruction. Additionally, the Amplify Science Help center (also accessible from the Global Navigation menu) is great for short videos about specific topics like supporting EL students, using Classwork, etc.
The variety of multimodal activities that are included in Amplify Science provides students with the opportunity to dive deeply into understanding science ideas, make science exciting to students, and allow for all students to have the benefit of multiple opportunities to access rich science content. Think about how many times you’ve taught a concept and then discovered your students had minimal recall at the end of the week. The truth is, students need multiple, varied exposures to key concepts.
In the program, we make sure that students have the opportunity to DO, TALK, READ, WRITE, and VISUALIZE every important idea. We think of this as providing students with multiple at bats— each encounter with the idea provides students with additional evidence, and the opportunity to develop deeper understanding. Students have multiple opportunities to construct their understanding of the same idea.
This multimodality may feel repetitive, but it is purposeful and impactful. Sometimes the repetition is for 1) hitting other Science and Engineering Practices, and/or 2) giving students multiple and varied opportunities to express their understanding. Many students can easily parrot back what they read and one may think they know it — but ask them to draw a model, and one might see that their understanding is only so deep. Ultimately we believe that this approach not only serves a broader range of students but will also result in more retention in the long run.
Looking for help?
Technical or pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of free support you won’t find from other publishers. Technical and pedagogical support teams are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969
For less urgent questions, send us an email!
- Technical support: help@amplify.com
- Pedagogical support: edsupport@amplify.comWhat is pedagogical support? We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more
Order exceptions
If you need to arrange for the return or exchange of items, contact help@amplify.com and be sure to identify yourself as a Richmond Public Schools teacher.
Amplify Science professional development
Amplify Science blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. We’ve created a wide suite of professional development offerings that will help you meet your unique needs this school year. Find out more below!
Amplify CKLA, ELA, and Science professional development has been vetted by Rivet Education’s team through a rigorous three-step process and is listed in the Professional Learning Partner Guide.
Plan your professional development
We’re excited to partner with you on your Amplify journey. Flexible professional development pathways have been designed to meet your needs.
Recommended Professional Development Plan
Our team has curated a recommended professional learning path from initial launch to continuous support. Use the Professional Development Planning Guide below to discuss the plan that best meets your school or district needs with your Account Executive.
Sessions overview
| Audience | Title | Duration | Modality | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||||
| K–5 instructional leaders | Administrators’ program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | 6/2022 |
| Administrators’ program overview for interactive classroom | Half day | Onsite/Remote | 6/2022 | |
| K–5 teachers | Initial training | 1 day onsite or 2 half days remote | Onsite/Remote | Yes* |
| Program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Initial training for Interactive Classroom | 1 day onsite or 2 half days remote | Onsite/Remote | 6/2022 | |
| Program overview for Interactive Classroom | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| 6–8 instructional leaders | Administrators’ program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| 6–8 teachers | Initial training | 1 day onsite or 2 half days remote | Onsite/Remote | 6/2022 |
| Program overview | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes | |
| Strengthening | ||||
| K–5 instructional leaders | Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| K–5 teachers | Guided unit internalization | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| 6–8 instructional leaders | Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| 6–8 teachers | Guided unit internalization | Half day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| Strengthening consultation session | 60 min. | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| Strengthening consultation package | 3 1-hour sessions | Remote | 6/2022 | |
| Coaching | ||||
| K–5 instructional leaders | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite | Yes |
| K–5 teachers | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
| 6–8 instructional leaders | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite | Yes |
| 6–8 teachers | Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) | 1 day | Onsite/Remote | Yes |
Note for all workshops: Any single three-hour offering can be repeated on the same day with different audiences to make one full-day session.
*When delivered remotely, this full-day initial training session (6 hours) is split into two half-day sessions (3 hours each). Part 1 and Part 2 may be scheduled consecutively on the same day or on different days, ideally within ~2 weeks. The same participants should attend both sessions in order to receive all content. This flexible scheduling opportunity for remote sessions will be available starting 6/2022.
Launch sessions
For teachers
Initial training
1 day onsite (6 hours) or 2 half days remote (6 hours)*
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
In the first half of this session, participants learn the essentials necessary to implement Amplify Science with success. They learn to navigate the digital Amplify Science platform and become familiar with planning resources and strategies. Through a model lesson and guided reflection, participants build an understanding of the instructional approach to teaching and learning. In the second half of this session, participants dig deeper into unit resources to start planning for instruction for their first grade-level unit.
When delivered as a grade band session, Part 1 will feature an exemplar from the following units:
- K–5 workshops feature an exemplar from the grade 4 unit Energy Conversions.
- 6–8 workshops feature an exemplar from the Metabolism Core unit.
When delivered as a grade level session, Part 1 features the following units:
- K: Needs of Plants and Animals
- 1: Animal and Plant Defenses
- 2: Plant and Animal Relationships
- 3: Balancing Forces
- 4: Energy Conversions
- 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
6–8 workshops feature one of the following units:
- Metabolism
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Phase Change
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
*When delivered remotely, this full-day initial training session (6 hours) is split into two half-day sessions (3 hours each). Part 1 and Part 2 may be scheduled consecutively on the same day or on different days, ideally within two weeks. The same participants should attend both sessions in order to receive all content. This flexible scheduling opportunity for remote sessions will be available starting 6/2022.
Initial training for Interactive Classroom
1 day onsite (6 hours) or 2 half days remote (6 hours)*
Grade band: K–5
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
In the first half of this session, participants learn to navigate with Amplify Science Interactive Classroom and prepare to start teaching. The session opens with a model lesson that introduces the functionality of the Interactive Classroom interface and highlights the Amplify Science instructional approach. Next, participants experience a guided navigation walkthrough that prepares them to use the full suite of Interactive Classroom features with their students. The session closes with time to reflect on implementation and a walkthrough of additional resources available to support further professional learning. In the second half of this session, participants dig deeper into unit resources to start planning for instruction for their first grade-level unit.
When delivered as a grade band session, Part 1 will feature an exemplar from the grade 4 unit Energy Conversions.
When delivered as a grade level session, Part 1 features the following units:
- K: Needs of Plants and Animals
- 1: Animal and Plant Defenses
- 2: Plant and Animal Relationships
- 3: Balancing Forces
- 4: Energy Conversions
- 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
*When delivered remotely, this full-day initial training session (6 hours) is split into two half-day sessions (3 hours each). Part 1 and Part 2 may be scheduled consecutively on the same day or on different days, ideally within two weeks. The same participants should attend both sessions in order to receive all content. This flexible scheduling opportunity for remote sessions will be available starting 6/2022.
Program overview
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: 6, 7, 8
In this session, participants learn the essentials necessary to implement Amplify Science with success. They learn to navigate the digital Amplify Science platform and become familiar with planning resources and strategies. Through a model lesson and guided reflection, participants build an understanding of the instructional approach to teaching and learning.
When delivered as a grade band session, an exemplar will be featured from the following units:
- K–5 workshops feature an exemplar from the grade 4 unit Energy Conversions.
- 6–8 workshops feature an exemplar from Metabolism.
When delivered as a grade level session, the following units will be featured:
- K: Needs of Plants and Animals
- 1: Animal and Plant Defenses
- 2: Plant and Animal Relationships
- 3: Balancing Forces
- 4: Energy Conversions
- 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
6–8 workshops feature one of the following units:
- Metabolism
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Phase Change
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Program overview for Interactive Classroom
Half day (3 hours)
Grand band: K–5
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
In this session, participants learn to navigate with Amplify Science Interactive Classroom and prepare to start teaching. The session opens with a model lesson that introduces the functionality of the Interactive Classroom interface and highlights the Amplify Science instructional approach. Next, participants experience a guided navigation walkthrough that prepares them to use the full suite of Interactive Classroom features with their students. The session closes with time to reflect on implementation and a walkthrough of additional resources available to support further professional learning.
When delivered as a grade band session, the workshop features an exemplar from the Grade 4 unit Energy Conversions.
When delivered as a grade level session, the workshop features the following units:
- K: Needs of Plants and Animals
- 1: Animal and Plant Defenses
- 2: Plant and Animal Relationships
- 3: Balancing Forces
- 4: Energy Conversions
- 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
For instructional leaders
Administrators’ program overview
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
In this session, instructional leaders become familiar with the principles of phenomenon-based teaching and learning, and experience the instructional approach of Amplify Science units. Leaders consider their essential role supporting teachers and students with the implementation of a new science curriculum.
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Administrators’ program overview for Interactive Classroom
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K-5
In this session, instructional leaders become familiar with the functionality of Amplify Science with Interactive Classroom and are introduced to the instructional approach of Amplify Science units. Leaders consider their essential role supporting teachers and students with the implementation of a new science curriculum.
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Strengthening sessions
For teachers
Guided unit internalization
Half day (3 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
In this session, participants leverage a planning protocol to internalize an upcoming unit. They apply their understanding of how students engage in three-dimensional learning throughout the unit to plan for the diverse needs of their classrooms and students.
Audience: Teachers (administrators welcome), maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
Strengthening consultation session
60-minute session
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
This 60-minute session focuses on a specific topic that will deepen teachers understanding of Amplify Science. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district leadership team in advance on the topic (chosen from a menu of options) that will best meet teachers unique options.
Topics include supporting diverse learners (for K–8 teachers), Classwork/My Work/Assign/Reporting (for 6–8 teachers), and planning an Amplify Science lesson (for K–8 teachers).
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Teachers, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
Strengthening consultation package
3 1-hour sessions
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
This package consists of three 60-minute sessions that can be delivered on the same day or on different days. Each session will focus on a specific topic that will deepen teachers understanding of Amplify Science. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district’s leadership team in advance on the topic from a menu of options that will best meet teachers unique needs.
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Teachers, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
For instructional leaders
Strengthening consultation session
60-minute session
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Administrators’ program overview
These 60 minute sessions will focus on a specific topic that will deepen instructional leaders’ understanding in Amplify Science and equip them in driving towards stronger student outcomes. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district’s leadership team in advance on the topic from a menu of options that will best meet instructional leaders’ unique needs.
Topics include data analysis with Admin Reports (for 6-8 leaders), and Amplify Science classroom look-fors (for K-8 leaders).
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
Strengthening consultation package
3 1-hour sessions
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Administrators’ program overview
This package consists of three 60-minute sessions that can be delivered on the same day or on different days. Each session will focus on a specific topic that will deepen leaders’ understanding of Amplify Science. An Amplify facilitator will align with the school or district’s leadership team in advance on the topic from a menu of options that will best meet leaders’ unique needs.
Available starting 6/2022.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Remote
Coaching sessions
For teachers
Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC) services: Teachers
1 day (6 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Grade level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Prerequisite: Initial training or program overview
Strengthen your implementation of Amplify Science with a coaching onsite visit for your teachers. An Amplify Science Professional Learning Specialist can visit classrooms for observation and debriefs with focused feedback and/or facilitate PLC or grade-level meetings to support teachers with planning decisions. The flexible coaching design allows for a collaborative and personalized approach to support effective program implementation.
Audience: Teachers, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite/Remote
For instructional leaders
Job-Embedded Coaching (JEC): Administrators
1 day (6 hours)
Grade band: K–5 / 6–8
Prerequisite: Administrators’ program overview
In our Coaching sessions, instructional leaders engage in facilitated Professional Learning Walks (PLW)—non-evaluative classroom observations of Amplify Science classrooms that focus on building capacity to identify indicators of strong implementation of the program. Classroom look-fors focus on the use of instructional resources (material access/use and the Classroom Wall), instructional delivery (unpacking the unit phenomena and multimodal instruction), and monitoring of instruction (supporting all learners and use of the Assessment System). Leaders collaboratively analyze collected data in order to identify strengths and areas for growth specific to the implementation of Amplify Science for their teaching teams. Leaders leave with an action plan for supporting their teachers based on the analysis and reflection from the PLW.
Audience: Administrators, department chairs, coaches, maximum 30 participants
Modality: Onsite
Pricing
We offer the following pricing for training sessions and packages:
| Session type | Pricing |
|---|---|
| 2 consecutive full day onsite sessions | $4,800 |
| 1-day onsite session | $3,200 |
| 1-day remote session (2 half days) | $1,500 |
| 1-day remote coaching session | $1,200 |
| Half-day onsite session | $2,500 |
| Half-day remote session | $750 |
| 60-minute remote session | $350 |
| 3 1-hour remote sessions | $1,000 |
| Customized Amplify Science onsite or remote packages | Price will vary |
Please note that the prices are general ranges and may be subject to change.
Contact
Amplify welcomes the opportunity to partner with schools and districts to design professional development plans and answer your questions.
If you would like to order any of our professional development services, please contact your local Amplify sales representative or call (800) 823-1969.
Inspiring the next generation of Richmond scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is an engaging core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science is a recognized leader in PreK–12 science education, producing groundbreaking curriculum products for more than 40 years, including the international award-winning Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®. The Hall’s curriculum materials are used in one in four classrooms across the nation.
Amplify has been pioneering digital education products for more than 15 years, empowering teachers across the country to offer more personalized instruction and accelerate the potential of their students to become more active, engaged learners. Amplify has supported more than 200,000 educators and three million students in all 50 states.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Elementary school course structure
- Pushes and Pulls
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Sunlight and Water
- Spinning Earth
- Light and Sound
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Properties of Materials
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Weather and Climate
- Balancing Forces
- Environments and Survival
- Inheritance and Traits
- Changing Landforms
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
- Modeling Matter
- Energy Conversions
- Balancing Forces
Middle school course structure
- Microbiome
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Metabolism
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Traits and Reproduction
- Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
- Harnessing Human Energy
- Force and Motion
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
- Light Waves
- Phase Change Engineering Internship
- Chemical Reactions
- Magnetic Fields
Inside an Amplify Science classroom
Resources to support your review
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena? – ebook
- Phenomena in grades K-5
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Virginia Standards Alignment
Ready to learn more?
To begin your review, fill out the form for more information about Amplify Science and to access the online digital curriculum.
Welcome, Ohio educators!
Designed from the ground up to teach students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers, Amplify Science combines literacy-rich activities with hands-on learning and digital tools to engage students in exploring compelling phenomena in every unit.
Overview
Developed by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, our program features:
- A phenomena-based approach where students construct a more complex understanding of each unit’s anchor phenomenon.
- A blend of cohesive storylines, hands-on investigations, rich discussions, literacy-rich activities, and digital tools.
- Newly crafted units, chapters, lessons, and activities designed to deliver true 3-dimensional learning.
- An instructional design that supports all learners in accessing all standards.
Hear what these educators have to say about the program. >
Approach to literacy
[Video] Literacy in action (K–5)
Watch students use scientific text to obtain information and practice reading skills, while using writing prompts to create arguments using evidence.
[Video] Literacy in action (6–8)
Watch students use scientific text to obtain information and practice reading skills, while using writing prompts to create arguments using evidence.
Literacy-rich science instruction (K–5)
Immersing young students in reading, writing, and arguing like real scientists and engineers.
Elementary school
Get started by watching this class share what they’re figuring out with Amplify Science. >
In Grades K–3 we recommend the national grade level units of Amplify Science to provide students with the appropriate grade level literacy and background knowledge. Individual units are available to purchase.
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Download some helpful resources to support your review.
- Explore the digital Teacher’s Guide by clicking the orange “Review now” button.
Unit 1
Needs of Plants and Animals
Student role: Scientists
Phenomenon: There are no monarch caterpillars in the Mariposa Grove community garden ever since vegetables were planted.
Unit 2
Pushes and Pulls
Student role: Pinball engineers
Phenomenon: Pinball machines allow people to control the direction and strength of forces on a ball.
Unit 3
Sunlight and Weather
Student role: Weather scientists
Phenomenon: Students at one school are too cold during morning recess, while students at another are too hot during afternoon recess.
Unit 1
Animal and Plant Defenses
Student role: Marine scientists
Phenomenon: Spruce the Sea Turtle will soon be released back into the ocean, where she will survive despite predators.
Unit 2
Light and Sound
Student role: Light and sound engineers
Phenomenon: A puppet show company uses light and sound to depict realistic scenes in puppet shows.
Unit 3
Spinning Earth
Student role: Sky scientists
Phenomenon: The sky looks different to Sai and his grandma when they talk on the phone at night.
Unit 1
Plant and Animal Relationships
Student role: Plant scientists
Phenomenon: No new chalta trees are growing in the fictional Bengal Tiger Reserve in India.
Unit 2
Properties of Materials
Student role: Glue engineers
Phenomenon: Different glue recipes result in glues that have different properties.
Unit 3
Changing Landforms
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: The cliff on which Oceanside Recreation Center is situated appears to be receding.
Unit 1
Balancing Forces
Student role: Engineers
Phenomenon: The fictional town of Faraday is getting a new train. Unlike typical trains, this one floats, which is causing some concern among the town’s citizens.
Unit 2
Inheritance and Traits
Student role: Wildlife biologists
Phenomenon: An adopted wolf in Graystone National Park has some traits in common with one wolf pack in the park and other traits in common with a different pack.
Unit 3
Environments and Survival
Student role: Biomimicry engineers
Phenomenon: Over 10 years, a population of grove snails has changed. Populations with yellow shells have decreased, while those with banded shells have increased.
Unit 4
Weather and Climate
Student role: Meteorologists
Phenomenon: Three different islands, each a contender for becoming an orangutan reserve, experience different weather patterns.
Unit 1
Energy Conversions
Student role: System engineers
Phenomenon: The fictional town of Ergstown experiences frequent blackouts. Their electrical system seems to be failing.
Unit 2
Earth’s Features
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: A mysterious fossil is discovered in a canyon within the fictional Desert Rocks National Park.
Unit 3
Modeling Matter
Student role: Food scientists
Phenomenon: Some ingredients dissolve in a salad dressing while others, like oil and vinegar, appear to separate.
Unit 4
The Earth System
Student role: Water resource engineers
Phenomenon: East Ferris, a city on one side of the fictional Ferris Island, is experiencing a water shortage, while West Ferris is not.
Unit 1
Patterns of Earth and Sky
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An ancient artifact depicts what we see in the sky at different times of the day, but it appears to be missing a piece.
Unit 2
Vision and Light
Student role: Conservation biologists
Phenomenon: The population of Tokay geckos in a rain forest in the Philippines has decreased since the installation of new highway lights.
Unit 3
Waves, Energy, and Information
Student role: Marine scientists
Phenomenon: Mother dolphins in the fictional Blue Bay National Park communicate with their calves despite the distance between them.
Unit 4
Ecosystem Restoration
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The jaguars, sloths, and cecropia trees in a reforested section of a Costa Rican rain forest are not growing or thriving.
Middle school
Get started by watching this class share what they’re figuring out with Amplify Science. >
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Download some helpful resources to support your review.
- Explore the digital Teacher’s Guide by clicking the orange “Review now” button.
CORE
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
CORE
Phase Change
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
CORE
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
LAUNCH
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
CORE
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
LAUNCH
Harnessing Human Energy
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
CODING SCIENCE INTERNSHIP
Coding Science Internship: Coral Restoration (Optional)
Domains: Life Science, Coding Science
Unit type: Coding Science Internship
Student role: Coding science interns
Phenomenon: Implementing a restoration project to improve the health of coral reef populations in Hawaii.
CORE
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
CORE
Weather Patterns
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
CORE
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
CORE
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
CORE
Chemical Reactions
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
CORE
Light Waves
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
CORE
Populations and Resources
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
CORE
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed.
CODING SCIENCE INTERNSHIP
Coding Science Internship: Coral Restoration (Optional)
Domains: Life Science, Coding Science
Unit type: Coding Science Internship
Student role: Coding science interns
Phenomenon: Implementing a restoration project to improve the health of coral reef populations in Hawaii.
LAUNCH
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
CORE
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
CORE
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
CORE
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
CORE
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
CORE
Natural Selection
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
CORE
Rock Transformations (optional)
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
CORE
Evolutionary History
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
CODING SCIENCE INTERNSHIP
Coding Science Internship: Coral Restoration (Optional)
Domains: Life Science, Coding Science
Unit type: Coding Science Internship
Student role: Coding science interns
Phenomenon: Implementing a restoration project to improve the health of coral reef populations in Hawaii.
Resources to support your review
Select a topic below to explore helpful resources with more information about Amplify Science, the program’s development, and pedagogy.
[Video] Planning in action (K–5)
Watch how easy it is for Amplify Science teachers to prep their 3-D instruction.
[Video] Planning in action (6–8)
Watch how easy it is for Amplify Science teachers to prep their 3-D instruction.
[Video] Simulations and modeling tools (K–5)
Watch how students investigate phenomena with the help of digital tools.
[Video] Simulations and modeling tools (6–8)
Watch how students investigate phenomena with the help of digital tools.
Summary of Investigations (K–5) coming soon
Explore the types of investigations that students conduct.
Summary of Investigations (6–8) coming soon
Explore the types of investigations that students conduct.
Remote and hybrid learning guide
Amplify is here to help! Amplify Science will soon feature product enhancements and new resources that will help manage the new landscape of back-to-school 2020.
Students ready for more
Learn how we make learning more rigorous for students ready for a challenge.
NGSS Benchmark assessments
Learn more about the Next Generation Science Standards Benchmark assessments created by Amplify.
Ready to explore with digital access and physical samples?
Start your digital review and request physical samples with these three easy steps.
- Note these Ohio specific login credentials for your digital access.
Username: t.ohscience@tryamplify.net
Password: AmplifyNumber1 - Click Review now.
- Complete the form and select Log in with Amplify to input the Ohio specific login.
Contact an Amplify representative
For any questions, fill out the form to the right and a member of our sales team will reach out to you soon.
Katie Cannon
Senior Account Executive
Casie Rayes
Account executive
Matt Paupore
Senior Account Executive
Welcome, Nebraska educators!
Designed from the ground up for the NGSS to teach students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers, Amplify Science combines literacy-rich activities with hands-on learning and digital tools to engage students in exploring compelling phenomena in every unit.
Overview
Developed by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, our program features:
- A phenomena-based approach where students construct a more complex understanding of each unit’s anchor phenomenon.
- A blend of cohesive storylines, hands-on investigations, rich discussions, literacy-rich activities, and digital tools.
- Newly crafted units, chapters, lessons, and activities designed to deliver true 3-dimensional learning.
- An instructional design that supports all learners in accessing all standards.
Hear what these educators have to say about the program. >
Explore your grade level
Get started by watching this class share what they’re figuring out with Amplify Science. >
Then select your grade level below to learn more about how we make this type of rich learning accessible to all students at every grade.
Elementary school
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Download some helpful resources to support your review.
- Explore the digital Teacher’s Guide by clicking the orange “Review now” button.
Unit 1
Needs of Plants and Animals
Student role: Scientists
Phenomenon: There are no monarch caterpillars in the Mariposa Grove community garden ever since vegetables were planted.
Unit 2
Pushes and Pulls
Student role: Pinball engineers
Phenomenon: Pinball machines allow people to control the direction and strength of forces on a ball.
Unit 3
Sunlight and Weather
Student role: Weather scientists
Phenomenon: Students at one school are too cold during morning recess, while students at another are too hot during afternoon recess.
Unit 1
Animal and Plant Defenses
Student role: Marine scientists
Phenomenon: Spruce the Sea Turtle will soon be released back into the ocean, where she will survive despite predators.
Unit 2
Light and Sound
Student role: Light and sound engineers
Phenomenon: A puppet show company uses light and sound to depict realistic scenes in puppet shows.
Unit 3
Spinning Earth
Student role: Sky scientists
Phenomenon: The sky looks different to Sai and his grandma when they talk on the phone at night.
Unit 1
Plant and Animal Relationships
Student role: Plant scientists
Phenomenon: No new chalta trees are growing in the fictional Bengal Tiger Reserve in India.
Unit 2
Properties of Materials
Student role: Glue engineers
Phenomenon: Different glue recipes result in glues that have different properties.
Unit 3
Changing Landforms
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: The cliff on which Oceanside Recreation Center is situated appears to be receding.
Unit 1
Balancing Forces
Student role: Engineers
Phenomenon: The fictional town of Faraday is getting a new train. Unlike typical trains, this one floats, which is causing some concern among the town’s citizens.
Unit 2
Inheritance and Traits
Student role: Wildlife biologists
Phenomenon: An adopted wolf in Graystone National Park has some traits in common with one wolf pack in the park and other traits in common with a different pack.
Unit 3
Environments and Survival
Student role: Biomimicry engineers
Phenomenon: Over 10 years, a population of grove snails has changed. Populations with yellow shells have decreased, while those with banded shells have increased.
Unit 4
Weather and Climate
Student role: Meteorologists
Phenomenon: Three different islands, each a contender for becoming an orangutan reserve, experience different weather patterns.
Unit 1
Energy Conversions
Student role: System engineers
Phenomenon: The fictional town of Ergstown experiences frequent blackouts. Their electrical system seems to be failing.
Unit 2
Vision and Light
Student role: Conservation biologists
Phenomenon: The population of Tokay geckos in a rain forest in the Philippines has decreased since the installation of new highway lights.
Unit 3
Earth’s Features
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: A mysterious fossil is discovered in a canyon within the fictional Desert Rocks National Park.
Unit 4
Waves, Energy, and Information
Student role: Marine scientists
Phenomenon: Mother dolphins in the fictional Blue Bay National Park communicate with their calves despite the distance between them.
Unit 1
Patterns of Earth and Sky
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An ancient artifact depicts what we see in the sky at different times of the day, but it appears to be missing a piece.
Unit 2
Modeling Matter
Student role: Food scientists
Phenomenon: Some ingredients dissolve in a salad dressing while others, like oil and vinegar, appear to separate
Unit 3
The Earth System
Student role: Water resource engineers
Phenomenon: East Ferris, a city on one side of the fictional Ferris Island, is experiencing a water shortage, while West Ferris is not.
Unit 4
Ecosystem Restoration
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The jaguars, sloths, and cecropia trees in a reforested section of a Costa Rican rain forest are not growing or thriving.
Middle school
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Download some helpful resources to support your review.
- Explore the digital Teacher’s Guide by clicking the orange “Review now” button.
LAUNCH
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
CORE
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
CORE
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
CORE
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
CORE
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
CORE
Weather Patterns
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
CORE
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Engineering Internship
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
LAUNCH
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
CORE
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
CORE
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
CORE
Phase Change
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
CORE
Chemical Reactions
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
CORE
Populations and Resources
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
CORE
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed.
LAUNCH
Harnessing Human Energy
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
CORE
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
CORE
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
CORE
Light Waves
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
CORE
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
CORE
Natural Selection
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
CORE
Evolutionary History
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Resources to support your review
Select a topic below to explore helpful resources with more information about Amplify Science, the program’s development, and pedagogy.
[Video] Planning in action (K–5)
Watch how easy it is for Amplify Science teachers to prep their 3-D instruction.
[Video] Planning in action (6–8)
Watch how easy it is for Amplify Science teachers to prep their 3-D instruction.
[Video] Simulations and modeling tools (K–5)
Watch how students investigate phenomena with the help of digital tools.
[Video] Simulations and modeling tools (6–8)
Watch how students investigate phenomena with the help of digital tools.
Students ready for more
Learn how we make learning more rigorous for students ready for a challenge.
[Video] Literacy in action (K–5)
Watch students use scientific text to obtain information and practice reading skills, while using writing prompts to create arguments using evidence
[Video] Literacy in action (6–8)
Watch students use scientific text to obtain information and practice reading skills, while using writing prompts to create arguments using evidence.
Literacy-rich science instruction (K–5)
Immersing young students in reading, writing, and arguing like real scientists and engineers.
NGSS Benchmark assessments
Learn more about the Next Generation Science Standards Benchmark assessments created by Amplify.
Remote and hybrid learning guide
Amplify is here to help! Amplify Science will soon feature product enhancements and new resources that will help manage the new landscape of back-to-school 2020.
Ready to start exploring with digital access?
Contact an Amplify representative
Laina Armbruster
larmbruster@amplify.com
(602) 791-4135
Bob McCarty
rmccarty@amplify.com
(435) 655-1731
Kristin McDonald
kmcdonald@amplify.com
(515) 240-0244
Welcome to Grade 8
Amplify Science California is so effective you can cover 100% of the NGSS in fewer lessons than other programs.
Plus, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing we give you enough materials to support 200 students. In fact, our material kits:
- Support small groups of 4-5 students.
- Make organization and finding materials easy.
- Last longer with only one of the nine kits requiring refills.
What students learn
Lauren Learner loves science. Watch this video to find out what she learns in eigth grade. >
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Click on the orange “See how the unit works” link to download a helpful Unit Guide. These guides make great companions to busy reviewers looking for a big-picture understanding of how each unit works.
Unit 1
Harnessing Human Energy
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power electrical devices used during rescue missions.
Unit 2
Force and Motion
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod collided with the docking station and failed to dock as planned.
Unit 3
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can better protect pods and their contents.
Unit 4
Magnetic Fields
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During its third magnetic spacecraft launcher test, a model spacecraft far exceeded its target speed.
Unit 5
Light Waves
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer in Australia is higher than other parts of the world despite getting the same or less sunlight.
Unit 6
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: Pictures of specific features on the Moon can only be taken by an astrophotographer at certain times.
Unit 7
Natural Selection
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The rough-skinned newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Unit 8
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development.
Unit 9
Evolutionary History
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
How teachers teach
Tom Teacher feels confident delivering 3-D instruction with our resources by his side. Watch this video to learn more. >
When you’re ready:
- Scroll down and take a closer look at your classroom resources.
- Click on the orange links below each component to see grade-specific samples.
Classroom Slides
These customizable PowerPoints are available for every lesson of the program and make delivering instruction a snap with visual prompts, colorful activity instructions, investigation set-up videos and animations, and suggested teacher talk in the notes section of each slide.
Teacher’s Reference Guide
Available digitally and in print, our unit-specific reference guides are chock full of helpful resources, including scientific background knowledge, planning information and resources, color-coded 3-D Statements, detailed lesson plans, tips for delivering instruction, and differentiation strategies.
Login to platform below to access
Materials Kits
Our kits include enough non-consumable materials to support 200 student uses. In other words, you have enough materials to support all five periods and small groups of 4-5 students each. Plus, our unit-specific kits mean you just grab the tub you need and then put it all back with ease.
Simulations and Practice Tools
Our digital Simulations and Practice Tools are powerful resources for exploration, data collection, and student collaboration. They allow students the ability to explore scientific concepts that might otherwise be invisible or impossible to see with the naked eye.
Consumable Notebooks
Available for every unit, our Student Investigation Notebooks contain instructions for activities and space for students to record data and observations, reflect on ideas from texts and investigations, and construct explanations and arguments.
Student Edition Hardcover
This durable Student Edition is grade-level specific and contains all of the articles that students refer to throughout the year. Districts may choose to pair these traditional student texts with our digital student experience or new 2-volume consumable notebook set.
Coming Soon
Unlike other publishers, we don’t make you wait until your next adoption to get the latest and greatest from Amplify. We’re always launching new and exciting features. What’s more, we’ll push them out to you even after you adopt us!
Navigating the program
Watch the video to the right plus the ones below showing you how to navigate our digital platform. Then following the instructions below. >
- Click the orange button below to access the platform.
- Choose the resources you’d like to review.
- Pick your grade level from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down to find additional grade-level resources.
Navigating a Launch Unit
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of the program. The goal of a Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year.
Navigating an Engineering Internship
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Navigating a Core Unit
Core units introduce a real-world problem and support students as they figure out the anchoring phenomenon and gain an understanding of the unit’s DCIs, SEPs, and CCCs.
Navigating Classwork and Reporting
Classwork is our new online grading tool that gives you quick and easy access to unreviewed work, student portfolios of work, and automatically generated differentiation groups.
Welcome to Grade 3
Amplify Science California is so effective you can cover 100% of the NGSS in half the time of other programs.
You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing all you need is:
- 88 days per year
- 2-3 lessons per week
- 45 minutes per lesson
What students learn
Lauren Learner loves science. Watch this video to find out what she learns in third grade. >
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Click on the orange “See how the unit works” link to download a helpful Unit Guide. These guides make great companions to busy reviewers looking for a big-picture understanding of how each unit works.
Unit 1
Balancing Forces
Student role: Engineers
Phenomenon: The fictional town of Faraday is getting a new train. Unlike typical trains, this one floats, which is causing some concern among the town’s citizens.
Unit 2
Inheritance and Traits
Student role: Wildlife biologists
Phenomenon: An adopted wolf in Graystone National Park has some traits in common with one wolf pack in the park and other traits in common with a different pack.
Unit 3
Environments and Survival
Student role: Biomimicry engineers
Phenomenon: Over 10 years, a population of grove snails has changed. Populations with yellow shells have decreased, while those with banded shells have increased.
Unit 4
Weather and Climate
Student role: Meteorologists
Phenomenon: Three different islands, each a contender for becoming an orangutan reserve, experience different weather patterns.
How teachers teach
Tom Teacher feels confident delivering 3-D instruction with our resources by his side. Watch this video to learn more. >
When you’re ready:
- Scroll down and take a closer look at your classroom resources.
- Click on the orange links below each component to see grade-specific samples.
Classroom Slides
These customizable PowerPoints are available for every lesson of the program and make delivering instruction a snap with visual prompts, colorful activity instructions, investigation set-up videos and animations, and suggested teacher talk in the notes section of each slide.
Teacher’s Reference Guide
Available digitally and in print, our unit-specific reference guides are chock full of helpful resources, including scientific background knowledge, planning information and resources, color-coded 3-D Statements, detailed lesson plans, tips for delivering instruction, and differentiation strategies.
Login to platform below to access
Materials Kits
Our kits include enough non-consumable materials to support a class of 36 students and enough consumable items to support 72 students. In other words, each kit can last two years! Plus, our unit-specific kits mean you just grab the tub you need and then put it all back with ease.
Student Books
Our award-winning Student Books include content-rich nonfiction and informational texts designed to introduce concepts and also deepen understanding. Books are read to, with, and by students with ample scaffolding and support provided by the teacher in whole-class, small-groups, and student pairs.
Practice Tools
Our digital Practice Tools feature easy-to-use drag-and-drop and data-entry activities that support the practice of important SEPs like sorting, modeling, or visualizing information. Practice Tools can be used as a whole group, in small groups, or with a partner.
Consumable Notebooks
Available for every unit, our Student Investigation Notebooks contain instructions for activities and space for students to record data and observations, reflect on ideas from texts and investigations, and construct explanations and arguments.
Mystery Science
Our exclusive partnership with Mystery Science means you get our NGSS core curriculum plus two years of free access to Mystery Doug and his extensive library of captivating videos that deepen students’ understanding of each unit’s phenomenon.
Coming Soon
Unlike other publishers, we don’t make you wait until your next adoption to get the latest and greatest from Amplify. We’re always launching new and exciting features. What’s more, we’ll push them out to you even after you adopt us!
Navigating the program
Watch this video showing you how to navigate our digital platform. Then following the instructions below. >
- Click the orange button below to access the platform.
- Choose the resources you’d like to review.
- Pick your grade level from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down to find additional grade-level resources.
Review the digital teacher’s guide
- Click on the orange button below.
- Select “Log in with Amplify”.
- Sign in with this username and password:
Username: t.LouisianaReview@tryamplify.net
Password: AmplifyNumber1
Navigational Guides
Watch the video
Get an overview of navigating the digital Teacher’s Guide
Preview the Student Investigation Notebooks and science articles
Grade 6
Microbiome Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Populations and Resources Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Force and Motion Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Force and Motion Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Magnetic Fields Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Earth, Moon, and Sun Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Light Waves Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Grade 6 Louisiana Student Companion
Grade 7
Metabolism Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Metabolism Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Phase Change Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Chemical Reactions Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Traits and Reproduction Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Weather Patterns Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Earth’s Changing Climate Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Grade 7 Louisiana Student Companion
Grade 8
Geology on Mars Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Plate Motion Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Plate Motion Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Rock Transformations Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Thermal Energy Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Natural Selection Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Natural Selection Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Evolutionary History Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Preview the Student Investigation Notebooks and science articles
Grade 6
Microbiome Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Populations and Resources Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Force and Motion Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Force and Motion Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Magnetic Fields Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Earth, Moon, and Sun Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Light Waves Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Grade 6 Louisiana Student Companion
Grade 7
Metabolism Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Metabolism Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Phase Change Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Chemical Reactions Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Traits and Reproduction Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Weather Patterns Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Earth’s Changing Climate Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Grade 7 Louisiana Student Companion
Grade 8
Geology on Mars Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Plate Motion Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Plate Motion Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Rock Transformations Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Thermal Energy Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Natural Selection Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Natural Selection Engineering Internship Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Evolutionary History Student Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Tell us about your experience using an Amplify program or service in the classroom!
Use the form below to let us know how you would like to share your story. You can submit your experiences directly through the form or express interest in participating in serving as a reference or joining a research group, and we’ll be in touch!
If you use the Amplify Texas programming, please select your Texas program after selecting your state in the form below.
Join us!
Amplify Science: Wisconsin professional learning workshop
Join UC Berkeley’s Lawerence Hall of Science for a day of professional learning to support your implementation of Amplify Science. Workshop sessions and breakouts will benefit both those just starting in Amplify Science and those already well along their implementation journey. Teams are encouraged to attend!
When: April 29, 2020
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Pyle Center
Rooms 325/326
702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706
About the event
Overview of the day:
- Welcome and introductions
- Unpacking storylines
- Morning breakouts: Coherence in Amplify Science
- Lunch provided
- Afternoon breakouts: Planning for strategic implementation of the Amplify Science Assessment system
- Reflections and closing
Submit this form to register for the event!
A closer look at grades 6–8
Amplify Science is based on the latest research on teaching and learning and helps teachers deliver rigorous and riveting lessons through hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools that empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists.
In the 6–8 classroom, this looks like students:
- Collecting evidence from a variety of sources.
- Making sense of evidence in a variety of ways.
- Formulating convincing scientific arguments.
Is your school implementing the domain model? Click here.
Program structure
Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities. As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon.
It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science to teach less, but achieve more. Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our 6–8 program to address 100% of the NGSS in fewer lessons than other programs.
Scope and sequence
Every year our grades 6–8 sequence consists of 9 units, with each unit containing 10–19 lessons. Lessons are written to last a minimum of 45-minutes, though teachers can expand or contract the timing to meet their needs.
Unit types
Each unit delivers three-dimensional learning experiences and engages students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, while also serving a unique purpose.
In grades 6–8, there are three types of units:
- One unit is a launch unit.
- Three units are core units.
- Two units are engineering internships.
Launch units
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of Amplify Science. The goal of the Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year, including argumentation, active reading, and using the program’s technology. For example, rather than taking the time to explain the process of active reading in every unit in a given year, it is explained thoroughly in the Launch unit, thereby preparing students to read actively in all subsequent units.
Core units
Core units establish the context of the unit by introducing students to a real-world problem. As students move through lessons in a Core unit, they figure out the unit’s anchoring phenomenon, gain an understanding of the unit’s disciplinary core ideas and science and engineering practices, and make linkages across topics through the crosscutting concepts. Each Core unit culminates with a Science Seminar and final writing activity.
Engineering Internship units
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. Students figure out how to help those in need, from tsunami victims in Sri Lanka to premature babies, through the application of engineering practices. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Units at a glance
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Weather Patterns
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Phase Change
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature. Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Chemical Reactions
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Populations and Resources
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed.
Harnessing Human Energy
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
Light Waves
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Natural Selection
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
Evolutionary History
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Resources
What’s included
Along with compelling print materials, powerful digital resources, and more hands-on materials than any other program, Amplify Science California also includes engaging and realistic experiences, access to diverse role models, countless a-ha moments, and the inspiration and confidence to consider a future as a scientist or engineer.
Choose level
Year at a glance
Amplify Science California is organized around units where students explore compelling phenomena and real-world problems, develop and strengthen claims by collecting evidence and testing assumptions, and apply their learning in new contexts.
Units at a glance
In each Amplify Science California unit, students are asked to inhabit the role of a scientist or engineer in order to investigate a real-world problem. These problems provide relevant, 21st-century contexts through which students investigate different scientific phenomena.
1
Needs of Plants and Animals
Students take on the role of scientists in order to figure out why there have been no monarch caterpillars in the community garden since vegetables were planted. They investigate how plants and animals get what they need to live and grow, and make a new plan for the community garden that provides for the needs of the monarch caterpillars in addition to producing vegetables for humans.
2
Pushes and Pulls
Students take on the role of pinball machine engineers as they investigate the effects of forces on the motion of an object. They conduct tests in their own prototypes (models) of a pinball machine and use what they learn to contribute to the design of a class pinball machine. Over the course of the unit, students construct a foundational understanding of why things move in different ways.
3
Sunlight and Weather
The principals of Woodland Elementary and Carver Elementary need student weather scientists to help them explain why Woodland’s playground is warmer than Carver’s at recess. Students gather data from models of the sun and Earth’s surface and observe their own playgrounds to figure out how sunlight causes changes in the temperatures of different surfaces. Students then use models to figure out why Woodland’s playground sometimes floods.
1
Animal and Plant Defenses
Students play the role of marine scientists. In their role, students apply their understanding of plant and animal defense structures to explain to aquarium visitors how a sea turtle and her offspring can defend themselves from ocean predators when they are released into the wild.
2
Light and Sound
Students take on the role of light and sound engineers for a puppet show company as they investigate cause and effect relationships to learn about the nature of light and sound. They apply what they learn to design shadow scenery and sound effects for a puppet show.
3
Spinning Earth
As sky scientists, students explain why a boy living in a place near them sees different things in the sky than his grandma does when he talks to her on the phone. Students record, organize, and analyze observations of the sun and other sky objects as they look for patterns and make sense of the cycle of daytime and nighttime.
1
Plant and Animal Relationships
In their role as plant scientists, students work to figure out why there are no new chalta trees growing in the Bengal Tiger Reserve, which is part of a broadleaf forest. Students investigate what the chalta tree needs to survive, then collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to solve the mystery.
2
Properties of Materials
As glue engineers, students are challenged to create a glue for use at their school that meets a set of design goals. Students present an evidence-based argument for why their glue mixture will be good for their school to use.
3
Changing Landforms
The director of the Oceanside Recreation Center gets a scare when a nearby cliff collapses overnight. Research reveals that the distance between the Recreation Center’s flagpole and the edge of the cliff have changed over time. Students play the role of geologists and work to figure out why the cliff has changed over time. Based on what they learn about erosion, they advise on whether it is safe to keep the center open even though the cliff is changing.
1
Balancing Forces
People in Faraday are excited to hear that a new train service will be built for their city, but concerned when they hear that it will be a floating train. Students are challenged to figure out how a floating train works in order to explain it to the citizens of Faraday. They develop models of how the train rises, floats, and then falls back to the track, and then write an explanation of how the train works.
2
Inheritance and Traits
Students play the role of wildlife biologists working in Greystone National Park. They study two wolf packs and are challenged to figure out why an adopted wolf (“Wolf 44”) in one of the packs has certain traits. Students observe variation between and within different species, investigate inherited traits and those that result from the environment, and explain the origin of several of the adopted wolf’s traits.
3
Environments and Survival
In their role as biomimicry engineers, students work to figure out how the traits of grove snails affect their survival in different environments. They then explore how the traits of different organisms make them more likely or less likely to survive, collecting and interpreting data to understand how organisms’ traits affect their survival in different environments. Students then apply their understanding to a new challenge: designing effective solutions for the removal of invasive plants.
4
Weather and Climate
In their role as meteorologists, students gather evidence to decide where to build an orangutan reserve by analyzing patterns in weather data. After choosing the strongest evidence, students use data to make arguments about which of three fictional islands has weather most like that of orangutans’ existing habitats, Borneo and Sumatra. They then discern patterns in the locations of natural hazards in order to figure out which ones the Wildlife Protection Organization must prepare for.
1
Energy Conversions
Students take on the role of systems engineers for Ergstown, a fictional town that experiences frequent blackouts, and explore reasons why an electrical system can fail. Students apply what they learned as they choose new energy sources and energy converters for the town, then write arguments for why their design choices will make the town’s electrical system more reliable.
2
Inheritance and Traits
As conservation biologists, students work to figure out why a population of Tokay geckos has decreased since the installation of new highway lights in the rainforest. Students use their understanding of vision, light, and information processing to figure out why an increase in light in the geckos’ habitat is affecting the population.
3
Environments and Survival
Playing the role of geologists, students help the director of Desert Rocks National Park explain how and when a particular fossil formed and how it came to be in its current location. Students figure out what the environment of the park was like in the past and why it has so many visible rock layers.
4
Weather and Climate
In their role as marine scientists, students work to figure out how mother dolphins communicate with their calves. They write a series of scientific explanations with diagrams to demonstrate their growing understanding of how sound waves travel. Then they apply what they’ve learned about waves, energy, and patterns in communication to figure out how to create patterns that can communicate information over distances.
1
Patterns of Earth and Sky
Playing the role of astronomers, students help a team of archaeologists figure out what the missing piece of a recently discovered artifact might have depicted. As they learn about the sun and other stars and the movement of Earth, students can explain what is shown on the artifact and what might be on the missing piece.
2
Modeling Matter
In their role as food scientists at a fictional company, students are introduced to the idea that all matter is made of particles too small to see, and that each different substance is made of particles (molecules) that are unique. They are then challenged to solve two problems: one requires them to separate a mixture, and the other requires them to make unmixable substances mix. Students are challenged to use the particulate model of matter to explain their work to the CEO of the company.
3
The Earth System
The cities of East Ferris and West Ferris are located on different sides of a mountain on the fictional Ferris Island. East Ferris is having a water shortage while West Ferris is not. As water resource engineers, students learn about the Earth system to help figure out what is causing the water shortage problem and design possible solutions, including freshwater collection systems and proposals for using chemical reactions to treat wastewater.
4
Ecosystem Restoration
As ecologists, students work to figure out why the organisms in a part of a Costa Rican rainforest ecosystem aren’t growing and thriving. As they solve this problem, students learn more generally how organisms in an ecosystem get the matter and energy they need to survive, and then write a series of restoration plans that include arguments about why the rainforest ecosystem is not thriving and recommend actions to restore its health.
Print & digital components
Amplify Science California includes instructional guidance and student materials in English and Spanish for a year of instruction, with lessons and activities that keep students engaged every day.
Component
FORMAT
NEW! Classroom Slides
Meet your new hands-free TG! These lesson-specific PowerPoints make delivering daily instruction a snap with embedded links to related resources and suggested teacher talk in the Notes section of each slide.
Digital
Teacher’s Reference Guide
Available digitally and in print, this unit-specific reference guide includes scientific background knowledge, planning information and resources, color-coded 3-D Statements, detailed lesson plans, and tips for delivering instruction and differentiating learning.
Print and digital
Hands-on materials kits
Each unit-specific kit contains consumable and nonconsumable materials for use during hands-on investigations. In each kit you will find:
- Hands-on materials
- 18 copies of each of the Student Books
- Big books (grades K–1)
- Classroom display materials
- One Student Investigation Notebook
Kit
NGSS Benchmark Assessments
Delivered four times per year in grades 3–5 and three times per year in grades 6–8, our benchmark assessments report on students’ facility with each of the grade-level appropriate DCIs, SEPs, CCCs, and performance expectations of the California NGSS.
And now, Amplify Science California users can choose to administer the NGSS Benchmark Assessments (grades 3–8) through their Illuminate assessment platform.
*Also available in Spanish
Digital
Component
FORMAT
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks contain instructions for activities and space for students to record data, reflect on ideas from texts and investigations, and construct explanations and arguments.
*Also available in Spanish
Print and digital
Big books (grades K–1)
Amplify Science California never asks our youngest readers to read alone. Rather, we provide scaffolded literacy experiences every step of the way. With our large-format big books, introducing and revisiting concepts though read-aloud and shared reading experiences is a breeze.
*Also available in Spanish
Simulations and practice tools (grades 2+)
Developed exclusively for the Amplify Science California program, these serve as venues for exploration and data collection, allowing students to explore scientific concepts that might otherwise be invisible or impossible to see with the naked eye.
*Spanish versions coming soon
Digital
Explore more programs
Our programs are designed to support and complement one another. Learn more about our related programs.
Science testimonials
Whether science is just one of the subjects you teach or the subject you teach all day, you do amazing things in your classroom. We want to showcase those moments.
Help us champion science and shine a light on the future of learning by contributing your science testimonials.
Share your science story!
Use this form to let us know how you would like to share your story. You can submit your experiences (in words, photos, or even videos) directly through the form or express interest in serving as a reference or joining a research group, and we’ll be in touch!
Welcome, Seattle reviewers!
Authored by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, Amplify Science was designed from the ground up for the Next Generation Science Standards to teach students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. The program combines literacy-rich activities with hands-on learning and digital tools to engage students in exploring a compelling real-world phenomenon in every unit.
On this site, you will find easy-to-follow instructions and resources to support your review.
Courses for review
Amplify Science is a K–8 blended learning program where students take on the roles of scientists and engineers to solve real-world problems.
Materials for September 17, 2018 Publisher’s Presentation:
Questions for Publisher’s Presentation
Attachment: Support for English Language Learners
Recommended review process:
1. Bookmark this page for future reference. Consider this your home base, with all the tools you’ll need to conduct your review.
2. Access the Digital Curriculum by clicking on the orange buttons below.
* After 45 minutes of inactivity, you will be logged out of the curriculum. Return to this page to access the digital curriculum.
Below you will find log in instructions divided into two sections:
- Grades K-5
- Grades 6-8
Teacher account – grades K–5
Click below to preview the curriculum:
Click here to view a materials list.
When you are finished reviewing, sign out of the digital curriculum. Need help?
Student digital resources – grades K–5
Students in elementary school work primarily offline. Students in grades 2 through 5 have access to digital simulations and modeling tools through the Student Apps page. Click below to view the Amplify Science Digital Student Library.
Review the student books online by clicking here.
When you are finished reviewing, sign out of the digital curriculum. Need help?
Teacher account – grades 6–8
Click below to preview the curriculum:
If you have logged in to Amplify Science in the past, you will need to log in with the new credentials above.
Click here to view a materials list.
When you are finished reviewing, sign out of the digital curriculum. Need help?
Student account
Click below to view the Amplify Science Digital Student Library for middle school students:
Review the student digital library by clicking here.
When you are finished reviewing, sign out of the digital curriculum. Need help?
Course structure
Grade K
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Weather
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy and Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Grade 6
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Thermal Energy
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
Grade 7
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Grade 8
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Welcome, Edmonds reviewers!
Authored by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, Amplify Science was designed from the ground up for the Next Generation Science Standards to teach students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. The program combines literacy-rich activities with hands-on learning and digital tools to engage students in exploring a compelling real-world phenomenon in every unit.
On this site, you will find easy-to-follow instructions and resources to support your review.
Courses for review
Amplify Science is a blended learning program where students take on the roles of scientists and engineers to solve real-world problems. Below you will find log in instructions for the digital curriculum. As an Edmonds reviewer, you will also have access to Amplify Science middle school units.
Digital Teacher’s Guide
Click below to preview the curriculum:
If you have logged in to Amplify Science in the past, you will need to log in with the new credentials above.
When you are finished reviewing, sign out of the digital curriculum. Need help?
Student digital resources
Students in elementary school work primarily offline. Students in grades 2 through 8 have access to digital simulations and modeling tools through the Student Apps page. Click below to view the Amplify Science Digital Student Library
When you are finished reviewing, sign out of the digital curriculum. Need help?
Course structure
Grade K
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Weather
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy and Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Grade 6
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Thermal Energy
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
Grade 7
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Grade 8
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Contact your Edmonds representative directly
Patrick Momsen
District Manager
Phone: (541) 207-2148
Welcome, Achieve reviewers!
Authored by UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, Amplify Science was designed from the ground up for the Next Generation Science Standards to teach students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. The program combines literacy-rich activities with hands-on learning and digital tools to engage students in exploring a compelling real-world phenomenon in every unit.
On this site, you will find easy-to-follow instructions and resources to support your review.
Units for review
Amplify Science is a blended learning program where students take on the roles of scientists and engineers to solve real-world problems.
As a reviewer, you’ll have access to three Amplify Science units:
- Grade 1: Plant and Animal Defenses
- Grade 3: Weather and Climate
- Middle School: Light Waves
Below you will find log in instructions for the digital curriculum.
Teacher account
Click the orange button and choose “Log in with Amplify” using the login information below:
Username: t1.achievereview@tryamplify.net
Password: AmplifyNumber1
Click here to view the full program guide.
If you have logged into Amplify Science in the past, you will need to log in with the new credentials above.
When you are finished reviewing, sign out of the digital curriculum. Need help?
Grade K
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Weather
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy and Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Earth and Space Science
- Launch: Geology on Mars
- Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship: Plate Motion
- Rock Transformations
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship: Earth’s Changing Climate
Life Science
- Launch: Microbiome
- Metabolism
- Engineering Internship: Metabolism
- Traits and Reproduction
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Physical Science
- Launch: Harnessing Human Energy
- Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship: Force and Motion
- Magnetic Fields
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Light Waves
Inspiring the next generation of Massachusetts scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Educator Spotlight submission
Do you love using Amplify programs? Do you have helpful program implementation tips that you’d like to share with your fellow educators? Or, do you know a teacher who deserves to be celebrated for their work with their Amplify program(s)? Share your advice with us or tell us about an amazing Amplify educator. We’ll share your submission in an upcoming newsletter and social media post!
If you have any questions, please email educatornewsletter@amplify.com.
Submit your spotlight
Evaluate Online
To review Amplify Science online, click the orange button below.
Once you’re logged in, watch our navigational guide videos to review the digital Teacher’s Guides:
Grades K–5:
Grades 6–8:
Phenomenon-Based Learning
Phenomenon-based teaching and learning deeply engages students. By positioning students as scientists and giving them questions, not answers, Amplify Science delivers results in and beyond science class.
This represents a shift from asking students to learn about science to supporting students in figuring out the science.
Instructional Model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
New Program Enhancements
Amplify Science is unique because we continually add new content, tools, and resources, which will help us meet Milwaukee Public Schools’ needs as they evolve. In a world where things are changing by the minute, Amplify commits to providing MPS with the most up-to-date content throughout the life of the adoption.
We want to save you time, extend your reach, and support your efforts to deliver the types of rigorous and riveting learning experiences you know your students deserve.
Some of our latest enhancements include:
- Amplify Science@Home, a new solution to improve synchronous and asynchronous remote learning
- Classroom Slides offered in both PowerPoint and Google Slides formats, to save teachers time
- Spanish Digital Simulations and Spanish Classroom Slides, to complete our full Spanish digital suite
- Administrator Reports, which can be easily exported for integration with learning management systems
To learn more about our newest features, click here.
Science and Literacy
At Amplify, we believe science and literacy should truly integrated, and not just connected.
Even the youngest readers are supported in their journeys to obtain, evaluate, and communication information about the natural world through Read-Alouds, Shared Reading, and Partner Reading.
To learn more about Amplify Science and its commitment to literacy-rich science instruction, click here.
Spanish Resources
Amplify Science is committed to providing support to meet the needs of all learners, and includes multiple access points for Spanish-speaking students. Our Amplify Science materials were created with the same rigor of scientific accuracy, rich content and language, and literacy development, and materials were developed in conjunction with Spanish-language experts and classroom teachers.
Some of our Spanish resources include:
- Classroom Lesson Slides
- Spanish Digital Simulations
- Teacher Digital Licenses
- Student Digital Licenses
- All Student-Facing Print Materials
To see a complete list of Spanish print and digital resources, click here.
Access and Equity
Amplify Science provides all students with access to intellectually stimulating, rigorous, and culturally relevant science and engineering education. We value and build on the rich assets that each student brings to class. You can read more about our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion here.
To learn how we commit to culturally and linguistically responsive teaching, choose a link below.
- Universal Design for Learning
- Culturally and linguistically responsive teaching
- Differentiation strategies
- Lesson-level differentiation
Scope and Sequence
| GRADE | UNITS |
|
Grade 6: Earth Science |
|
| Grade 7: Life Science |
|
|
Grade 8: Physical Science |
|
Science of Reading: The Learning Lab course reflection
Create a short video or audio recording (approx. 1-3 minutes) responding to the course prompt. Please fill out the “Consent and release” section if you are willing to let us share your experience.
Tips for recording
Below are some suggested best practices for video and/or audio recordings:
- Lighting is best when the source is facing you; avoid overhead lighting.
- Avoid background noise and echos.
- It’s best to avoid both a busy background and clothing.
- Direct your gaze into the camera as much as possible.
- Record with phone in landscape (long from left to right) ensuring there’s ample open space around your head.
- Do a brief test to check video and audio quality.
- Ask a friend to help with the recording, if needed.
Submit feedback
We want to hear from you!
A powerful partnership
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
The Lawrence Hall of Science
The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science is a recognized leader in PreK–12 science education, producing groundbreaking curriculum products for more than 40 years, including the international award-winning Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®. The Hall’s curriculum materials are used in one in four classrooms across the nation. Read more about The Hall’s research-proven Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize multimodal learning model.
Amplify
Amplify has been pioneering digital education products for more than 15 years, empowering teachers across the country to offer more personalized instruction and accelerate the potential of their students to become more active, engaged learners. Amplify has supported more than 200,000 educators and three million students in all 50 states.
Multimodal learning model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Elementary school course structure
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Middle school course structure (Integrated Model)
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Thermal Energy
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary
Ready to learn more?
To begin your review, click the button below and fill out the form for more information about Amplify Science and to access the online digital curriculum.
Watch a video walkthrough
Elementary school
Middle school
Contact your Arkansas representative directly
Marty Pitts
Senior Account Executive
Email: mpitts@amplify.com
Phone: (214) 945-5544
Inspiring the next generation of Hawaii scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is a brand-new, engaging core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
The Lawrence Hall of Science
The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science is a recognized leader in PreK–12 science education, producing groundbreaking curriculum products for more than 40 years, including the international award-winning Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®. The Hall’s curriculum materials are used in one in four classrooms across the nation. Read more about The Hall’s research-proven Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize multimodal learning model.
Amplify
Amplify has been pioneering digital education products for more than 15 years, empowering teachers across the country to offer more personalized instruction and accelerate the potential of their students to become more active, engaged learners. Amplify has supported more than 200,000 educators and three million students in all 50 states.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Elementary school course structure
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Middle school course structure (Integrated Model)
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Thermal Energy
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Light Waves
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary
Ready to learn more?
To begin your review, click the button below to access the digital Teacher’s Guide.
Watch a video walkthrough
Elementary school
Middle school
Contact your Hawaii representative directly
Laina Armbruster
Account Executive
Email: larmbruster@amplify.com
Phone: (602) 791-4135
Inspiring the next generation of Idaho scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is a brand-new, engaging core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at the University of, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
The University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science is a recognized leader in PreK–12 science education, producing groundbreaking curriculum products for more than 40 years, including the international award-winning Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®. The Hall’s curriculum materials are used in one in four classrooms across the nation. Read more about The Hall’s research-proven Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize multimodal learning model.
Amplify has been pioneering digital education products for more than 15 years, empowering teachers across the country to offer more personalized instruction and accelerate the potential of their students to become more active, engaged learners. Amplify has supported more than 200,000 educators and three million students in all 50 states.
Multimodal learning model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Elementary school course structure
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
Middle school course structure (domain model)
- Launch:
Geology on Mars - Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Plate Motion - Rock Transformations
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Engineering Internship:
Earth’s Changing Climate
- Launch:
Microbiome - Metabolism
- Engineering Internship:
Metabolism - Traits and Reproduction
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
- Launch:
Harnessing Human Energy - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship:
Force and Motion - Magnetic Fields
- Thermal Energy
- Phase Change
- Engineering Internship: Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Light
Spanish-language support
Amplify Science is committed to providing support to meet the needs of all learners, including multiple access points for Spanish-speaking students. Developed in conjunction with Spanish-language experts and classroom teachers, multiple components are available in Spanish across the Amplify Science curriculum.
Spanish-language materials include:
| COMPONENT | TEACHER/STUDENT |
| Student Investigation Notebooks (K-8) | Student |
| Science articles (6-8) | Student |
| Student Books (K-5) | Student |
| Video transcripts (6-8) | Student |
| Digital simulation translation key (6-8) | Student |
| Printed classroom materials (K-8) (Unit and chapter questions, key concepts, vocabulary cards, etc.) | Teacher and student |
| Copymasters (K-8) | Teacher |
| Assessments (K-8) | Teacher |
Contact your Idaho representative directly
Bob McCarty
Senior Account Executive
Email: rmccarty@amplify.com
Phone: (435) 655-1731
Access the curriculum
To begin your review, click the button below for more information about Amplify Science and to access the online digital curriculum.
A powerful partnership
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works.
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full-class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation and, importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Resources to support your review
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena? – ebook
- Phenomena in grades K–5
- Phenomena in grades 6–8
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Active Reading in grades 6–8
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Program structure for grades K–5
- Louisiana Standards Correlation K–5
- Louisiana Standards Correlation 6
- Louisiana Standards Correlation 7
- Louisiana Standards Correlation 8
- Louisiana recommended scope and sequence for grades 6–8
Remote and hybrid learning support
Amplify has launched a new remote learning solution called Amplify Science@Home. Intended to make extended remote learning and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science@Home includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @Home Videos and @Home Units.
Amplify Science @Home Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home. These videos will be produced for all K–5 units, and for the first four units of each 6–8 grade level. Their release will be rolling, beginning in August.
Amplify Science@Home Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @Home Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. @Home Units will be developed for all Amplify Science K–8 units. Each @Home Unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @Home Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available.
- Overviews to send home to families.
Student materials are available in two formats:
- @Home Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home.
- Downloadable @Home Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home.
Download the Remote and hybrid learning guide.
What’s included:
Flexible resources that work seamlessly together
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- record data.
- reflect on ideas from texts and investigations.
- construct explanations and arguments.
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Louisiana-specific Materials
Louisiana Companion Student Booklet
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and modeling tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- conduct hands-on investigations.
- engage in active reading and writing activities.
- participate in discussions.
- record observations.
- craft end-of-unit scientific arguments.
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- Louisiana Companion Teacher Booklet (6-8)
- Classroom Slides
- detailed lesson plans.
- unit and chapter overview documentation.
- differentiation strategies.
- standards alignments.
- in-context professional development.
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science. Each unit kit contains:
- consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials.
- print classroom display materials.
- premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.).
Scope and sequence
Amplify Science Louisiana K–5 Program Brochure
GRADE
UNITS
Kindergarten
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
GRADE
UNITS
Grade 6
- Launch: Microbiome
- Populations and Resources
Additional instruction added: Human impact on Earth systems and Louisiana’s natural resources - Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Additional instruction added: Structure and properties of matter Structure and function of cells - Force and Motion
- Engineering Internship: Force and Motion
- Magnetic Fields
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Light Waves
Additional instruction added: The function of the cell nucleus
Grade 6 Louisiana Resources
- 5 Companion Lessons
- Units with Companions Lessons: Populations and Resources; Matter and Energy in Ecosystems; Light Waves
- Louisiana Companion Materials Kit
Grade 7
- Metabolism
- Engineering Internship: Metabolism
- Phase Change
- Chemical Reactions
- Traits and Reproduction
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
Grade 7 Louisiana Resources
- 8 Companion Lessons
- Units with Companions Lessons: Phase Change; Traits and Reproduction; Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate; Weather Patterns; Earth’s Changing Climate
- Louisiana Companion Materials Kit, not needed in 7th grade
Grade 8
- Launch: Geology on Mars
- Plate Motion
- Engineering Internship: Plate Motion
- Rock Transformations
- Thermal Energy
- Natural Selection
- Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
- Evolutionary History
Grade 8 Louisiana Resources
- 6 Companion Lessons
- Unit with Companions Lessons: Plate Motion; Rock Transformations; Thermal Energy; Natural Selection
- Louisiana Companion Materials Kit
Amplify and the Lawrence Hall of Science have created custom Amplify Science Louisiana materials for middle school students and teachers. The Louisiana edition of Amplify Science 6–8 differs from our national program in a few key ways:
- Standards cited are Louisiana State Standards for Science (LSSS) instead of NGSS
- A custom scope and sequence tailored to the LSSS is used
- Louisiana Companion Lessons are included
- Louisiana companion kits, which contain materials to accommodate the added companion lessons, are available for grades 6 and 8
Explore the Digital Teacher’s Guide
When you’re ready to review, click the orange button below and use your provided login credentials to access the Amplify Science Digital Teacher’s Guide.
To help familiarize yourself with navigating the digital Teacher’s Guide, watch our navigational guide videos:
Grades K–5:
Grades 6-8
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans.
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials.
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs.
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more.
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program.
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969.
For less urgent questions:
Contact us
Contact your Louisiana representative:
Wayne Hebert
whebert@amplify.com
(337) 298-7833
Amplify Science – West Virginia – state review
Plumstead Christian School
Amplify Science Middle School: Microbiome Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-489-1
Amplify Science Middle School: Harnessing Human Energy Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-497-6
Amplify Science Middle School: Metabolism Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-490-7
Amplify Science Middle School: Force and Motion Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-500-3
Amplify Science Middle School: Force and Motion Engineering Internship Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-502-7
Amplify Science Middle School: Rock Transformations Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-513-3
Amplify Science Middle School: Thermal Energy Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-504-1
Amplify Science Middle School: Plate Motion Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-509-6
Amplify Science Middle School: Plate Motion Engineering Internship Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-514-0
Amplify Science Middle School: Traits and Reproductions Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-494-5
Amplify Science Middle School: Populations and Resources Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-491-4
Amplify Science Middle School: Chemical Reactions Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-503-4
Amplify Science Middle School: Weather Patterns Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-510-2
Amplify Science Middle School: Light Waves Kit
Curriculum kit: Includes both print materials and manipulatives for 1 teacher with 5 classes of 40 students each.
978-1-64089-505-8
Amplify Science Middle School: Full Year Grade 6 Course (Integrated Model)
Bundle of 9 units of Amplify Science Middle School curriculum for Grade 6 using the Integrated model of science instruction.
150640086
Amplify Science Middle School: Full Year Grade 7 Course (Integrated Model)
Bundle of 9 units of Amplify Science Middle School curriculum for Grade 7 using the Integrated model of science instruction.
150640087
Amplify Science Middle School: Full Year Grade 8 Course (Integrated Model)
Bundle of 9 units of Amplify Science Middle School curriculum for Grade 8 using the Integrated model of science instruction.
150640088
Elk Grove Science K5
Getting started with Amplify Science California
Dear Elk Grove K–5 teachers,
Welcome to the Amplify Science California family! Below you’ll find everything you need to successfully kick off your science instruction this year.
– Your California team
Program introduction
Onboarding videos
To start using Amplify Science California quickly in your classroom, check out the following onboarding videos. They cover what you need to know to get started fast, from unpacking materials to quickly start using Amplify Science in your classroom and navigating the digital Teacher’s Reference Guide.
Program pacing
Hands-on materials kit
The following videos give you a quick look into our Amplify Science California classroom kits. For each grade level, you’ll find a “How to unpack your kit” video for the first unit of the program.
- Kindergarten: Needs of Plants and Animals unpacking video
- Grade 1: Animal and Plant Defenses unpacking video
- Grade 2: Plant and Animal Relationships unpacking video
- Grade 3: Balancing Forces unpacking video
- Grade 4: Energy Conversions unpacking video
- Grade 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky unpacking video
Teacher digital resources
Watch this video to understand the basic organization of the digital teacher experience and how to navigate the platform.
Want some practice? Download this exploration guide to practice toggling between teacher view, presentation view, and student view.
Our new digital experience also makes it easy to assign work through our LMS integrations.
Our new digital experience also makes it easy to view student work in real time.
Student digital resources
Watch this video to take a peek at the various student digital resources available to your class.
Use this Student Login Click Path document to support students and families logging in from home.
Essential resources
Your Teacher’s Reference Guide is a tremendously rich resource. It’s also packed! That’s why teachers getting started with Amplify Science love our condensed Unit Guides, lesson planners, and device calendars.
Unit Guides
These short and sweet guides provide a big picture overview of each unit’s phenomenon and storyline, the key questions that guide learning, and how the storyline develops from chapter to chapter. We even spoil the big reveal at the end by pointing out ahead of time what students figure out throughout the unit.
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships Unit Guide
- Properties of Materials Unit Guide
- Changing Landforms Unit Guide
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces Unit Guide
- Inheritance and Traits Unit Guide
- Environments and Survival Unit Guide
- Weather and Climate Unit Guide
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions Unit Guide
- Vision and Light Unit Guide
- Earth’s Features Unit Guide
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky Unit Guide
- Modeling Matter Unit Guide
- Earth System Unit Guide
- Ecosystem Restoration Unit Guide
Lesson planners
Our lesson planners give you easy access to direct links to key resources within the program.
Kindergarten
- Needs of Plants and Animals lesson planner
- Pushes and Pulls lesson planner
- Sunlight and Weather lesson planner
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses lesson planner
- Light and Sound lesson planner
- Spinning Earth lesson planner
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships lesson planner
- Properties of Materials lesson planner
- Changing Landforms lesson planner
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces lesson planner
- Inheritance and Traits lesson planner
- Environments and Survival lesson planner
- Weather and Climate lesson planner
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions lesson planner
- Vision and Light lesson planner
- Earth’s Features lesson planner
- Waves, Energy, and Information lesson planner
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky lesson planner
- Modeling Matter lesson planner
- Earth System lesson planner
- Ecosystem Restoration lesson planner
Teacher-provided materials
Your Amplify Science classroom kit includes a wide variety of consumable and non-consumable items. In fact, each kit contains enough non-consumables to support a class of 36 students working in small groups, and enough consumables to support 72 student uses.
In addition to these provided items, there are some teacher-provided items required in each unit. For a consolidated list of teacher-provided items per unit, download the appropriate PDF below.
- Kindergarten: Teacher-provided materials lists
- Grade 1: Teacher-provided materials lists
- Grade 2: Teacher-provided materials lists
- Grade 3: Teacher-provided materials lists
- Grade 4: Teacher-provided materials lists
- Grade 5: Teacher-provided materials lists
Device calendars
Our at-a-glance device calendars make device management and sharing between grade-level colleagues a breeze. With one calendar per unit (beginning in grade 2), you can easily see which lessons utilize devices.
- Grade 2: Device calendars for all units
- Grade 3: Device calendars for all units
- Grade 4: Device calendars for all units
- Grade 5: Device calendars for all units
Approach to assessment
The Amplify Science California assessment system is grounded in the principle that students benefit from regular and varied opportunities to demonstrate understanding through performance. In practice this means that conceptual understanding is revealed through engagement in the science and engineering practices.
Assessment types at a glance
In your classroom, you’ll be utilizing a variety of formative (F) and summative (S) assessments:
- End-of-Unit Assessment (S): Assessments toward the end of each unit feature a combination of targeted discussions, student-generated models, and written explanations to gauge students’ knowledge and growth.
- Pre-Unit Assessments (F): Discussion, modeling, and written explanations to gauge students’ knowledge.
- On-the-Fly Assessments (OtFA) (F): Multi-dimensional tasks integrated regularly throughout the lessons. OtFA opportunities were designed to help teachers make sense of student activity during a learning experience (e.g., student-to-student talk, writing, and model construction) and to provide evidence of how a student is coming to understand core concepts and developing dexterity with SEPs and CCCs. Three-dimensional assessment opportunities make measuring progress toward NGSS learning goals possible.
- Self-assessments (F): One per chapter; brief opportunities for students to reflect on their own learning, ask questions, and reveal ongoing wonderings about unit content.
- Critical Juncture Assessments (F): Variety of multidimensional performance tasks intended to assess student progress, occurring at the end of each chapter. Examples include writing scientific explanations, engaging in argumentation, developing and using models, and designing engineering solutions. Based on student performance on the assessment, teachers have access to recommendations for targeted student interventions, suggested follow-ups, or differentiating classroom instruction.
- End-of-Unit Assessment (S): Assessments toward the end of each unit feature a combination of targeted discussions, student-generated models, and written explanations to gauge students’ knowledge and growth.
Pre-Unit Assessments
Most Pre-Unit assessments are embedded within an activity of the first lesson of a unit. In kindergarten and grade 1, the Pre-Unit assessment (as well as the End-of-Unit assessment) is oral. In grades 2–5 they are typically written. Refer to the Digital Resources area of the Lesson Brief for materials needed for the assessment activity, such as the Clipboard Assessment Tool (K–1 only), copymasters (grades 2–5 only), and an Assessment Guide that will help you interpret and leverage students’ responses.
If you and your students have Interactive Classroom licenses, students can complete their assessment digitally instead of using the copymaster.
When students complete the assessment pages digitally, you’ll be able to review their work on the View Work page.
Critical Juncture Assessments
Critical Juncture assessments typically occur towards the end of each chapter. The Materials and Preparation section will indicate when there is a Critical Juncture to prepare for, but you can also tell when an activity is designed to be a Critical Juncture assessment by the hummingbird icon that will appear within it. Selecting the hummingbird icon will tell you how to assess students’ understanding with the activity, and how to tailor instruction based on what you find. If you need guidance on the “answers” to the assessment activity, refer to the “Possible Responses” tab.
If you are using Classroom Slides or Interactive Classroom, you’ll see a hummingbird or “Critical Juncture” label in the bottom right corner of one of the slides of the activity.
The notes about assessing understanding and tailoring instruction are located in the notes of that slide (on the right-hand side of the Teacher’s Guide tab in the Interactive Classroom experience; underneath the slide in Classroom Slides).
End-of-Unit Assessments
End-of-Unit assessments are typically the last lesson of a unit. In some units, these are two-part assessments that take place over two lessons. The easiest way to find the End-of-Unit assessment is to skim through the lesson titles. Lessons containing End-of-Unit assessments will always have that noted in the title.
Like the Pre-unit assessment, you can find materials for the End-of-unit assessments in the Digital Resources area of the Lesson Brief.
On-the-Fly Assessments
These embedded assessments leverage the formative opportunities in the learning experience students are already engaged in, such as creating models, analyzing data, actively reading, conducting investigations, and more. Refer to the Critical Juncture section above for guidance on finding information about using them.
Unit-level assessment information
You can find overall information about an individual unit’s assessments in the “Assessment System” resource, which is located within the Teacher References section on the Unit Overview page.
The Assessment System resource contains a comprehensive list of all of the assessment opportunities in the unit, including the assessment’s location, a brief indication of what students are doing in that particular activity, what type of assessment it is, which Disciplinary Core Ideas, science and engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts it specifically addresses, and the kind of evaluation guidance you can expect for it. If you are in a kindergarten or first grade unit, you will also find information on the Clipboard Assessment Tool (used for supporting oral assessment) in this section.
If you’re interested in focusing on information related to the unit’s Critical Juncture and On-the-Fly assessments in particular, check out the “Embedded Formative Assessments” resource, also located within the Teacher References section on the Unit Overview page.
Three-dimensional assessment connections
All assessment opportunities within Amplify Science California include clear labeling around the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), and Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) to help teachers connect formative and summative assessments to specific NGSS dimensions.
Coming soon
Unlike other publishers, we don’t make you wait until your next adoption to get the latest and greatest from Amplify. We’re always launching new and exciting features. In fact, on this page is a list of new features you can look forward to using during the 2023-2024 school year.
FAQs
Program questions
Amplify Science California is a flexible, blended K–8 science curriculum that addresses 100 percent of the Next Generation Science Standards for California and a significant number of the California English Language Development Standards and Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects, and Math. Together, the units deliver three-dimensional instruction across the following disciplines: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Engineering Design.
Amplify Science California does indeed feature some powerful and engaging digital components, which are gradually introduced beginning at grade 2. However, as a fully blended and flexible program, Amplify Science California can be (and has been) implemented in a wide variety of scenarios.
All lessons were designed with device sharing in mind, and never assume that every student has a separate device. While 1:1 scenarios are great, they aren’t required. When devices are necessary for students to fully experience a concept, teachers can opt to share devices across pairs or small groups, or simply display the Sim or Modeling Tool to the whole class and allow students to “drive” using your device.
Rather than introducing a concept on Monday, testing for mastery on Friday, and knowing students will forget everything by the next Tuesday, we set out to help students build meaningful and lasting knowledge that they can retain and transfer over the course of the entire unit. We accomplish this by giving students multiple opportunities (a.k.a. “at-bats”) to encounter, explore, and experience a concept. Said another way, Amplify Science California is actually made up of a series of multi-modal “mini-lessons.” This intentional, cyclical, and iterative design mirrors the 5Es, allows teachers the flexibility to speed up or skip ahead once students have demonstrated mastery, and empowers students to learn concepts more deeply than any other program.
Yes. Rather than separating performance expectations into physical science units, earth and space science units, and life science units, Amplify Science California units are organized around anchoring phenomena designed to give students opportunities to dive deeply into certain Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) while also drawing from or applying to others. In organizing the Amplify Science California middle school units, we’ve carefully sequenced these ideas within each grade level to support the development of deep and coherent understanding.
Many real-world phenomena cross the domain boundaries of life, physical, or earth and space science (as well as engineering). Each Amplify Science California unit begins with an intriguing real-world phenomenon that poses a problem that needs to be understood and/or solved. By the end of the unit, students will have analyzed the anchor phenomenon across multiple scientific domains, possibly designed and tested an engineering solution, and applied what they’ve learned in a different context.
For example:
In the Light Waves unit, students investigate the anchoring phenomenon of why Australia has a much higher skin cancer rate than countries at similar latitudes like Brazil. The focus of this unit is on Disciplinary Core Ideas related to wave properties (PS4.A) and electromagnetic radiation (PS4.B). Students explore these physical science ideas deeply within the unit, and also draw on ideas from earth science (e.g., latitudinal variation of the sun’s energy) and life science (e.g., the effect of energy on the DNA in the nucleus of a cell) in order to explain the central phenomenon.
Absolutely. Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science California. Integrated into every unit are opportunities for students to take on the role of scientists and engineers as they gather evidence, think critically, solve problems, and develop and defend their claims.
In addition, our unique combination of focus and flex activities means teachers have more options, opportunities, and materials to make learning active. Each hands-on activity provides clear instructions for the teacher, with more complex activities supported by video demonstrations and illustrations.
What’s important to remember is that more hands-on doesn’t necessarily mean better, at least according to the California NGSS. That’s because only two of the eight Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) are directly related to hands-on learning.
Just as scientists gather evidence from many types of sources, students in the Amplify Science California program gather evidence not just by making physical models, but also by making and interpreting digital models; reading texts; watching videos; and analyzing photographs, maps, and data sets. By doing do, students are provided with more opportunities than any other program to use all of the practices called out in the California NGSS Framework:
- Asking questions
- Developing and using models
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Using mathematics and computational thinking
- Constructing explanations
- Engaging in arguments from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
While all of our units engage students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, the reliance on different types of evidence (and evidence sources) varies according to unit. For instance, some units lend themselves to meaningful hands-on experiences, while in other units the phenomena students are investigating are too slow, too dangerous, or too big to be observed directly. In those units, students rely more heavily on other evidence sources such a physical models or simulations.
Unit types in grades K–5
In each K–5 grade, there is one unit that emphasizes investigation, one that emphasizes modeling, and one that emphasizes design. In addition, in grades 3–5, there is also one unit that emphasizes argumentation.
Unit types in grades 6–8
Each 6–8 grade features three types of units: Launch, Core, and Engineering Internships. Each year has one Launch unit, six Core units, and two Engineering Internships.
For teachers who want to supplement the lessons with even more hands-on activities, optional “flextension” activities are included in many units.
Yes indeed. Amplify Science California integrates all four STEM disciplines—science, technology, engineering, and math, in addition to English Language Arts—throughout the curriculum. In addition, each grade level features specific units that emphasize engineering design.
Yes, the program includes multiple opportunities for summative assessments.
End-of-unit assessments: At grades K–1 these look like targeted conversations, at grades 2–5 we incorporate written responses, and at grades 6–8 we assess through a combination of auto-scored multiple-choice questions and rubric-scored written responses. These summative assessments for each unit are designed to provide valid, reliable, and fair measures of students’ progress and attainment of three-dimensional learning.
Benchmark assessments: Delivered four times per year in grades 3–5 and three times per year in grades 6–8, benchmark assessments report on students’ facilities with each of the grade appropriate DCIs, SEPs, CCCs, and performance expectations of the California NGSS.
Science Seminars and final written arguments (formative and summative components): In grades 6–8, culminating performance tasks for each core unit invite students to figure out a new real-world problem. They collect and analyze evidence, examine a number of claims, and then engage in a full-class discussion where they must state which claims are best supported by the evidence, all while making clear their reasoning that connects the evidence to the claims. After the seminar, students then individually write their final scientific argument, drawing on the DCIs, SEPs, and CCCs they have used over the course of the unit to develop a sophisticated and convincing argument that addresses the problem they’ve been investigating. Rubrics, scoring guides, and examples of student responses at each scoring level are provided to teachers to support the assessment of students’ understanding of concepts and specific practices.
Amplify Science California provides more than enough instructional content to fill 180 days of instruction. However, unlike other programs that expect you to complete 180 discrete lessons, Amplify Science California includes built-in wiggle room.
For example, the typical elementary classroom delivers science instruction only two times per week. Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our program to address 100 percent of the California NGSS in just 66 days at grades K–2 and 88 days at grades 3–5. When it comes to middle school, we address 100 percent of the California NGSS in 146 lessons.
Some classes might last longer than one session due to a number of reasons (e.g., enthusiastic student conversations, challenging topics requiring deeper dives, more time needed to accommodate diverse learners, etc.). Also, teachers might want to supplement Amplify Science California with some of their own favorite lessons. Lastly, we’ve accounted for the inevitable assembly days, class trips, testing schedules, etc. For teachers that want to go deeper or expand upon a unit topic, we also offer a number of additional lessons that are not core to each unit.
Amplify Science California lessons are designed to be completed in the following time frames:
Lessons in grades K–1 are designed for 45 minutes of science instruction.
Lessons in grades 2–5 are designed for 60 minutes of science instruction.
That said, it’s not a problem if you can’t allocate 45 minutes of science instruction every day at K–1, or 60 minutes per day at 2–5. Since there are a total of 66 lessons to address 100 percent of California NGSS at grades K–2, and 88 lessons to address 100 percent of California NGSS at grades 3–5, you can easily teach the lessons in smaller blocks and cover all of the content over the course of the school year.
Each lesson of every Amplify Science California unit includes point-of-use differentiation strategies and embedded teacher and student supports for diverse learners, including English learners, students who need more support, and students who are ready for more challenge. These strategies and methods ensure that all students have access to the same content as their peers.
Two notable categories of suggested modifications are:
- English-learner-specific strategies such as English/Spanish glossaries, native language supports, and provision of cognates and other content-specific language scaffolds are provided in each unit.
- Relatively small alterations and additional scaffolds that provide students with greater access to the content.
These types of scaffolds benefit all learners and include suggestions such as providing graphic organizers, practice with multiple-meaning words, etc.
With Amplify Science California, the use of technology is always purposeful.
For example:
- The curriculum has a strong emphasis on literacy, with students reading and analyzing informational texts, and writing scientific explanations and arguments.
- Digital elements are gradually introduced to students in grades 2–3, with the greatest use of digital elements taking place in grades 4–5, as the phenomena at these grades become more challenging to observe directly.
- The curriculum’s readers and interactive notebook pages are available in both print and digital across all K–5 units.
This curriculum addresses a significant number of the standards as they pertain to science. Throughout each unit, students read science texts, engage in science talk and argumentation, and write evidence-based science explanations. The curriculum supports vocabulary, language, and reading comprehension development. Students also use measurement tools with precision, record and analyze data, make sense of scientific phenomena, and develop solutions to problems experienced in the real world.
Digital questions
Teacher Support notes including sample teacher talk, student responses, pedagogical support, and possible student responses are provided within your student-facing slides. Simply click “Teach” and reference your private Teacher Guide tab. Students will only see the lesson slides that you are presenting.
You, the teacher, must “Start class” to launch the presentation tab. (Remember, without the presentation tab, students would be able to see your teacher notes.)
Clicking “Starting class” also brings students to the correct slide, which is particularly important for young students who are learning to navigate.
Teachers can either press the “End class” button in the bottom right corner of the slide navigation, or they can simply close the presentation tab.
Clicking “End class” also enables students to navigate through the lesson on their own. That means they’ll be able to return to slides and books to review content, to the Sims and Modeling Tools to replay them, or to notebook pages to update their work.
You can click on the “Student preview” option in the bottom right corner (within the menu that opens when you click the three dots) to open a new browser tab where you can preview the student view using your teacher account.
Any work you complete in this student preview (or elsewhere in the teacher experience) will be automatically saved to your account.
Looking for help?
For login or technology issues, please submit an EGUSD Heat ticket. For curriculum and pedagogical questions, please refer to the support resources below.
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We’ve developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans.
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials.
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs.
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more.
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program.
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969.
For less urgent questions:
Connect with other teachers
Our Amplify Science Facebook group is a community of Amplify Science educators from across the country. It’s a space to share best practices, ideas, and support on everything from implementation to instruction. Join today.
Our Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation, and importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using modeling tools to craft visualizations of their thinking— just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Scope and sequence
GRADE
UNITS
Kindergarten
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Pushes and Pulls
- Sunlight and Water
Grade 1
- Animal and Plant Defenses
- Light and Sound
- Spinning Earth
Grade 2
- Plant and Animal Relationships
- Properties of Materials
- Changing Landforms
Grade 3
- Balancing Forces
- Inheritance and Traits
- Environments and Survival
- Weather and Climate
Grade 4
- Energy Conversions
- Vision and Light
- Earth’s Features
- Waves, Energy, and Information
Grade 5
- Patterns of Earth and Sky
- Modeling Matter
- The Earth System
- Ecosystem Restoration
GRADE
UNITS
Grade 6
- Launch: Microbiome
- Metabolism
- Metabolism Engineering Internship
- Thermal Energy
- Plate Motion
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship
- Rock Transformations
- Weather Patterns
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Grade 7
- Launch: Harnessing Human Energy
- Phase Change
- Phase Change Engineering Internship
- Magnetic Fields
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
- Chemical Reactions
- Populations and Resources
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Grade 8
- Launch: Geology on Mars
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Light Waves
- Force and Motion
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship
- Traits and Reproduction
- Natural Selection
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship
- Evolutionary History
Charlotte of diocese standards alignment
Amplify Science was designed from the ground up. The guidance below is meant to provide support for integrating additional companion activities that support the students of the Charlotte of Diocese.
Organized by grade level, each section below will show:
- The standard being addressed with the activities;
- The recommended placement of the activities within a specific Amplify Science unit; and
- PDFs of any accompanying materials that are necessary to implement the activities.
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
What’s included
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- Record data
- Reflect on ideas from texts and investigations
- Construct explanations and arguments
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and modeling tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- Conduct hands-on investigations
- Engage in active reading and writing activities
- Participate in discussions
- Record observations
- Craft end-of-unit scientific arguments
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- Classroom Slides
- Detailed lesson plans
- Unit and chapter overview documentation
- Differentiation strategies
- Standards alignments
- In-context professional development
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science. Each unit kit contains:
- Consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials
- Print classroom display materials
- Premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.)
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969
For less urgent questions:
Contact us
Contact your South Carolina team representatives:
Jennifer Eason
Senior Account Executive
jeason@amplify.com
Tom Gantt
District Manager
tgantt@amplify.com
S3-04: Using AI and ChatGPT in the science classroom
In the latest episode of the Science Connections podcast, we explore AI in education and its impact on students. Listen as I sit down with teachers Donnie Piercey and Jennifer Roberts to discuss ChatGPT and how we can use it to build science and literacy skills in K–12 classrooms while preparing students for the real world.
And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!
We hope you enjoy this episode and explore more from Science Connections by visiting our main page!
Jennifer Roberts (00:00:00):
If a kid graduates from school without knowing that AI exists, they’re not gonna be prepared for what they face out in the world.
Eric Cross (00:00:07):
Welcome to Science Connections. I’m your host, Eric Cross.
Eric Cross (00:00:12):
This season of the podcast, we’re making the case for everyone’s favorite underdog, science. Recently we’ve been highlighting the magic that can come from integrating science and literacy. So if you haven’t checked out those recent episodes, definitely go back in your feed after you’re done with this one. This time around, we’re going to deep dive into what artificial intelligence means for literacy instruction, and how science can be a force for good, in responsibly exposing students to AI. To help me out, I’m joined by two extremely accomplished educators. Jen Roberts, a veteran high-school English teacher from San Diego, who among many things runs the website LitAndTech.com. And I’m also joined by fifth-grade teacher Donnie Piercey. In addition to being Kentucky’s 2021 Teacher of the Year, Donnie also has an upcoming book about bringing AI into the classroom. Whether you’ve never heard of ChatGPT or whether you’re already using it every day, I think you’ll find this a valuable discussion about the intersection of science, English, and technology. Here’s Jen and Donnie.
Eric Cross (00:01:17):
So first off, welcome to the show. It’s good to see you all. What I wanna do is kind of start off by introducing both of you. And so we’ll just go K–12. So <laugh>, Donnie.
Jennifer Roberts (00:01:30):
Donnie goes first.
Eric Cross (00:01:31):
Donnie’s gonna go first. Donnie out in Kentucky. Just a little background. What do you teach; how long you’ve been in the classroom; and what are you having fun with right now?
Donnie Piercey (00:01:38):
Yeah, so my name is Donnie Piercey. I’m a fifth-grade teacher from Kentucky. Live and teach right here in Lexington, Kentucky, right in the center of the state. I’m the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. But I’ve been teaching elementary school for the past … I think this is year 16 or 17. It’s long enough where I’ve lost count, and I can’t even count on fingers anymore. My friends like to joke that I’ve taught long enough where now I can count down. You know, it’s like, “All right, only so many more years left.” But yeah, teach all subjects. Science definitely is one of the subjects that I don’t just try to squeeze into my day, but make sure that … it’s not even a devoted subject, but one that I definitely try to — don’t just have that set time, but also try to do some cross-curricular stuff with it. So definitely the rise of AI in these past few months, which feels like years by this point, has definitely played quite the role, in not just changing the way that I’ve been teaching science, but really all my subjects. So, excited to chat with y’all about it.
Eric Cross (00:02:47):
Nice. I’m excited that you’re here. And Jen?
Jennifer Roberts (00:02:51):
Hi, I’m Jen Roberts. I teach ninth-grade English at Point Loma High School, and that’s where I usually stop when I introduce myself. But for your sake—
Eric Cross (00:03:00):
I will keep introducing you if you stop there. <laugh>
Jennifer Roberts (00:03:04):
I am nationally board-certified in English Language Arts for early adolescence. I am the co-author of a book called Power Up: Making the Shift to 1:1 Teaching and Learning, from Stenhouse, with my fabulous co-author Diana Neebe. Shout out to Diana. I blog at LitAndTech.com about teaching and technology and literacy and the intersection of those things. And I’m looking forward to talking about how AI is showing up in my classroom and the fun things I’m doing with it.
Donnie Piercey (00:03:31):
And one of us is actually secretly a robot, and you have to guess which one.
Jennifer Roberts (00:03:35):
Have to guess which one. Yes. <laugh>
Eric Cross (00:03:37):
That would be super-meta. And you were the CUE — Computer-Using Educator — outstanding teacher or educator? Whatever. Either one. Of the year.
Jennifer Roberts (00:03:45):
I was the CUE ’22 Outstanding Educator. Yes. And I’ve won a few other things as well.
Eric Cross (00:03:53):
The gaming backpack.
Jennifer Roberts (00:03:54):
I’ve won a gaming backpack recently! Yes. I once won an iPad in a Twitter chat.
Eric Cross (00:03:58):
What?
Donnie Piercey (00:03:58):
What’s a gaming backpack? Hold on. We need to talk about that.
Jennifer Roberts (00:04:01):
We will talk about that. <laugh> And then, I was once a finalist for county Teacher of the Year. That’s as close as I got to Donnie. Donnie was the Kentucky Teacher of the Year. He got to go to the White House and stuff. That was exciting.
Donnie Piercey (00:04:13):
<laugh> I mean, to be fair, there’s only three million people in Kentucky, and about what, 50 million people that live in California? <Laugh> So odds are definitely stacked in my favor, I think.
Jennifer Roberts (00:04:23):
So you’re saying we’re even there? Is that, is that what you’re going for?
Donnie Piercey (00:04:25):
Yeah, evens out. Evens out.
Eric Cross (00:04:27):
So I’ve been looking forward to talking to you both for a while now, and talking about artificial intelligence. It’s like the big thing. And both of you, at different ends of the spectrum and in my life, have contributed to this. Donnie, you’ve been sharing so much great information online about how you’re using AI in elementary. Jen, you are the reason I got into education technology years ago, right when I was becoming a teacher. And so being able to talk with you both about it excites me a lot. So first off, for the listeners who may not have any experience with it — and there’s still a lot of people out there who have not been exposed to it, haven’t got their feet wet with it yet — I’m hoping we could start off maybe with an explanation of … we could do AI, ChatGPT, I know that’s the big one. But simply explaining what it is, just for the new person. And whoever wants to start off can tell us about it. Or maybe we’ll start … we’ll, let’s actually, let’s do this: Let’s continue going like K–12? So Donnie, maybe you could … what’s your pitch to the new person of, “Hey, this is what it is”?
Donnie Piercey (00:05:31):
All right. So, AI, artificial intelligence, probably the way that most people are exposed to it, at least since November when it launched, is through ChatGPT. Where if you Google it, you know it’s made by a company called OpenAI. The best way to describe what it is … when you go there for the first time, make an account, it’s free. You have like a little search window, looks like a Google search bar. And instead of searching for information, you can ask it to create stuff for you. So for example, like on Google search, you might type in a question like, “Who was the 19th president of the United States?” Where on ChatGPT, instead of just searching for information, it creates stuff for you. So you could say, you could ask it to, “Hey, write a poem about the 19th president of the United States.” Or, “Write a short little essay comparing, I don’t know, Frederick Douglass to Martin Luther King Jr.” And it would do that for you. You know, that’s most people’s first exposure to AI, at least in these past few months. Instead of … you know, it’s artificial intelligence, but it’s not just chatbots. There’s lots of other AI that exist out there.
Jennifer Roberts (00:06:47):
And I think that’s the thing: that people don’t realize how much AI is already in their lives.
Donnie Piercey (00:06:51):
For sure. Yeah.
Jennifer Roberts (00:06:52):
You know, they just haven’t seen … the term that I see being used a lot now is “generative AI.” AI that can produce something. It can produce writing, it can produce art, it can produce a script, it can produce a character. But the AI that has been helping you pick what to watch next on Netflix and the AI that’s helping Google help you get where you wanna go on Google Maps faster, those are forms of artificial intelligence as well.
Donnie Piercey (00:07:21):
Yeah. I mean, even those, when you get that that message in Gmail, and instead of having to type out that response that says, “Yeah, that sounds great,” you can just click the little button that says, “Yeah, that sounds great.” I mean, that’s been in Gmail for years, but that’s artificial intelligence too.
Eric Cross (00:07:39):
Absolutely. So why is it important, do you think, for educators to, to be familiar with it? Like, why are we all so excited about it?
Jennifer Roberts (00:07:47):
So, educators need to know what kids are into, and kids are obviously into ChatGPT. And anyone who’s an educator right now has probably already had something cross their desk — or more likely their computer screen — that was written by AI and passed off as a student’s own work. And that is, of course, the great fear among teachers everywhere, that this is what kids are just gonna do these days and they won’t be able to catch it and children won’t be doing their own work and this and this. But I think the big reason teachers need to know what’s going on is because teachers need to be futurists. Our clientele will live in the future. We teach kids, kids will become adults, adults will live in the world. And so if we’re not thinking about and trying to predict on some level what’s gonna happen 5, 10, 15 years from now … we might be wrong, but what if we’re right?
Jennifer Roberts (00:08:38):
And if we’re not at least trying to think about what is their future world gonna look like, then we’re not serving our students well. I did a whole night talk on that. So I think ChatGPT is part of that. I teach seniors. I had this moment of realization I felt a few months ago. I’m like, “This is gonna be the world they graduate into. They need to know what this is before they leave me.” If I don’t teach them how to use this well, and not the way they’re using it — which is to copy and paste the teacher’s assignment and drop it into ChatGPT and take whatever it spits out and turning that in without even looking at it — if I don’t teach ’em how to use it critically, if I don’t teach them how to write effective prompts, if I don’t teach them how to use the AI as a tool, as a collaborator, then they’re gonna graduate into a world where they lose out to people who do know how to do that. And I think the advantage goes to kids who have access and knowledge of what’s in front of them and what’s available, and can use all of the tools at their disposal. Because when you’re writing in school and you write with a collaborator, that could be considered cheating. But when you do that out in the adult world, that’s considered doing a good job. <Laugh> Being a team player. <Laugh> You know, adults don’t work alone for the most part. And adults are expected to churn out beautiful, perfect content no matter how they got there. So if I’m not teaching my kids how to use this, they’re not being ready. They’re not gonna be ready to be the adults that I want them to be.
Donnie Piercey (00:10:07):
A hundred percent agree. And I also believe … as you know, I teach elementary school. I also don’t think anybody is saying that on the first day of kindergarten, you hand a kid a Chromebook and load up an AI chatbot or ChatGPT and say, Hey, this thing’s gonna do all your work for you for the next 12 years; just coast through life. You don’t have to think creatively. You don’t have to learn how to develop a paragraph or learn how to write a speech or develop an idea. Like, I don’t think anybody’s saying that, because as an elementary school teacher, there’s many days when I’m like, “Y’all, we’re just putting the Chromebooks away today and we’re just gonna go old-school. We’re just gonna maybe just jot down five quick ideas and stand up and present those ideas to the class.”
Donnie Piercey (00:10:54):
Because while AI definitely will, like you were saying, Jen, play a significant role in the lives of our students who are, not just graduating, but the 10- and 11-year-olds in my classroom this year. A significant role in their lives. It’s also really important to recognize that we’re not saying that this means that “Hey, kids don’t have to work anymore.” They still have to put forth that effort. There’s still — one of the ways that you become a good writer is by trial and error. And sometimes that trial and error comes through talking to a teacher or talking like you were saying to a peer or collaborating with a peer and saying to them, “Well, this sentence here, this paragraph here, really doesn’t make sense.” And I do believe one of the ways — especially as AI starts to become more fine-tuned and starts to be embedded more and more in tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word — is it’s almost going to be a tutor to students.
Donnie Piercey (00:11:56):
Mm-hmm. <affirmative> Where I could very easily see in a few years, or maybe a few months, who knows what Google or any of these other big companies has rolling out, where a student could highlight a paragraph that they wrote simply, and then say, “Hey, proofread this for me,” or “Check for coherence.” Or even just ask a simple question: “Does this paragraph make sense?” Because you can already do that. You can copy a paragraph over into a chatbot and say, “Hey, does this make sense?” You know, “Rate my idea from one to 10,” and it’ll do that for ’em.
Jennifer Roberts (00:12:26):
We did that last week <laugh>.
Donnie Piercey (00:12:28):
Yeah. Right. I mean, that’s the thing. That technology exists now. It’s just not totally embedded yet. But based on what I’ve read and what I’ve seen, that’s gonna happen sooner rather than later. And it’s really, really important that we teach our students that, “No, you’re not just gonna use this, this tool to cheat, but you can use this tool to help you become a more creative student.”
Jennifer Roberts (00:12:50):
This is the use case in my classroom. Can I talk about that? You ready for that?
Eric Cross (00:12:53):
Please.
Jennifer Roberts (00:12:54):
OK.
Eric Cross (00:12:54):
Please.
Jennifer Roberts (00:12:55):
So my ninth graders are writing a comparative analysis essay, where I took them to the student art gallery and I made them pick two pieces of completely unknown student art and take notes on it, so they could go back and write this essay. And as soon as we got back to class, I said, can ChatGPT write this for you? And they all kind of froze ’cause I didn’t tell them what ChatGPT was. And they weren’t sure if they were allowed to know or not. And finally one of them kind of bravely raised his hand and said, “No.” And I said, “Why not?” And he said, “Well, the AI hasn’t seen the art. How can it write an essay about art when the art is completely original that we just went and looked at?” I said, “It’s almost like I planned it that way, isn’t it?” And they laughed nervously. And then I said, “Does that mean it can’t help us with this assignment?” And they said, “Well, no — of course it can’t help us, because it has not seen the art.” And I said, “Well. …” And I open ChatGPT, and I typed in what they were trying to do: “I need to write a comparative analysis essay comparing two pieces of student art on these reasons. And I need to choose which one did it better, basically. Can you help me with an outline?” and ChatGPT produced a lovely outline. And I looked at that with my students and we looked at it together and I said, “This is what it gave us. Would this be helpful to you?” And they’re like, “Yeah, that would be helpful to us.” So we — to be clear here, I was the only one using ChatGPT in the room. They were not actually using it. We were using it together. I copied and pasted the outline that it gave us and put it in their learning management system where they could access it so they could use the outline that the robot provided, and then they could use that to make their own writing better. So then I let them write for a little while, and, after they’d written for a little while, I said, “Does anybody wanna let me share your first paragraph with ChatGPT and see what it thinks of how you’re doing?” And a brave student raised his hand and we took his paragraph and we put it in ChatGPT, and it spit back advice. We said, “This is what I have so far for my first paragraph. Do you have any advice for me?” And we gave it the writing, and the first piece of advice it gave back was very generic, you know, “Add a hook,” you know, like kind of thing. But after that, it started to get more specific about things he was actually doing in his writing. And it started to give him some feedback. And we looked at that together as a class. And I said, “Does any of that feedback help you?” And he said, “Oh yeah, absolutely. I’m gonna go add some revisions to my paragraph.” And other students did too. They looked at the feedback he got and used that to improve their writing. And so everybody went and revised. And I said, “Look, if you take what the robot gives you and you copy and paste it, and you turn it in as your own work, it’s gonna get flagged for plagiarism. And that’s not gonna go well. But if it gives you writing advice the same way I would give you writing advice, and you decide that advice is good, and you take that advice and you incorporate it into your own writing yourself, then the robot’s making you better, but you’re still the one doing your own writing.” And the writing they turned in from that assignment was, was better. It wasn’t written by ChatGPT; it was still about the student art that they found in the gallery. But I showed them a path. Like, it can help you with an outline, it can help you with feedback. Right? These are fair ways to use it that’s gonna make you better. And they really liked that. They really liked — no one had shown them that before. The idea that you don’t just take the teacher’s prompt and give it to it … like, these are new uses to students and worked well.
Eric Cross (00:16:17):
So right now, you both just laid out these ways that you’re using it. And I do this with people that I’m trying to introduce to ChatGPT or AI. ‘Cause I get excited. Anyone could write a 500-word persuasive essay on the use of color in The Great Gatsby or The Outsiders, and they can get something back within seconds. But for a lot of educators, it might feel like the sky is falling.
Donnie Piercey (00:16:43):
Oh, understandably! Understandably. I mean, that totally makes sense.
Eric Cross (00:16:49):
What would you say to them? Donnie, go ahead.
Donnie Piercey (00:16:51):
Yeah. Well, I feel like every teacher kind of goes through the same experience when they see like a generative chatbot. I mean, all these major companies are gonna start incorporating AI, the generative AI piece. And a lot of times, when they see it for the first time, two things. First they’ll say “Oh, but I’ll know that that’s not my students’ writing.” Which, frankly, I think is a good thing, because that tells me that the teachers know their students’ writing. They’ve seen them write in person. They’ve conferenced with them one-on-one. And if a student were to turn something in to me, who I know might be a struggling writer, maybe it’s not their strength, and all of a sudden they’re turning in this10-page dissertation-worthy thesis written at a PhD level, I’m like, “All right, man, you’re nine. Can we talk about where this came from?” <laugh> But I also don’t think that at like the heart, I don’t feel like kids want to cheat. I really don’t. I feel like sometimes like kids are in a situation where they’re like, “OK, I’ve got nothing left. I gotta get this assignment done.” And when those kind of things happen, that’s when we as teachers, we have those one-on-one conversations. Even when I showed my students ChatGPT and even some of the AI image-generating stuff for the first time, and I talked to them about, “What do y’all think about this?” Because, you know, they’re under 13. In my district, ChatGPT is blocked for students. Staff, we have access to it. And that’s just because one, it’s so new, and at the same time, we need to figure out, “What’s the best way they can go about using this tool?” But when we were talking about it as a class, you know, I didn’t want to ignore the elephant in the room. So I asked them, I said, “Hey, do you feel like this is something that you all would use to. …” I mean, I used the word. I said “cheat.” And to be honest, the majority of the students in my class, they were taken aback. They’re like, “What? You think we just would cheat all the time?” Right? <Laugh> And I’m like, “Oh, well good. I’m glad to know that integrity is still alive and well.” But yeah, that’s definitely my thoughts on it, as far as not only the student integrity piece — I think that that’s the big thing that you need to just bring up with your students. Because again, I like to think that I’ve seen my students write enough that if they were going to turn something in that wasn’t their voice, or it didn’t sound like them, like I could have that conversation. And don’t be surprised, too, if in the next … I don’t know, one month to a year, there’s lots of AI detectors that exist. A lot of them are these like third-party things. You can go ahead, but I would not be surprised if in the next year or so, like you start to see those AI detectors be built into Google Docs, into Microsoft Word, into even Canva. And honestly, it’s almost like a fail-safe button for teachers, that we could say “All right, this is telling me that this is 99% probably written by AI.” So you can have that conversation with a student that way.
Jennifer Roberts (00:20:03):
I mean, if you’re worried about it, Formative, right now, will even tell you if something is copy-and-pasted into the boxes that they give you for students to write in. I find that kids who cheat are desperate, you know. Especially at the high school level. They’re panic mode. And, and usually their panic comes from, “I have no idea how to even start this assignment.” And so part of what I wanna use ChatGPT for is to lower that barrier for them. Like, you’ve got an assignment, you don’t know where to start. Tell the robot, tell ChatGPT, about the assignment and ask it for a list of steps. You know, ask it for an outline. Ask it for a time management plan. I see so much tremendous potential for this to help many of my students with IEPs who have executive functioning issues.
Donnie Piercey (00:20:49):
Oh, a hundred percent, right?
Jennifer Roberts (00:20:51):
Yes, a hundred percent. This can be their personal assistant who, you know, instead of me sitting with them one-on-one and saying, you know, “This is the task you need to do, let’s break it down into these six discrete chunks,” the artificial intelligence can do that for them. And it can do that for teachers too. <laugh>
Donnie Piercey (00:21:09):
Jen, I was just thinking about, how long until we see like the phrase artificial intelligence written onto a student’s IEP? I could see that happening very, very soon.
Jennifer Roberts (00:21:20):
Right? They should be able to use that. And then, also, of course, all of its amazing beneficials for teachers. I had to completely rewrite a unit of my curriculum. I knew what I wanted to do. I had some ideas of things I wanted to put in there. And I resorted to, I went to EducationCopilot.com and typed in my stuff that I had: You know, what standards I wanted to cover, what outcomes I was hoping for mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And it generated an eight-week unit for me. And I actually told it then to go back and do it as a 12-week unit so that I’d have more stuff in there to go and cherry-pick to decide what I really wanted to do. But it gave me ideas. It gave me places to start. It saved me an hour of just brainstorming. And I don’t think that was cheating. I still got to go in and decide which ideas were valid. And I still got to … you know, I mean, I’m a teacher. Can I get accused of cheating? I don’t think that’s a thing. It’s—
Eric Cross (00:22:18):
That’s collaborating! It’s collaborating!
Donnie Piercey (00:22:20):
Collaborating! It’s a feature! It’s a feature.
Jennifer Roberts (00:22:22):
It’s Tony Stark talking to Jarvis. You know, they’re figuring it out together.
Donnie Piercey (00:22:26):
Oh, when you use the AI, Jennifer, do you call yours Jarvis? In my class we call him Jeeves. ‘Cause remember Ask Jeeves?
Jennifer Roberts (00:22:33):
I think Eric calls it Jarvis.
Eric Cross (00:22:35):
Yeah. Jarvis is gonna be the AI’s name when, when I can get that fully functioning. There are some things that you had said, I just wanna circle back on. Donnie, Jen — so what I heard was like, best intentions. The part you said about integrity and students wanting to cheat … even the mindset that we go in assuming our students, what they would want to do and assuming best intentions, really kind of frames how you look at this kind of technology. And then Jen, you kind of brought up why students cheat, and realizing that either they don’t feel equipped, or maybe it’s time management, or something else. But most people — and I believe this as an educator — most students want to learn, and they want to be able to perform and achieve. And when they cheat, it’s because they didn’t feel like they could, for whatever reason. Whether it’s it’s outside factors, whether it’s something internal, motivation, whatever it is.
Jennifer Roberts (00:23:24):
Or they were very disconnected and just didn’t care.
Eric Cross (00:23:27):
Sure.
Jennifer Roberts (00:23:27):
This is just busy work the teacher’s giving me, so I’m gonna give it very little of my time and energy. But I think, yeah, it can be that. But if the kid cares about it, if they wanna learn, they wanna learn, you know?
Eric Cross (00:23:40):
Right.
Jennifer Roberts (00:23:40):
This is the day of the internet. Any kid can learn anything they really want to learn. And we see that all the time in our classes. The kid who has zero interest in what I’m teaching in English, but he is an expert coder, and that’s what he wants to spend his time learning. He’s like, “Can I read this C++ book as my independent reading book?” And I’m like, “You know, actually, you can. Go ahead.” <Laugh>
Eric Cross (00:24:01):
Yeah. And for both of you, saying that this makes content more accessible … and I think Donnie, or Jen, you said something about IEPs. I actually put in having it write an IEP to see what would happen. I gave it a prompt for a student’s ability level and I asked it to create a plan. And then I asked it to create a rationale. And it did! And it was good! I went through and vetted it. And right now … you know, a lot of it is funny, ’cause the conversation I’m having with different teachers is kind of like the Wikipedia one. Remember when Wikipedia first got out and everyone was like trying to discourage everybody from using it, because, well, it could be changed by anybody? And now everyone’s like, “Oh, check Wikipedia, and then steal the sources, ’cause they’re already done for you.” Like, the mindset has shifted since then. And I was talking to someone and they said, “Well. …” And I said, “We can use AI, it could be a tutor, these other things. …” And they said, “Yeah, but what happens?” And then insert apocalyptic scenario. Like, what happens if you don’t have access to wifi? And it reminded me of, for some reason, cooking classes. So in the 1700s you probably had to be able to farm to be able to generate your food. Right? Like, you had to get it from somewhere. But if you take a culinary class now, you just go to the grocery store. And someone might say, “Well, but you should know how to farm, ’cause what if there was this worldwide apocalypse and nobody could go to the grocery stores?” <Laugh> And you’re like, “Well, balance of probability though.” You know, it’s like we’ve been really been living in these iterations of life, and I think this next step for some folks … like, we don’t even realize, even like something like bank statements, right? So many folks are paperless. And there’s always a what-if scenario. What if you need it and the internet goes down. But we get so used to to to technology advancing and making our lives different. This kind of seems like that next iteration. And I wanna ask you this question: Are we looking at like the next calculator? The next internet, with this tech? Or do you think it’s too early to say?
Donnie Piercey (00:26:01):
Well, I’ve seen a lot of people compare ChatGPT to a calculator. I’ve seen that pop up on social media. There’s, “Oh well, no, this is like when the calculator was invented. Everyone was up in arms about how ‘that’s not what math students should do.’ Math should be pencil and paper, math should be this.’” However, you can give a kid a calculator and you can give ’em a word problem and they can punch in all the numbers, but they could do the wrong operation or they could put the decimal point in the wrong place, ’cause the student is still the one who’s controlling what’s on the calculator. Where with AI, all you gotta do is just copy it and then paste it into the bot and it’ll spit out whatever the question asked it for. Whether it was, you know, a 500-word rationale or proof for something in geometry, or if it’s analyzing data on a chart, it’ll do all that.
Jennifer Roberts (00:27:00):
Yes. But it’s not that magical. It’s back to what Eric did with the IEP. He put in a prompt and then he knew enough to ask for a rationale and then he knew enough about IEPs to critically read the results he got and make sure they actually worked for what he needed. He had to know all that. He was an expert using it to do an expert thing. My husband’s a computer scientist; he got ChatGPT to help him write an app, and it was a new programming language to him, and he could put in the data and he could ask for things that I would’ve never thought to ask for. But because he knows the language of computer science, he knew what to ask for. And when it gave him results that were bad, he could see that, and he could say, “Yes, but do it again, but without this,” or “make this part more efficient.” He, again, knew what to ask for. So I think the generative AI is, as a partner with humans, a powerful thing. But if the human doesn’t know what they’re doing, yeah. You’re still not gonna get great results.
Donnie Piercey (00:28:03):
<laugh> And I think that’s why I’m coming at this from the elementary school perspective, right? Because in K–5 students are still learning, like, “Hey, where does the decimal point go?” They’re still learning, you know, if you’re dividing by a two-digit number, where does the first digit go, if you go in the old long-division algorithm? And so they’re still acquiring that base-level knowledge that … I don’t know, maybe this is similar to in Jurassic Park when Jeff Goldblum says, “It didn’t take any knowledge to attain,” you know, “they stood on the shoulders of geniuses,” that whole thing. Like they had to acquire the knowledge for themselves, was his whole point. And so that’s why I don’t think it’s exactly the same as the calculator. It is definitely going to change things, in a similar way that the calculator did. But to me it’s just a whole new animal. And I don’t know if it’s going to be like the next internet, Eric — if you’re gonna get little devices that have AI built into it, like a Star Wars kind of thing, like a droid or something that follows you around — all that would be kind of cool, not gonna lie. But whether it’s something that you’ll access through the internet, something that’s built into your TV, that part I don’t know. But I do know that there’s a reason why all of these apps and all these companies are investing so much — not just energy, but time and money into it. Because they’re recognizing. “OK, this really has the potential to change things.” But if used well, and used safely, to change people’s lives for the better.
Eric Cross (00:29:41):
So I definitely hear that you both agree with the statement that if AI ChatGPT was used in the classroom, it could be a force for good. And literacy development. And I wanna shift gears a bit and then come back to the AI. So with that said — and we’re gonna get into some best practices in a minute — in Science Connections right now in this season, we’re making the case for how science can do more in classrooms and in schools. And so I’m I’m curious about what both of you think about the role in science fostering a better future when it comes to AI and education. And this season we’re really talking a lot about literacy. You know, in schools, so often it’s taught in a siloed way. And Donnie, you’re doing multi-subject. Jen, you’re single-subject: English. And we’ve really been trying to make this case for how science can actually support literacy, and these skills that students are trying to develop. So we’re going a little old-school, kind of diving into your content specialty, but maybe even pre-AI, or maybe AI has a component in this. But Don, maybe we’ll start with you. How has science been a way that has been helpful for your own literacy instruction? I know you do a lot of science, because I see your Google Earth stuff and the thing you did with the solar systems back in the day. And I think —.
Donnie Piercey (00:30:54):
Oh my gosh! You remember my <laugh> … wow.
Eric Cross (00:30:58):
That was amazing!
Donnie Piercey (00:31:00):
We haven’t done that since the pandemic. But I had my students go out, and using Google Earth, we built a scale model. Each of the students partnered up and they planned out on Google Earth a scale model of the solar system. They picked an object from around their house and we talked about like, “Don’t pick something bigger than a beach ball, or else, you know, your Neptune’s gonna end up like 10 miles away.” But you know, they just picked like a small ball, like a basketball, soccer ball, something like that. Or football, for international friends. And then we calculated the size of every other planet. And then on Google Earth, using their front lawn as where the sun was, then we went and we calculated where other planets would be, and then we actually drove to those locations and like held up the objects that would represent Neptune, Jupiter, Saturn, and all that. But it was a lot of fun.
Eric Cross (00:31:59):
And is that still accessible? ‘Cause I know you have some websites that you put resources out there.
Donnie Piercey (00:32:03):
Yeah. Yeah, I can … I wanna say on my Resources page — Resources.MrPiercey.com — I’ve got a link on there to a couple of student examples that I can share. And if not, when we get off this call, I’m gonna go on and put them on there <laugh> so people can find it. I’ll even throw on there just the assignment itself. So if you wanted to copy that and do that with your students, you could.
Eric Cross (00:32:27):
Donnie, the reason why I brought that up is because I saw that you had posted that or shared it a long time ago, and I just thought it was the coolest thing that you could totally do with middle-school students or high-school students. Jen, when I became a teacher, you said, “We’re all teachers of literacy.”
Jennifer Roberts (00:32:43):
<laugh> Yeah. I think we forgot to tell them that I was one of your professors.
Eric Cross (00:32:47):
Yes. <Jennifer laughs> One of the people who’ve definitely influenced and shaped my teaching. And that statement has never left my mind: that we’re all teachers of literacy. And I want to ask you, at the high-school level, how can science educators, or how can science — how have you seen it, or how does it, support literacy, when it’s done right?
Jennifer Roberts (00:33:09):
Like I said, I think we’re all teachers of literacy, but I think literacy is bigger than just reading and writing. I don’t think someone is literate if they can’t talk somewhat knowledgeably about what’s happening with climate change. I don’t think someone’s literate if they don’t know what’s going on in the world. And I think so much of what’s going on in the world has to do with science. We’re doing that all the time. If I could teach English just by giving kids articles about science, things to read, that would make my day. Right? We would never read another piece of fiction again. It would all be, you know, what’s happening to the ice sheet in Greenland. My students thrive on reading non-fiction. And then whenever that non-fiction touches on science is even more interesting. And whenever I can get them writing about data, particularly their own data that they collected, I think that’s building those science literacy skills as well. So I think science and English blend together very, very well. I think the literacy aspects of that are fantastic. There are more subject-specific vocabulary words, advanced vocabulary words, in science than any other discipline. And I don’t see why those shouldn’t come up in English as well. You know, my seniors will do a unit at the end of the year on the new space race. Unless I replace it with a unit about generative AI, which I’m seriously considering doing, ’cause I think they really need to learn about bias in AI algorithms and things like that. And I would like to have them read a whole bunch about that stuff. And I wanna give them the open letter that all those CEOs signed that said that AI research should slow down, and make them part of that live conversation about what’s happening in that field. So science comes into that. You know, when we read Into the Wild, we start talking about a whole bunch of scientific concepts. And when it rains in Southern California, we pull up weather maps and look at radar and talk about that and how that works.
Donnie Piercey (00:34:59):
That’s like once every 10 years, Jen? <Laugh>
Jennifer Roberts (00:35:02):
Well, actually, this year it rained a lot. It rained a lot in San Diego. Which is actually very high-interest for them. ‘Cause they wanna know, is it gonna be raining at lunchtime?
Eric Cross (00:35:12):
Jen, you said something … you have your students writing about data?
Jennifer Roberts (00:35:16):
Oh yeah.
Eric Cross (00:35:17):
Can you tell me more about that?
Jennifer Roberts (00:35:19):
So, this is something we’ve done with the ninth grade team for a long time now, is writing about their own data. So it started with a unit about stereotypes and stereotype threat. And they would collect data individually and then they would enter that data into a Google form and then we would give them the spreadsheet of the aggregate data from the whole ninth grade. And then we morphed that unit into one about academic honesty, and they filled out a survey at the beginning of the unit about their feelings about academic honesty and about experiences with academic honesty and cheating and homework and things like that. And then we would do the unit. We’d do all the readings in the unit. And they’d have these “aha” moments about things that were happening at other schools. And then at the end of the unit, we would give them back their own aggregate data and ask them to write about whether or not academic honesty was an issue at our school. And then to support that answer with evidence from their own dataset. So they had that spreadsheet to comb through and figure out, you know, where am I gonna stand on this? We give them the multiple-choice questions we gave them as the graphs, in Google Slides, so that they could write about them and talk about them, too. So yeah, getting kids to write about data. And the the sentence frames we gave them were sentence frames out of, They Say, I Say, from the chapter on writing about science. And <laugh> as they write this stuff, they’re like, “I feel so smart writing this way.” And I’m like, “I know, ’cause you’re writing about big important topics!” Right? And writing about their own data come to think of it is another great way to make an assignment both very personal to them, but also make it ChatGPT-proof, you know, if you’re looking for something that kids can’t just hand to the robot, the robot doesn’t have that data set.
Eric Cross (00:37:08):
Absolutely. And Donnie, at the elementary level, do you, do you make connections between science and literacy? In your class? You talked about with math, definitely with the solar system, but now, I’m curious, what are your newer projects? What have you been working on lately?
Jennifer Roberts (00:37:23):
What’s up now, Donnie?
Eric Cross (00:37:24):
Yeah, what are you doing?
Donnie Piercey (00:37:25):
Oh, man. Well, let me think. I’m just trying to think of some fun projects that we’ve done this year. Science that we can tie in Literacy and also some student creation. Just recently we had a … so I’ve wanted to expose my students to famous scientists that weren’t just white dudes from Europe. So for this year, what I did — and I actually used AI for this — I went into ChatGPT and I asked for 64 famous scientists and it listed them all off. And then I asked it, like, how many of these were white? And I think it said like 61 of them. You know, it had like Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and a couple of other … I didn’t know who they were. So I’m like, “All right, so we need to make this more diverse and make this more equitable.” ‘Cause you know, with the student population in my classroom, try to find equal representation to make sure they can see themselves in some of these scientists. So, eventually got it narrowed down to where I had about 64 scientists. Half are women, half are men from all continents except Antarctica. I assigned these scientists to my students. Some got two; some got three. And their assignment was to go and one, do some individual research on this person, find out what they were famous for, what they were most well-known for, turn it actually into a persuasive piece, where I said, “Hey, you’re gonna have one slide.” And I’ll tell you why I gave him one slide in a minute. On that one slide, you’ve gotta convince the person who sees it that this scientist is the most important scientist since the dawn of creation. I said, “You could use images, text — I don’t care if they were famous for something that you didn’t even understand what it was. It’s a persuasive piece. You’re 10. Go all out. Add gifs, do that whole thing.
Eric Cross (00:39:21):
This is awesome.
Jennifer Roberts (00:39:21):
I wanna do this project.
Donnie Piercey (00:39:23):
And if you picked up on the number 64, and I did this in March, so what we did was throughout the weeks of March Madness of the women’s and men’s NCAA tournament, whenever a game was going on, we had another round of voting. I just paired ’em up. I was gonna like seed them, like 1 to 64 — that’s just way too much work for me <laugh>. So I just kind of did random kind of thing. But all the students had to do — they just saw the slides side-by-side, and the only question they had was, “Based on what you see here, who is the most important scientist? This person or this person?” And it eventually came down to Carl Sagan going up against Marie Curie.
Eric Cross (00:40:04):
OK, that’s a good matchup.
Donnie Piercey (00:40:06):
Yeah, well, the Marie Curie slide, they just liked the radium piece. So they added like some green glowing gifs. And I said, “Guys, it doesn’t always grow glow green.” But whatever. Anyway, eventually Carl Sagan, in case you wanted to know, according to the 10-year-olds in my classroom, is the most important scientist in the history of the world. So I don’t know if I agree with that per se — I think maybe Newton or somebody else might have had something else to say about it — but fun assignment. It was a unique way to expose my students to a bunch of ideas. I remember the student that I assigned Newton, the only thing that that she knew about Isaac Newton was “Didn’t he get hit in the head with an apple?” And I said, “Well, not exactly, I think you might have read or maybe seen too many like old-school cartoons or whatever.” But she ended up doing some research. She’s like, “Oh, I’ve heard of that before! That equal and opposite reaction thing.” Didn’t know what it meant. I had another student that just got really … you know, if you’ve ever been on one of those YouTube kicks where it’s just, you go like nine levels deep onto like, “What does this theorem mean?” Student sits in back of my classroom, I walked by one day and he’s just watching something on like the fifth dimension and what it might be. And I said, “Oh, your scientist got you started on that.” So definitely was a lot of fun. Unique way to combine reading, writing, but also expose my students to some ideas. And we’re definitely gonna do it again. I’ve actually done this assignment before. I picked 64 random elements on the periodic table. But their only slide that they have to make is “What’s your element? What is it used for? And then, why is this the most important element since the dawn of creation?” <Laugh> And, you know, there’s always that student that gets hydrogen. They’re just like “Sweet!” Right? They get excited about that one. <laugh>
Eric Cross (00:41:59):
Explosions.
Donnie Piercey (00:42:00):
Yeah. But then, for that kid who likes a challenge, or that student with the “gifted” label, you give them, like, einsteinium or palladium. Some of the more challenging ones. And they go all out with this. I didn’t use AI for that one, but it was kind of fun, and I figured it’d be neat to share an idea that another teacher could try.
Eric Cross (00:42:20):
Well you probably have at least two teachers right now that are gonna go and try that. And we’re both looking at you. So.
Donnie Piercey (00:42:24):
Go for it.
Eric Cross (00:42:25):
Thanks for that idea. I’m imagining my students coming in with jerseys with “neon.”
Donnie Piercey (00:42:29):
Oh yeah. <laugh>
Eric Cross (00:42:30):
“Neon” on it. Just all ’80s out.
Donnie Piercey (00:42:33):
The game behind it, too, is you tell kids — again, this is just so the 10-year-olds in my class don’t get their feelings hurt — but I say, “Hey, and if your element gets knocked out, you just have to start cheering for whoever beats you in the tournament.” So by the end, you kind of got half the class cheering for one and half the class cheering for whatever.
Jennifer Roberts (00:42:53):
So the only thing I got outta that whole story that I’ve got for you is, as a child I met Carl Sagan. That’s all I got.
Donnie Piercey (00:43:02):
For real?
Jennifer Roberts (00:43:02):
For real.
Donnie Piercey (00:43:03):
So did he talk with that cadence and tone?
Jennifer Roberts (00:43:06):
Yes.
Donnie Piercey (00:43:06):
Like in real life? Wow.
Jennifer Roberts (00:43:07):
Yes. My father was one of the cinematographers on the original Cosmos. And I got to go to the set a few times.
Donnie Piercey (00:43:14):
That’s incredible!
Jennifer Roberts (00:43:15):
I did not appreciate what I was seeing as a child. But as an adult, I’m like, “That was cool. I was there.”
Donnie Piercey (00:43:20):
“You can see my shadow off in the distance.”
Jennifer Roberts (00:43:23):
I mean, maybe that’s part of why I’ve always had an interest in science. I’ve always had fantastic science teachers. Every science teacher I ever had was amazing.
Donnie Piercey (00:43:31):
I credit mine to Mr. Wizard. I don’t know if you ever watched Mr. Wizard and Beakman’s World?
Eric Cross (00:43:35):
I remember Mr. Wizard. Yep. Yep. I definitely remember Mr. Wizard, Beakman’s World, all those. That was on Nickelodeon back in the day. I had to get up early to watch that one. But there’s a YouTube video—
Donnie Piercey (00:43:44):
Six am!
Eric Cross (00:43:44):
<laugh> It was! It was super-early! But there was one, Don, I don’t know if you’ve seen this on YouTube, but it said “Mr. Wizard Is Mean,” and it’s just clips of when he’s—
Donnie Piercey (00:43:56):
Yelling at kids!
Eric Cross (00:43:56):
Chastising. Or being really direct. It’s just one after another.
Donnie Piercey (00:44:02):
He always asked ’em a question and if the kid, you know, didn’t answer it right, he’d be like, “Well, you’re not right, but you’re wrong.” You know, whatever. <Laugh>
Eric Cross (00:44:14):
I have to make sure I’m not subconsciously saying Mr. Wizard quotes when I’m talking in the classroom, when things are happening. But yeah, that video’s hilarious. So I just want to bring us back to AI, and ask this question: Do you think science has a special role to play when it comes to teaching kids about AI responsibly? Does science have a special role in that?
Jennifer Roberts (00:44:36):
I think the responsible piece of AI I wanna teach my students about is the part about the bias in the algorithms and the bias in the training. And I want them to understand how it works, well enough to make informed decisions about how it impacts their lives.
Donnie Piercey (00:44:56):
Hmm.
Jennifer Roberts (00:44:57):
Because I do have concerns about a tool that was trained on the internet. And the answers it gives you is the average of the internet. And do we trust the internet? And the answer from kids is always, “Well sorta, no.” <Laugh> So I want them to understand the social science behind that.
Donnie Piercey (00:45:18):
Yeah. And just along that same point, having the students recognize that just because, you know, you copy-and-paste a question in, the answer it spits out might not always be correct. So, teaching them that just like you would with a source that you find about a topic that you’re researching, you’ve gotta fact-check.
Jennifer Roberts (00:45:44):
It’s just like being a good scientist. A good scientist wouldn’t always accept a single result or the first result. You know, you would look at multiple angles. You would try things different ways. Last week I took the article my seniors were reading about victim compensation after 9-11, and in front of them, I gave ChatGPT, I said, “Are you familiar with this article by Amanda Ripley? And ChatGPT came back and said, “Oh yes, this was written in the Atlantic in 2020 and it’s about these things, blah, blah blah.” And my students looked at that and went, “That’s not the article we read.” And I said, “I know. It got it wrong. That’s amazing!” Yeah. And I was so happy that it got it wrong! ‘Cause I wanted them to see that happen.
Donnie Piercey (00:46:21):
And I guess one of the big science questions there, or one of the big science components there, is that idea of inquiry. Right? It’s almost like you have to teach students how to ask those deep questions about what AI spits out.
Eric Cross (00:46:35):
All of those tips are great. And it leads me to this last question I want to ask. New teachers that are out there — it actually doesn’t even matter; new teachers, experienced teachers, all of us are kind of new at different levels of this race. We’re all kind of starting it together. I mean, it hit mainstream. We’re all getting exposed to it. You all really dive into it. When tech comes out, I know you two really like, “OK, how can we use this to transform education and do awesome things for kids?”
Donnie Piercey (00:47:04):
Usually, when new tech comes out, “How can this make my life easier?” is usually the question. Yeah.
Jennifer Roberts (00:47:09):
“How can I save myself time with this?” Yes.
Donnie Piercey (00:47:11):
“How can this result in me watching more TV and you know, less grading,” sometimes.
Eric Cross (00:47:16):
And I start there like you, but then I end up more time that I fill with another project. And I need to learn how to stop doing that. I’m like, “Oh! I got more free time! … to go take on this other task.”
Jennifer Roberts (00:47:28):
Oh, all of my tech adoption is driven by “how can I work less?”
Eric Cross (00:47:32):
So you’re you’re talking to a new teacher, teacher’s getting exposed to this, they’re starting the school year or they’re just getting their feet wet with it. What advice would you give them about AI, incorporated into content or even just best practices? Where you’re at right now in your own journey, and someone’s asking you about it —what would you share with ’em? And Jen, I want to start with you.
Jennifer Roberts (00:47:53):
So, the first thing I did is I was in the middle of grading, you know, 62 essays from my seniors about Into the Wild, when ChatGPT became a thing last November. And I wanted to see what would happen. So the first thing I did was take the prompt that I had given my students and gave it to ChatGPT, ’cause I had just graded a whole bunch of those essays and my brain was very attuned to what my rubric was doing and what I was expecting as the outcome. So I could take what ChatGPT gave me as that quote unquote “essay” and evaluate it critically. And I was ready to do that. So my first advice is take something you’re already asking students to do and ask ChatGPT to do the same thing. So that as you look at the student results, you can compare that to what ChatGPTgives you. If what you’re finding is that ChatGPT can generate something that would earn a decent grade from you, you might need to change that assignment. And it doesn’t need to be a big change, but it might need a tweak or something, so that it, it does rely on the student voice, the students to do something more personal. I’m finding very helpful in my classroom is having my kids do projects where they are recording themselves on — I like Flip. So they’re writing a scene together and they’re having to record the scene together. And I’m emphasizing more of the speaking roles than the writing roles necessarily. So yes, first, take something you’re already doing, paste in to ChatGPT, see what the results are, see how that fits with what your students are doing, and then do that for every assignment you give and just sort of see what comes out of that, and see which assignments are failing and which assignments are working. ‘Cause that’s gonna give you a sense, when you do see one of those results from your students, you’ll be able to recognize it. But it’ll also help you tweak your assignments and decide, “How can I make this a little more original or a little bit more authentic for my students?” And if the robot, if the AI, can’t generate a response, what could the AI do that would be helpful to your students? Would be my next question. So can you use the AI to help them generate an outline? Can you use the AI to help them generate a list of steps to help them get started? And when you’re comfortable enough doing that by yourself, then don’t be afraid to open it in front of your class. If it’s not blocked at your school site, which I hope it’s not. Because I think the advantage goes to kids who have access to this in the long run, or at least see what it is and know what it is. Right? Because if a kid graduates from school without knowing that AI exists, they’re not gonna be prepared for what they face out in the world. So give them a chance to see you using it. Model effectively using it. I have a blog post about that. I just wrote it. LitAndTech.com. You can check that out. “Introducing 9th graders to ChatGPT.” How it went, right? There’s a chart there you can have. It’s my very first draft of this, but it seems to be very popular. So, you know, show students how it can be used as their mentor. If I can’t come read your paragraph because I have 36 kids in my classroom and I cannot stop and read everybody’s first paragraph, can you, if you want to, give your first paragraph to ChatGPT and ask for advice? And will that advice be helpful to you? So showing students how it can be used responsibly is, I think, something every teacher should be doing right now. And don’t hold back just because you’re afraid you’re gonna be teaching them what this is. They know what this is. Right?
Donnie Piercey (00:51:13):
They know what it is.
Jennifer Roberts (00:51:13):
Especially if you teach high school. They know what it is. I’ve had parents thank me for showing them how to use it responsibly. You know, this can actually be a really useful tool, but if you’re trying to make it do your work for you, it will probably fail you. If you’re trying to use it to help you do your work, it will probably be helpful. Sort of the way I’m breaking it down for them at this point. You want the great metaphor? The great metaphor is if you build a robot and send it to the top of a mountain, did you climb that mountain? No. If you build a robot and ask it to help you get to the top of the mountain, and you and the robot go together, did you climb that mountain? Yes.
Eric Cross (00:51:53):
I like that. I’m thinking through this. I’m processing that now.
Donnie Piercey (00:51:57):
Me too.
Eric Cross (00:51:59):
Yeah. I just imagine a robot holding my hand climbing Mount Everest and I’m like, “Yeah, I did it.”
Donnie Piercey (00:52:04):
If I got a robot though, like I would have to dress it like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2. Like I would just have to.
Eric Cross (00:52:10):
Of course.
Donnie Piercey (00:52:10):
Of course.
Eric Cross (00:52:13):
Donnie, same question. Advice. Teachers getting immersed into it. Tips. What would you say?
Donnie Piercey (00:52:20):
So, I would definitely agree with everything that Jen said. Just, if anything else, to familiarize yourself with it. Almost like pretend like it’s a student in your classroom and it’s answering questions, just so that way you can see what it can do. And you’re kind of training yourself, like, “Oh, well, if I ever need examples, exemplars.” If you’re in a writing piece and you don’t wanna sit there and write out four different types of student responses — you know, advanced writer, beginning writer, whatever — great way to to do that is you just—
Jennifer Roberts (00:52:48):
Oh yeah. We did that.
Donnie Piercey (00:52:48):
—copy the prompt in and give a beautifully written piece that a fifth grader would be impressed with. Boom. It’ll do it for you. In my classroom, the way that I approach it is I kinda look at AI as almost like this butler that I don’t have to pay. That if I need it to do something for me, it’s just bookmarked. I can click it. And I mean, sometimes I just talk to it like it’s a person. And it’s almost like, in the chat window, I’m just rambling at it, what I’m trying to do. And it’s almost like I’m talking to a coworker, and I’m trying to hedge out some ideas for a lesson. Simple example: For a science lesson, if you’re trying to come up with … let’s say you’re a fifth-grade — or, sorry, I teach fifth grade. Say you’re a seventh-grade science teacher. And you’re trying to teach the students in your class about Newton’s third law of motion. You know, every action [has an ] equal and opposite reaction. Look around your room. See what you have. Maybe look around and you’re like, “All right, I got a whiteboard, microscope, I’ve got magnets, a cylinder. …” And you just copy all this stuff into ChatGPT. Say, like, “Hey, I have all of these items. Cotton balls, peanut butter, whatever.” And say, “I’m trying to teach students Newton’s third law of motion. Give me some ideas of some ways I could teach it using some of these materials.” And it’ll do it! It’ll give you like five to 10 ideas!
Jennifer Roberts (00:54:15):
And then tell it what your students are into. Like, my students are really into basketball. Can you work that into this lesson?
Donnie Piercey (00:54:21):
Yeah! They’re into the Avengers! Hey, find some way to tie Spider-Man into this. You know, that was a pun that didn’t go so well. But, you know <laugh> figure out some way that you could incorporate this and it’ll do it. And Eric, like you said, it won’t be perfect. Right? But if anything else, if you’re a starting teacher and you’re trying to brainstorm ideas — try it.
Eric Cross (00:54:44):
And Donnie, as you were saying that, I was thinking — first, I imagined Spider-Man shooting cotton balls with peanut butter all over them — and then my mind went to having students have these items, like you were saying. And then they create labs, working alongside AI. To do inquiry. To create a lab about something, and then going and performing and collecting data. OK, that’s — now I wanna go do that tomorrow!
Donnie Piercey (00:55:10):
Listen, it is so easy to do. If you have an extra computer in your classroom. … We were talking about Jarvis and Iron Man and Tony Stark earlier. Make a new chat in ChatGPT. Tell it, “I want you to pretend that you are Tony Stark. Only answer questions as if you are Tony Stark.” Or “Pretend you’re Jarvis.” Whatever. “Stay in character the whole time. I’m going to have sixth grade students come up to you and ask you questions about science or forces of nature, and only answer questions like you’re Iron Man.” And guess what? You keep that station in your classroom. Students are working on a project — you know, in elementary school, a lot of times we’ll have that, “ask three before me” — you’re supposed to ask three friends before you go and bug the teacher. Well, maybe one of those “three before me” can be that little computer station, where they go up and ask Tony Stark a question, and then it answers them as Jarvis or Iron Man. I mean, we’re really just scratching the surface with all this AI stuff. And as more and more companies and more and more creatives are gonna start to realize everything that it can do, we’re gonna start to see it more and more. And hopefully we as teachers can really figure out how to use this tool to, of course, help students, but also help them be creative and explore and learn on their own.
Eric Cross (00:56:35):
That’s amazing. And just both of you are just dropping gems right now. And I wanna wrap up by saying — and I’ve said this before on earlier podcasts I’ve done — but at this phase in my life, the people that I’m the biggest fans of are teachers. And it’s true. I don’t mean that in a cliche way. When I watch celebrities and things like that, when I watch professional sports, that doesn’t fill me the way it used to when I was a kid. At this point, as a professional, I get inspired by other educators who are just doing awesome things. And when I think about educators who are doing that, you two are on that list of people that make me better. And when I get better, I can do better things for my kids. And so, one, I want to thank you for staying in the classroom and continue to support students. They’re so lucky to have you both. The second thing I wanted to say is, Jen, I wanna start with you. Where can people — and I know we said at the beginning — but where can people find the stuff that you put out? You got blogs, your social, your book.
Jennifer Roberts (00:57:28):
I got lots of social. Twitter, I’m JenRoberts1 on Twitter. And then my blog is LitAndTech.com. And then I’m on lots of the new social too, the Mastodons, the Spoutables, the Posts — those kinds of things — as just Jen Roberts, because I got in early and I got my real name without a 1. And there was some other one I’m on recently that I’ve forgotten about. But there’s lots of ’em. They’re fun. And I’m Jen Roberts. You can find me there.
Donnie Piercey (00:57:56):
And I’m SergeantPepperD on AOL, if anyone’s interested.
Eric Cross (00:58:00):
If you wanna hit Donnie up on AIM. <Laugh>
Donnie Piercey (00:58:03):
SergeantPepperD.
Jennifer Roberts (00:58:04):
You know, speaking of rock stars and people who do amazing things, I did write a blog post about using ChatGPT in the classroom, but I hear Donnie wrote a whole book.
Eric Cross (00:58:13):
Oh yeah. So, Donnie! Donnie, that’s a great segue. Thanks Jen. Donnie, how do people find out more? And can you tell us about this book you wrote, that’s coming out in the summer?
Donnie Piercey (00:58:22):
Yeah, so the book I wrote is called 50 Strategies for Integrating AI Into the Classroom. It’s published by Teacher Created Materials. They reached out to me. They had seen some of the stuff that I was doing, not just with ChatGPT, but also some image-generating AI stuff. You know, I got featured on Good Morning America, which was kind of cool. And they saw that and they said, ‘Hey, that looks really neat.” Reached out to me and asked me to write a book. And the idea behind the book, that launches this summer, it’s just 50 ideas, 50 prompts, different things that, as a classroom teacher, that you can do. So, you know, I think there’s so many AI books that are out there now. A lot of them are big ideas, which I think are important. Definitely important discussions that need to be, have around, the ethics of AI. What’s the role that AI should play in the classroom. But I just wanted to write a book, kind of like the discussion that, that Jen and I were just having, which is like, “Can we just share a whole bunch of ideas, different things that we could try with our students?” So definitely check it out. And I appreciate you giving me a shout-out too. That was cool, Eric. Thank you.
Eric Cross (00:59:35):
Of course. Definitely. And Donnie, your Twitter is again. …
Donnie Piercey (00:59:39):
Oh, @MrPiercey, M R P I E R C E Y.
Eric Cross (00:59:44):
Follow Donnie. Follow Jen. Tons of stuff on there. Both of you, thank you so much. For your time, for talking about students and how we can take care of them, science, literacy, AI. I hope we can talk about this again. I feel like even if in just six months, we might be saying different things. In a year, the landscape might completely change. And that makes it really fun. But thank you both for being on the show.
Jennifer Roberts (01:00:04):
Thank you for having us, Eric.
Donnie Piercey (01:00:05):
Thank you so much, Eric. We appreciate it, bud.
Eric Cross (01:00:10):
Thanks so much for listening to my conversation with Jen Roberts and Donnie Piercey. Jen Roberts is a veteran English teacher at San Diego’s Point Loma High School and author of the book Power Up: Making the Shift to 1:1 Teaching and Learning. You can keep up with her at LitAndTech.com. And Donnie Piercey is a fifth-grade teacher from Lexington, Kentucky. He hosts the podcast Teachers Passing Notes. Stay up-to-date with him at Resources.MrPiercey.com. And let us know what you think of this episode in our Facebook discussion group, Science Connections: The Community. Make sure you don’t miss any new episodes of Science Connections by subscribing to the show, wherever you get podcasts. And as always, we’d really appreciate it if you can leave us a review. It’ll help more people and AI robots find the show. You can find more information on all of Amplify’s shows on our podcast hub, Amplify.com/hub. Thanks again for listening.
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Meet the guests
Jen Roberts is a Nationally Board Certified high school English teacher with 25+ years of experience teaching Social Science and English Language Arts in grades 7-12. She has had 1:1 laptops for her students since 2008 and is the co-author of Power Up: Making the Shift to 1:1 Teaching and Learning. A Google for Education Certified Innovator since 2011, Jen was named the CUE Outstanding Educator in 2022. Her interests include literacy instruction, standards based grading, and leveraging Google tools to make her teaching more efficient and effective.
Donnie Piercey, the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, is a fifth-grade teacher in Lexington, Kentucky. With a passion for utilizing technology to promote student inquiry, learning, and engagement, he has been teaching since 2007. In addition to being in the classroom, he runs a podcast, Teachers Passing Notes that is produced by the Peabody Award winning GZMShows, and holds several recognitions, including a National Geographic Fellowship to Antarctica in 2018. His most recent work in Artificial Intelligence has not gone unnoticed, earning him multiple appearances on Good Morning America, the Associated Press, and PBS. His upcoming book, “50 Strategies for Integrating AI in the Classroom” published by Teacher Created Materials, is written for educators looking for practical classroom approaches to using AI. All told, Donnie has been invited to keynote and present at schools in thirty-three states and on five continents.
About Science Connections
Welcome to Science Connections! Science is changing before our eyes, now more than ever. So…how do we help kids figure that out? We will bring on educators, scientists, and more to discuss the importance of high-quality science instruction. In this episode, hear from our host Eric Cross about his work engaging students as a K-8 science teacher.
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Welcome to Grade 2
Amplify Science California is so effective you can cover 100% of the NGSS in half the time of other programs.
You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing all you need is:
- 66 days per year
- 2 lessons per week
- 45 minutes per lesson
What students learn
Lauren Learner loves science. Watch this video to find out what she learns in second grade. >
When you’re ready:
- Find a summary of each unit below including each unit’s student role and anchor phenomenon.
- Click on the orange “See how the unit works” link to download a helpful Unit Guide. These guides make great companions to busy reviewers looking for a big-picture understanding of how each unit works.
Unit 1
Plant and Animal Relationships
Student role: Plant scientists
Phenomenon: No new chalta trees are growing in the fictional Bengal Tiger Reserve in India.
Unit 2
Properties of Materials
Student role: Glue engineers
Phenomenon: Different glue recipes result in glues that have different properties.
Unit 3
Changing Landforms
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: The cliff on which Oceanside Recreation Center is situated appears to be receding.
How teachers teach
Tom Teacher feels confident delivering 3-D instruction with our resources by his side. Watch this video to learn more. >
When you’re ready:
- Scroll down and take a closer look at your classroom resources.
- Click on the orange links below each component to see grade-specific samples.
Classroom Slides
These customizable PowerPoints are available for every lesson of the program and make delivering instruction a snap with visual prompts, colorful activity instructions, investigation set-up videos and animations, and suggested teacher talk in the notes section of each slide.
Teacher’s Reference Guide
Available digitally and in print, our unit-specific reference guides are chock full of helpful resources, including scientific background knowledge, planning information and resources, color-coded 3-D Statements, detailed lesson plans, tips for delivering instruction, and differentiation strategies.
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Materials Kits
Our kits include enough non-consumable materials to support a class of 36 students and enough consumable items to support 72 students. In other words, each kit can last two years! Plus, our unit-specific kits mean you just grab the tub you need and then put it all back with ease.
Student Books
Our award-winning Student Books include content-rich nonfiction and informational texts designed to introduce concepts and also deepen understanding. Books are read to, with, and by students with ample scaffolding and support provided by the teacher in whole-class, small-groups, and student pairs.
Practice Tools
Our digital Practice Tools feature easy-to-use drag-and-drop and data-entry activities that support the practice of important SEPs like sorting, modeling, or visualizing information. Practice Tools can be used as a whole group, in small groups, or with a partner.
Consumable Notebooks
Available for every unit, our Student Investigation Notebooks contain instructions for activities and space for students to record data and observations, reflect on ideas from texts and investigations, and construct explanations and arguments.
Mystery Science
Our exclusive partnership with Mystery Science means you get our NGSS core curriculum plus two years of free access to Mystery Doug and his extensive library of captivating videos that deepen students’ understanding of each unit’s phenomenon.
Coming Soon
Unlike other publishers, we don’t make you wait until your next adoption to get the latest and greatest from Amplify. We’re always launching new and exciting features. What’s more, we’ll push them out to you even after you adopt us!
Navigating the program
Watch this video showing you how to navigate our digital platform. Then following the instructions below. >
- Click the orange button below to access the platform.
- Choose the resources you’d like to review.
- Pick your grade level from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down to find additional grade-level resources.
A closer look at grades 6–8
Amplify Science is based on the latest research on teaching and learning and helps teachers deliver rigorous and riveting lessons through hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools that empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists.
In the 6–8 classroom, this looks like students:
- Collecting evidence from a variety of sources.
- Making sense of evidence in a variety of ways.
- Formulating convincing scientific arguments.
Is your school implementing the domain model? Click here.
Program structure
Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities. As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon.
It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science to teach less, but achieve more. Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our 6–8 program to address 100% of the NGSS in fewer lessons than other programs.
Scope and sequence
Every year our grades 6–8 sequence consists of 9 units, with each unit containing 10–19 lessons. Lessons are written to last a minimum of 45-minutes, though teachers can expand or contract the timing to meet their needs.
Unit types
Each unit delivers three-dimensional learning experiences and engages students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, while also serving a unique purpose.
In grades 6–8, there are three types of units:
- One unit is a launch unit.
- Three units are core units.
- Two units are engineering internships.
Launch units
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of Amplify Science. The goal of the Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year, including argumentation, active reading, and using the program’s technology. For example, rather than taking the time to explain the process of active reading in every unit in a given year, it is explained thoroughly in the Launch unit, thereby preparing students to read actively in all subsequent units.
Core units
Core units establish the context of the unit by introducing students to a real-world problem. As students move through lessons in a Core unit, they figure out the unit’s anchoring phenomenon, gain an understanding of the unit’s disciplinary core ideas and science and engineering practices, and make linkages across topics through the crosscutting concepts. Each Core unit culminates with a Science Seminar and final writing activity.
Engineering Internship units
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. Students figure out how to help those in need, from tsunami victims in Sri Lanka to premature babies, through the application of engineering practices. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Units at a glance
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Weather Patterns
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Phase Change
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature. Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Chemical Reactions
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Populations and Resources
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed.
Harnessing Human Energy
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
Light Waves
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Natural Selection
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
Evolutionary History
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Resources
Inspiring the next generation of Arkansas scientists, engineers, and curious citizens
Amplify Science is a proven effective core curriculum designed for three-dimensional, phenomena based learning that provides an immersive experience for students.
Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify.
Grounded in Research
UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, the authors behind Amplify Science, developed the Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize approach, and gold standard research shows that it works. Our own efficacy research is pretty exciting, too.
Instructional model
The Amplify Science program is rooted in the proven, research-based pedagogy of Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize. Here’s how each element works:
DO
First-hand investigations are an important part of any science classroom, and Amplify Science has students getting hands-on in every unit, from building models of protein molecules to experimenting with electrical systems.
TALK
Student-to-student discourse and full class discussions are an integral part of the program. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful oral scientific argumentation, all while fostering a collaborative classroom environment.
READ
Students read scientific articles, focusing their reading activities on searching for evidence related to their investigation and, importantly, on asking and recording questions as they read through fascinating texts on 21st-century topics.
WRITE
Following real-world practices, students write scientific arguments based on evidence they’ve collected, making clear their reasoning about how a given piece of evidence connects to one of several claims.
VISUALIZE
By manipulating digital simulations and using Modeling Tools to craft visualizations of their thinking—just as real scientists and engineers do—students take their learning far beyond the confines of what they can physically see in the classroom in an exciting and authentic way.
Explore the digital Teacher’s Guide
When you’re ready to review, click the orange button below and use your provided login credentials to access the Amplify Science Digital Teacher’s Guide.
If you need login credentials, contact your local Arkansas Account Executive, Marty Pitts, mpitts@amplify.com.
Instructional samplers
Resources to support your review
- What’s so phenomenal about phenomena? – ebook
- Phenomena in Grades K–5
- Phenomena in Grades 6–8
- Student Books in grades K–5
- Literacy-rich science instruction in grades K–5
- Active Reading in Grades 6–8
- Engineering in Amplify Science
- Program structure for grades K–5
- Program structure for grades 6–8
- Scope and Sequence for grades K–5
- Scope and Sequence for grades 6–8
What’s included
Flexible resources that work seamlessly together:
Science articles
The middle school science articles serve as sources for evidence collection and were authored by science and literacy experts at the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Student Investigation Notebooks
Available for every unit, the Student Investigation Notebooks provide space for students to:
- Record data.
- Reflect on ideas from texts and investigations.
- Construct explanations and arguments.
Available with full-color article compilations for middle school units.
Digital student experience
Students access the digital simulations and Modeling Tools, as well as lesson activities and assessments, through the digital student experience. Students can interact with the digital student experience as they:
- Conduct hands-on investigations.
- Engage in active reading and writing activities.
- Participate in discussions.
- Record observations.
- Craft end-of-unit scientific arguments.
Teacher’s Guides
Available digitally and in print, the Teacher’s Guides contain all of the information teachers need to facilitate classroom instruction, including:
- Classroom Slides.
- Detailed lesson plans.
- Unit and chapter overview documentation.
- Differentiation strategies.
- Standards alignments.
- In-context professional development.
Hands-on materials kits
Hands-on learning is at the heart of Amplify Science. Each unit kit contains:
- Consumable and non-consumable hands-on materials.
- Print classroom display materials.
- Premium print materials for student use (sorting cards, maps, etc.)
Scope and Sequence
Remote and hybrid learning support
Amplify provides a remote learning solution called Amplify Science @OnDemand. Intended to make extended remote learning and hybrid learning easier, Amplify Science @OnDemand includes two useful options for continuing instruction: @OnDemand Videos and @OnDemand Units. These videos also provide embedded professional development for teachers as well as opportunities for students to review a lesson, if needed.
Amplify Science @OnDemand Videos are recordings of real Amplify Science teachers teaching the lessons. For those teachers who are unable to meet synchronously with their students, the recorded lessons are a great way to keep their students on track and engaged with Amplify Science while at home. These videos will be produced for all K–5 units, and for the first four units of each 6–8 grade level. Their release will be rolling, beginning in August.
Amplify Science@OnDemand Units are modified versions of Amplify Science units, strategically designed to highlight key activities from the program. The @OnDemand Units take significantly less instructional time than the complete Amplify Science program and allow students to engage with science at home. @OnDemand Units will be developed for all Amplify Science K–8 units. Each @OnDemand unit includes:
- Teacher overviews explaining how to use the materials, including suggestions for enhancing the @OnDemand Units if synchronous learning or in-class time with students is available.
- Overviews to send home to families.
Student materials are available in two formats:
- @OnDemand Slides (PDF/PPT) + Student Sheets (PDF) for students with access to technology at home.
- Downloadable @OnDemand Packets (PDF) for students without access to technology at home.
Download the remote and hybrid learning guide.
Looking for help?
Powerful (and free!) pedagogical support
Amplify provides a unique kind of support you won’t find from other publishers. We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans.
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials.
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs.
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more.
To reach our pedagogical team, use our live chat within your program, call (800) 823-1969, or email edsupport@amplify.com
Timely technical and program support
Our technical and program support is included and available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, through a variety of channels, including a live chat program that enables teachers to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.
For your most urgent questions:
- Use our live chat within your program.
- Call our toll-free number: (800) 823-1969.
For less urgent questions:
Contact your Arkansas representative:
Marty Pitts
Senior Account Executive
mpitts@amplify.com
(214) 945-5544
Mark Ramos
Inside Account Executive
mramos@amplify.com
(737) 308-4822
A closer look at grades 6–8
Amplify Science California is based on the latest research on teaching and learning and helps teachers deliver rigorous and riveting lessons through hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools that empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists.
In the 6–8 classroom, this looks like students:
- Collecting evidence from a variety of sources.
- Making sense of evidence in a variety of ways.
- Formulating convincing scientific arguments.
Is your school implementing the domain model? Click here.
Program structure
Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities. As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon.
It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science California to teach less, but achieve more. Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our 6–8 program to address 100% of the California NGSS in fewer lessons than other programs.
Scope and sequence
Every year our grades 6–8 sequence consists of 9 units, with each unit containing 10–19 lessons. Lessons are written to last a minimum of 45-minutes, though teachers can expand or contract the timing to meet their needs.
Unit types
Each unit delivers three-dimensional learning experiences and engages students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, while also serving a unique purpose.
In grades 6–8, there are three types of units:
- One unit is a launch unit.
- Three units are core units.
- Two units are engineering internships.
Launch units
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of Amplify Science California. The goal of the Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year, including argumentation, active reading, and using the program’s technology. For example, rather than taking the time to explain the process of active reading in every unit in a given year, it is explained thoroughly in the Launch unit, thereby preparing students to read actively in all subsequent units.
Core units
Core units establish the context of the unit by introducing students to a real-world problem. As students move through lessons in a Core unit, they figure out the unit’s anchoring phenomenon, gain an understanding of the unit’s disciplinary core ideas and science and engineering practices, and make linkages across topics through the crosscutting concepts. Each Core unit culminates with a Science Seminar and final writing activity.
Engineering Internship units
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. Students figure out how to help those in need, from tsunami victims in Sri Lanka to premature babies, through the application of engineering practices. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Units at a glance
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Weather Patterns
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Phase Change
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
Chemical Reactions
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Populations and Resources
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed.
Harnessing Human Energy
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
Light Waves
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Natural Selection
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
Evolutionary History
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Resources
Peoria K–5 Science Review
Montana 6–8 Science
Peoria 6–8 Science Review
Welcome, Middle School Science Reviewers!
Thank you for taking the time to review Amplify Science for grades 6–8. On this site, you’ll find all the resources you need to learn more about this engaging and robust NGSS program. Plus, we make it easy to experience our program firsthand with a live demo account that features our interactive learning platform.
Overview
With Amplify Science, students don’t just passively learn about science concepts.
No matter where your students are learning—whether at school or at home—they take on the role of scientists and engineers to actively investigate and make sense of real-world phenomena. They do this through a blend of cohesive and compelling storylines, hands-on investigations, collaborative discussions, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools.
Listen to these educators share how the program empowers students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers every day.
EdReports All-Green
Amplify Science for grades K–8 has been rated all-green by EdReports.
Program structure
Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities.
As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon. It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science to address 100% of the NGSS in fewer days than other programs.
Unit Sequence
Our lessons follow a structure that is grounded in regular routines while still being flexible enough to allow for a variety of learning experiences.
In fact, our multi-modal instruction offers more opportunities for students to construct meaning, and practice and apply concepts than any other program. What’s more, our modular design means our units can be flexibly arranged to support your instructional goals.
Unit 1
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
Unit 2
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
Unit 3
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
Unit 4
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
Unit 5
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
Unit 6
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Unit 7
Weather Patterns
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Unit 8
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Unit 9
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Unit 1
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Unit 2
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Unit 3
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Unit 4
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Unit 5
Phase Change
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart
Unit 6
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
Unit 7
Chemical Reactions
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Unit 8
Populations and Resources
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
Unit 9
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed.
Unit 1
Harnessing Human Energy
Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
Unit 2
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
Unit 3
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
Unit 4
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
Unit 5
Light Waves
Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
Unit 6
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Unit 7
Natural Selection
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Unit 8
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domains: Engineering Design, Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
Unit 9
Evolutionary History
Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Access program
Watch the video to the right plus the ones below showing you how to navigate our digital platform. When you’re ready, follow the instructions below to log into our live demo account.
- Click the orange button below to access the platform.
- Choose the resources you’d like to review.
- Pick your grade level from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down to find additional grade-level resources.
Navigating an Engineering Internship (Part 1)
This Part 1 video demonstrates how Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Navigating an Engineering Internship (Part 2)
This Part 2 video demonstrates how to use the Futura Workspace to manage the immersive experience of the Engineering Internship units. This includes guidance on how to create student groups, how to review student work, and how to send students targeted feedback on their designs.
Navigating our reporting tools
Teachers of Amplify Science grades 6–8 have access to a feature called Reporting. When unit assessments are administered digitally, the Reporting tool enables teachers to analyze student performance on the unit assessments.
Differentiation post-assessment
Every core unit of Amplify Science 6–8 features a formal formative assessment opportunity at the mid-way point, or “Critical Juncture,” of the unit, which provides an important opportunity for differentiation.
Resources
Get in touch
Have questions? Bob McCarty is standing by and ready to help.
Robert “Bob” McCarty
Senior Account Executive
(435) 655-1731
rmccarty@amplify.com
Sweetwater 6–8 Science
A closer look at grades 6–8 (domain)
Amplify Science is based on the latest research on teaching and learning and helps teachers deliver rigorous and riveting lessons through hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools that empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists.
In the 6–8 classroom, this looks like students:
- Collecting evidence from a variety of sources.
- Making sense of evidence in a variety of ways.
- Formulating convincing scientific arguments.
Is your school implementing the domain model? Click here.
Program structure
Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities. As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon.
It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science to teach less, but achieve more. Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our 6–8 program to address 100% of the NGSS in fewer lessons than other programs.
Scope and sequence
Every year our grades 6–8 sequence consists of 9 units, with each unit containing 10–19 lessons. Lessons are written to last a minimum of 45-minutes, though teachers can expand or contract the timing to meet their needs.
Unit types
Each unit delivers three-dimensional learning experiences and engages students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, while also serving a unique purpose.
In grades 6–8, there are three types of units:
- One unit is a launch unit.
- Three units are core units.
- Two units are engineering internships.
Launch units
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of Amplify Science. The goal of the Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year, including argumentation, active reading, and using the program’s technology. For example, rather than taking the time to explain the process of active reading in every unit in a given year, it is explained thoroughly in the Launch unit, thereby preparing students to actively read in all subsequent units.
Core units
Core units establish the context of the unit by introducing students to a real-world problem. As students move through lessons in a Core unit, they figure out the unit’s anchoring phenomenon, gain an understanding of the unit’s disciplinary core ideas and science and engineering practices, and make linkages across topics through the crosscutting concepts. Each Core unit culminates with a Science Seminar and final writing activity.
Engineering Internship units
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. Students figure out how to help those in need, from tsunami victims in Sri Lanka to premature babies, through the application of engineering practices. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Units at a glance
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Earth, Sun, and Moon
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Weather Patterns
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
Populations and Resources
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: What caused the mysterious crash of a biodome ecosystem?
Natural Selection
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
Evolutionary History
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Harnessing Human Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
Phase Change
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart.
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
Chemical Reactions
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Light Waves
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
Resources
A closer look at grades 6–8 (domain)
Amplify Science California is based on the latest research on teaching and learning and helps teachers deliver rigorous and riveting lessons through hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools that empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists.
In the 6–8 classroom, this looks like students:
- Collecting evidence from a variety of sources.
- Making sense of evidence in a variety of ways.
- Formulating convincing scientific arguments.
Is your school implementing the integrated model? Click here.
Program structure
Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities. As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon.
It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science California to teach less, but achieve more. Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our 6–8 program to address 100% of the California NGSS in fewer lessons than other programs.
Scope and sequence
Every year of our grades 6–8 sequence consists of 9 units, with each unit containing 10–19 lessons. Lessons are written to last a minimum of 45 minutes, though teachers can expand or contract the timing to meet their needs.
Unit types
Each unit delivers three-dimensional learning experiences and engages students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, while also serving a unique purpose.
In grades 6–8, there are three types of units:
- One unit is a launch unit.
- Three units are core units.
- Two units are engineering internships.
Launch units
Launch units are the first units taught in each year of Amplify Science California. The goal of the Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year, including argumentation, active reading, and using the program’s technology. For example, rather than taking the time to explain the process of active reading in every unit in a given year, it is explained thoroughly in the Launch unit, thereby preparing students to actively read in all subsequent units.
Core units
Core units establish the context of the unit by introducing students to a real-world problem. As students move through lessons in a Core unit, they figure out the unit’s anchoring phenomenon, gain an understanding of the unit’s disciplinary core ideas and science and engineering practices, and make linkages across topics through the crosscutting concepts. Each Core unit culminates with a Science Seminar and final writing activity.
Engineering Internship units
Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. Students figure out how to help those in need, from tsunami victims in Sri Lanka to premature babies, through the application of engineering practices. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.
Units at a glance
Geology on Mars
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Planetary geologists
Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Plate Motion
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Rock Transformations
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Geologists
Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Earth, Sun, and Moon
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Astronomers
Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Weather Patterns
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic meteorologists
Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Earth’s Changing Climate
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Climatologists
Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Domain: Earth and Space Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Civil engineers
Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Microbiome
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Microbiological researchers
Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy.
Metabolism
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Medical researchers
Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time.
Metabolism Engineering Internship
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Food engineers
Phenomenon: Designing health bars with different molecular compositions can effectively meet the metabolic needs of patients or rescue workers.
Traits and Reproduction
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biomedical students
Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents.
Populations and Resources
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased.
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Ecologists
Phenomenon: What caused the mysterious crash of a biodome ecosystem?
Natural Selection
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Biologists
Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time.
Natural Selection Engineering Internship
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Clinical engineers
Phenomenon: Designing malaria treatment plans that use different combinations of drugs can reduce drug resistance development while helping malaria patients.
Evolutionary History
Domain: Life Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Paleontologists
Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.
Harnessing Human Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Launch
Student role: Energy scientists
Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions.
Force and Motion
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned.
Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Mechanical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents.
Magnetic Fields
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Physicists
Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected.
Thermal Energy
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Thermal scientists
Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school.
Phase Change
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Chemists
Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart.
Phase Change Engineering Internship
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Engineering internship
Student role: Chemical engineering interns
Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature.
Chemical Reactions
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Forensic chemists
Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield.
Light Waves
Domain: Physical Science
Unit type: Core
Student role: Spectroscopists
Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world.
Resources
Welcome to the Amplify Science classroom showcase!
The Amplify Science K–8 curriculum blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists.
Discover inspiring classroom examples and teacher resources from educators nationwide who are bringing Amplify Science to life.
Want to showcase your classroom?
We love seeing how you bring learning to life! Share photos to inspire fellow educators.
Classroom Wall
Every Amplify Science unit includes a Classroom Wall that grows and evolves as students build understanding. Here are a few examples from real Amplify Science classrooms!
Grades K–5
Credit: Shannon Cox, Sabine Parish School District, LA
Credit: Rebecca Steindler O’Brien, P.S. 051 The Elias Howe School, NY
Credit: Veeh Nguyen, Belle Chasse Academy, LA
Credit: Brittney Gooden, LaSalle Parish, LA
Credit: Buffy Scott Marcantel, Maplewood Elementary, LA
Credit: Chrissy Campenni, Wyoming Area School District, PA
Credit: Christy Flynn, Grant Parish School Board, LA
Credit: William Howard Taft Elementary School, OH
Credit: Cristina Cullen, Glendora Unified School District, CA
Grades 6–8
Credit: Erica Fernandez, Elsinore Middle School, CA
Credit: Sheyenne Cahalan, Knox County R-1 School District, MO
Credit: Joshua Ryan Abellera, Fertitta Middle School, NV
Credit: Karen Wynne, Portola Middle School, CA
Credit: Crystal Cuaron Baker, Las Cruces Public Schools, NM
Credit: Natalia Seoane, Heritage Intermediate School, CA
Credit: Lisa Anglim, Elizabeth Ustach Middle School, CA
Credit: Maria Katsanos, New York City Public Schools, NY
Credit: Lindsey Hampf, Upper Township School District, NJ
Credit: Anna Radef, Cadwallader Middle School, NV
Credit: Jessica Kruger, Gardner International, MI
Credit: Albert Hutchful, Clark County School District, NV
Credit: Kim Eich, Anoka-Hennepin Public School District 1, MN
Credit: Shannon Cox, Sabine Parish School District, LA
Credit: Anna Radef, Clark County School District, NV
Hands-on science activities
Students engage in hands-on science activities throughout Amplify Science. These photos capture curiosity in action and showcase real students exploring, building, testing, and investigating in Amplify Science classrooms.
Grades K–5
Grade 1: Animal and Plant Defenses
Designing animal defenses during the Animal and Plant Defenses unit
Credit: Veeh Nguyen, Belle Chasse Academy, LA
Grade 1: Light and Sound
Exploring shadows for the Light and Sound unit
Credit: Brittney Gooden, LaSalle Parish, LA
Grade 1: Light and Sound
Investigating vibrations during the Light and Sound unit
Credit: Jennifer Baker, Rapides Parish School Board, LA
Grade 1: Light and Sound
Puppet show for the Light and Sound unit
Credit: Anna Dardar, Rapides Parish School Board, LA
Grade 2: Changing Landforms
Exploring sand samples for the Changing Landforms unit
Credit: Rebecca Steindler O’Brien, P.S. 051 The Elias Howe School, NY
Grade 3: Balancing Forces
Exploring forces with magnet tricks for the Balancing Forces unit
Credit: Maureen Patt, Broad Street Elementary School, NH
Grade 3: Inheritance and Traits
Imaginary clay creatures to investigate traits in real organisms for the Inheritance and Traits unit
Credit: Maribel Ramos, Esperanza Academy Charter School, PA
Grade 3: Inheritance and Traits
Students showing off their knowledge for the Inheritance and Traits unit by creating their own drawings.
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 3: Inheritance and Traits
Determining which offspring belong to which set of parent pigeons based on similar traits for the Inheritance and Traits unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 3: Inheritance and Traits
Using celery as a real-life example of how the environment can impact traits, during the Inheritance and Traits unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 3: Environments and Survival
Modeling how ruby-throated hummingbirds with different traits meet their need for food during the Environments and Survival unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 3: Weather and Climate
Learning the best ways to collect, measure, and compare rainfall data for the Weather and Climate unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 4: Energy Conversions
Students created their own simple systems using a solar panel, alligator clips, wires, an LED light, and a buzzer during the Energy Conversions unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 4: Energy Conversions
Designing wind turbines during the Energy Conversions unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 4: Vision and Light
Planning vision models for the Vision and Light unit
Credit: Maribel Ramos, Esperanza Academy Charter School, PA
Grade 4: Vision and Light
Writing a scientific explanation for the Vision and Light unit
Credit: Chrissy Campenni, Wyoming Area School District, PA
Grade 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
Investigating daytime and nighttime during the Patterns of Earth and Sky unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 5: Patterns of Earth and Sky
Hands-On Flextension: Making artifacts for the Patterns of Earth and Sky unit
Credit: Adriana Barrera, J.W. Bishop Elementary School, TX
Grade 5: Modeling Matter
Flavor ingredients test for the Modeling Matter unit
Credit: Kevin Butters, Grand Island Public Schools, NE
Grade 5: Modeling Matter
Testing ingredients to make salad dressing during the Modeling Matter unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 5: Modeling Matter
Discussing solubility and attraction during the Modeling Matter unit
Credit: Cristina Cullen, Glendora Unified School District, CA
Grade 5: The Earth System
Designing freshwater systems for The Earth System unit
Credit: Sandi O’Brien, Parkmead Elementary School, CA
Grade 5: Ecosystem Restoration
Building terrariums for the Ecosystem Restoration unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 5: Ecosystem Restoration
Leaves and Roots game board from the Ecosystem Restoration unit
Credit: Cyndi Thompson Crouch, Smithville School District, MO
Grade 5: Ecosystem Restoration
Food web models with students’ favorite stuffed animals for the Ecosystem Restoration unit
Credit: Halli Trinker, Boonton Township School District, NJ
Grades 6–8
Grade 6: Microbiome
Drawing scale models of microorganisms for the Microbiome unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 6: Microbiome
Hands-On Flextension: Investigating microscopic evidence of life for the Microbiome unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 6: Metabolism
Investigating chemical reactions with water, phenol red, baking soda, and calcium chloride for the Metabolism unit
Credit: Jessica Kruger, Gardner International Magnet School, MI
Grade 6: Metabolism
Introducing the classroom body systems model for the Metabolism unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 6: Metabolism Engineering Internship
Healthy bars for the Metabolism Engineering Internship
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 6: Thermal Energy
Simulating hot and cold water during the Thermal Energy unit
Credit: Whitney Stewart, Rapides Parish School Board, LA
Grade 6: Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
Playing the Ocean Currents game for the Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 6: Weather Patterns
Modeling a warm air parcel for the Weather Patterns unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 7: Geology on Mars
The Flowing Water Model for the Geology on Mars unit
Credit: Kim Eich, Anoka-Hennepin Public School District 1, MN
Grade 7: Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Modeling a tsunami wave for Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 7: Chemical Reactions
Investigating substance changes for the Chemical Reactions unit
Credit: Ashlie Beals Arkwright, SCAPA at Bluegrass, KY
Grade 7: Populations and Resources
Conducting a yeast experiment during the Populations and Resources unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 8: Harnessing Human Energy
Investigating energy systems for the Harnessing Human Energy unit
Credit: Lisa Anglim, Elizabeth Ustach Middle School, CA
Grade 8: Force and Motion
Investigating forces on different objects for the Force and Motion unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 8: Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Designing an Egg Drop Model during the Force and Motion Engineering Internship
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 8: Magnetic Fields
Hands-On Flextension: Exploring electrostatic force for the Magnetic Fields unit
Credit: Melanie Wenger, Lincoln Park Middle School, NJ
Grade 8: Light Waves
Students observing that light can cause materials to heat up, change color, and move for the Light Waves unit
Credit: Gloria Davis, Panama-Buena Vista Unified School District, CA
Grade 8: Light Waves
Students discover what happens to light as it travels for the Light Waves unit
Credit: Gloria Davis, Panama-Buena Vista Unified School District, CA
Grade 8: Light Waves
Students participating in a fishbowl discussion to share observations and evidence for the Light Waves unit
Credit: Gloria Davis, Panama-Buena Vista Unified School District, CA
Grade 8: Earth, Moon, and Sun
Paper model of the Moon’s phases for Earth, Moon, and Sun unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
Grade 8: Evolutionary History
Hands-On Flextension: Reconstructing owl pellet skeletons for the Evolutionary History unit
Credit: Elizabeth DeBoo, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, MO
What’s included in our Spanish language arts curriculum
Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts® (CKLA) is available in both English and Spanish. Amplify Caminos al Conocimiento Esencial, our robust Spanish language arts companion for grades K–5, supports multiple teaching models, including dual language immersion and transitional classrooms.
Year at a glance
The program’s intentional Knowledge Sequence from K–5 connects knowledge and vocabulary within a grade level and across grade levels, for deeper reading comprehension and preparation for college, career, and life. Instead of “activating prior knowledge,” Amplify Caminos helps you build it in the classroom from day one, for every child, expanding each student’s knowledge base long before they transition to reading to learn.
Units & domains at a glance
Each Knowledge Domain in grades K–2 and Unit in grades 3–5 varies in the number of days based on instructional purpose. Just as with our top-rated Amplify CKLA program, the Amplify Caminos materials engage and delight young learners with resources that are both appealing and original.
Domain
Nursery Rhymes and Fables/Rimas y fábulas infantiles
Start learning about literature with these classic Mother Goose rhymes.
Domain
The Five Senses/Los cinco sentidos
Learning about the body starts with learning about how we experience the world.
Domain
Stories/Cuentos
Learn about the parts of a book and some of the stories that go in one.
Domain
Plants/Plantas
Discover the lifecycle of plants and the history of George Washington Carver.
Domain
Farms/Granjas
Now we know how plants make their food… but what about animals?
Domain
Native Americans/Los nativos americanos
Who were the first people in America? A look at the Lenape, Wampanoag, and Lakota Sioux.
Domain
Kings and Queens/Reyes y reinas
To understand fairy tales, it’s best to first understand royalty.
Domain
Seasons and Weather/Las estaciones y el tiempo
The study of natural cycles continues with the weather and why it happens.
Domain
Columbus and the Pilgrims/Colón y los peregrinos
A look at the first contact between Europe and the Americas, and some of its results.
Domain
Colonial Towns and Townspeople/Las colonias y sus habitantes
Before the War for Independence, how did the town and country depend on one another?
Domain
Taking Care of the Earth/Cuidar el planeta Tierra
We only have one Earth—here are some ways to help care for it.
Domain
Presidents and American Symbols/Presidentes y símbolos de los Estados Unidos
Start learning about government through the lives of five presidents.
Domain
Fables and Stories/Fábulas y cuentos
Learn some of the key elements of a story through classic fables.
Domain
The Human Body/El cuerpo humano
What are germs? What are the organs? And what does it all have to do with health?
Domain
Different Lands, Similar Stories/Tierras diferentes, cuentos similares
A world tour of storytelling, and the stories that stay the same across the world.
Domain
Early World Civilizations/Antiguas civilizaciones del mundo
Rivers, farming, writing, and laws: just what does it take to build a civilization?
Domain
Early American Civilizations/Antiguas civilizaciones de América
What will we find in the great temples of the Aztec, Maya, and Inca civilizations?
Domain
Astronomy/Astronomía
How the Earth relates to the moon, the sun, and the rest of the planets.
Domain
The History of the Earth/La historia de la Tierra
Just what lies beneath the Earth’s surface, and what can it teach us about the past?
Domain
Animals and Habitats/Los animales y sus hábitats
A look at the connection between how animals live and where they make their homes.
Domain
Fairy Tales/Cuentos de hadas
What do fairy tales have to teach us about how stories are told?
Domain
A New Nation: American Independence/Una nueva nación: la independencia de los Estados Unidos
The story of the birth of the United States out of the 13 Colonies.
Domain
Frontier Explorers/Exploradores de la Frontera
The story of the journey west from the newborn U.S.A. to find the Pacific Ocean.
Domain
Fairy Tales and Tall Tales/Cuentos de hadas y cuentos exagerados
Learn about exaggeration and characterization on the frontier.
Domain
Early Asian Civilizations/Antiguas civilizaciones de Asia
Tour the world of classical civilization, starting with India and China.
Domain
Ancient Greek Civilization/La civilización griega antigua
The tour continues with the philosophy and politics of Greece.
Domain
Greek Myths/Mitos griegos
Dive deep into the characters and storytelling of classic myths.
Domain
The War of 1812/La guerra de 1812
Learn about America’s “Second War for Independence.”
Domain
Cycles in Nature/Los ciclos de la naturaleza
Introducing the natural cycles that make our lives possible.
Domain
Westward Expansion/La expansión hacia el oeste
Why did pioneers go west? What happened to the people who were there?
Domain
Insects/Los insectos
Lay the grounds for animal classification by looking at solitary and social insects.
Domain
The U.S. Civil War/La Guerra Civil de los Estados Unidos
Begin to grapple with U.S. history’s central crisis over slavery.
Domain
Human Body: Building Blocks and Nutrition/El cuerpo humano: componentes básicos y nutrición
A deeper dive into the digestive system and the nutrition process.
Domain
Immigration/La inmigración
Why did people immigrate to the United States, and what did they find here?
Domain
Fighting for a Cause/Luchar por una causa
How people can do extraordinary things to make the world better for everyone.
Unit 1
Classic Tales: The Wind in the Willows/Cuentos Clásicos: El viento en los sauces
A deep dive into character, theme, and POV in classic stories from around the world.
Unit 2
Animal Classification/La clasificación de los animales
How do we classify different animals by their appearance and behavior?
Unit 3
The Human Body: Systems and Senses/El cuerpo humano: sistemas y sentidos
Let’s take a closer look at how the skeleton, muscles, and nervous system all work.
Unit 4
The Ancient Roman Civilization/La civilización romana antigua
What is Rome’s greatest cultural contribution? In this unit, your students decide.
Unit 5
Light and Sound/La luz y el sonido
The science behind all the ways we see and hear the world.
Unit 6
The Viking Age/La era vikinga
An immersive narrative experience about what life was like in Viking communities.
Unit 7
Astronomy: Our Solar System and Beyond/Astronomía: nuestro sistema solar y más allá
More about our universe, including a writing project about daily life on a space station.
Unit 8
Native Americans: Regions and Cultures/Los nativos americanos: regiones y culturas
How did Native American nations change their way of life in different parts of the world?
Unit 9
Early Explorations of North America/La exploración europea de América del Norte
What was it like to sail to North America with the early European explorers?
Unit 10
Colonial America/La época colonial en los Estados Unidos
A study of the very different ways of life in the different pre-U.S. colonies.
Unit 11
Ecology/Ecología
Students keep ecologist’s journals to learn about our world and how best to protect it.
Unit 1
Personal Narratives/Narrativas personales
Read stories of personal experience… and learn to reflect on your own.
Unit 2
Empires in the Middle Ages/Los imperios en la Edad Media, parte 1 & Los imperios en la Edad Media, parte 2
Explore the medieval history of Europe and the Middle East.
Unit 3
Poetry/Poesía
Study the poetry of many nations using licensed text anthologies, and begin to write your own.
Unit 4
Eureka! Student Inventor/¡Eureka! Estudiante inventor
Transform the class into a lab for students to build and present inventions.
Unit 5
Geology/Geología
Plate tectonics, volcanoes, erosion: all the forces that shape the Earth.
Unit 6
Contemporary Fiction with excerpts from The House on Mango Street/Ficción Contemporánea con Fragmentos de La Casa en Mango Street
Explore The House on Mango Street… and write a book while doing it.
Unit 7
American Revolution/La Revolución estadounidense
Why did America seek independence? Let’s investigate the causes and effects.
Unit 8
Treasure Island/La Isla del Tesoro
How dSeek the treasure of plot in this detailed study of a classic fiction adventure.
Unit 1
Personal Narratives/Narrativas personales
Through writing and sharing their writing, students begin to identify themselves as writers.
Unit 2
Early American Civilizations/Las primeras civilizaciones americanas
Students craft a codex to explain the rise and fall of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca people.
Unit 3
Poetry/Poesía
Students close read many forms of poetry… and learn to write them.
Unit 4
Adventures of Don Quixote/Las Aventuras de Don Quijote
Was Don Quixote right to fight the windmill? In this full-length novel study, students decide.
Unit 5
The Renaissance/El Renacimiento
Exploring the art and literature of the Renaissance through the works of its masters.
Unit 6
The Reformation/La Reforma
How did the printing press transform the religion and society of Europe?
Unit 7
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream/Sueño de Una Noche de Verano de William Shakespeare
Students enter the world of Shakespeare by reading, designing, and acting out his work.
Unit 8
Native Americans/Los nativos americanos
How did the policies of the U.S. government impact Native American culture and lives?
Unit 9
Chemical Matter/Química
Students use knowledge of chemistry to solve a mystery.
Print & digital components
The program includes instructional guidance and student materials for a year of instruction, with lessons and activities that keep students engaged every day.
Component
FORMAT
Knowledge (Conocimientos) Teacher Guides (K–2)
Knowledge Strand Teacher Guides contain Amplify CKLA’s cross-curricular read-alouds and application activities, all of which are standards-based to build mastery of content knowledge and literacy skills. There is one Teacher Guide per Knowledge Domain.
Print and digital
Knowledge Image Cards (K–2)
Amplify Caminos includes Image Cards for each Knowledge Domain to bring each topic to life through vivid visuals.
Print and digital
Knowledge Flip Books (K–2)
Projectable Flip Books are provided to accompany the read-alouds in each Knowledge Domain.
Digital
Teacher Guides (3–5)
Teacher Guides for grades 3–5 units are based on content-rich topics and incorporate reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in the context of background knowledge. There is one Teacher Guide per unit.
Print or digital
Teacher Resource Site (K–5)
The program includes a one-stop-shop website for lesson projections, digital versions of all Amplify Caminos materials, lesson planning resources, multimedia (such as eBooks), and more.
Digital
Professional Learning Site (K–5)
The Professional Learning site includes training materials, best practices, and other resources to develop program expertise. Access professional development anywhere, anytime.
Digital
Component
FORMAT
Knowledge (Conocimiento) Activity Books (K–2)
Activity Books provide students with the opportunity to deepen world and word knowledge by responding to text in a diversity of ways.
Student Readers (3–5)
Student Readers serve as content-rich anchor texts for each unit. Units such as Poetry and Contemporary Fiction feature authentic texts originally written in Spanish.
Activity Books (3–5)
Activity Books in grades 3–5 provide daily opportunities for students to hone reading and writing skills within the context of each unit.
Print and digital
Explore more programs
Our programs are designed to support and complement one another. Learn more about our related programs.
Utah ELA Review for Grades PK–5
Thank you for taking the time to review Amplify’s core ELA program for PK–5. Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts® (CKLA) is a state-approved core ELA curriculum designated as a primary core program that fully meets the Science of Reading requirements outlined in SB 127.
Amplify CKLA, developed in partnership with the Core Knowledge Foundation, was designed to help teachers implement Science of Reading principles and evidence-based instructional practices. Scroll down to learn how CKLA is uniquely designed to help all your students make learning leaps in literacy.
Step 1: Program Introduction
Welcome to Amplify CKLA! Before you dive into our materials, watch the video below to learn about the big picture behind Amplify CKLA’s pedagogy.
In this video, Susan Lambert (Chief Academic Officer and host of Science of Reading: The Podocast) shares why Amplify CKLA was created, how it is built on the Science of Reading, and the impact it’s making across the country.
Step 2: Program Overview
Amplify CKLA is different for a reason. Watch the overview video below to learn about these differences and why educators love them.
In this video, you’ll get an in-depth look at the program’s overall structure and organization, the design behind our proven lessons, and the materials included to support teaching and learning.
The Amplify CKLA Program Guide also provides an in-depth view of how Amplify CKLA works, how it’s structured, and why it’s uniquely capable of helping you bring reading instruction based on the Science of Reading to your classroom.
Evidence-based design
Amplify CKLA is rooted in Science of Reading research. Mirroring Scarborough’s Rope, Amplify CKLA delivers a combination of explicit foundational skills with meaningful knowledge-building.
- In Grades PK–2, dedicated knowledge-building and explicit skills instruction are taught simultaneously through two distinct instructional strands.
- In Grades 3–5, dedicated knowledge-building and explicit skills instruction are woven together and delivered through one integrated strand.
Grades K–2 Skills and Knowledge Strands
Every day students in Grades K–2 complete one full lesson that explicitly and systematically builds foundational reading skills in the Skills Strand, as well as one full lesson that builds robust background knowledge to access complex text in the Knowledge Strand. Through learning in each of these strands, students develop the early literacy skills necessary to help them become confident readers and build the context to understand what they’re reading.
Grades 3–5 Integrated Strand
In Grades 3–5, Knowledge and Skills are integrated in one set of instructional materials. Lessons begin to combine skills and knowledge with increasingly complex texts, close reading, and a greater writing emphasis. Students can then use their skills to go on their own independent reading adventures.
Key features
For each Amplify CKLA key feature below, click the drop down arrow to learn more.
Built out of the latest research in the Science of Reading, Amplify CKLA delivers explicit instruction in both foundational literacy skills (systematic phonics, decoding, and fluency) and background knowledge in grades PK–2 with an integrated approach to explicit instruction in grades 3–5.
Review this Science of Reading toolkit to learn more about the Science of Reading best practices integrated throughout CKLA.
Amplify CKLA aligns with the instructional principles recommended by Orton Gillingham and LETRS.
- Structured–Concepts are taught through consistent routines
- Sequential–Concepts are taught in a logical, well-planned sequence
- Systematic–Phonemes are taught from simplest to most complex
- Explicit–Decoding and encoding concepts are taught directly and explicitly
- Multi-sensory–Instruction is delivered through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways
- Cumulative–Concepts are applied in decodable, connected texts with constant review and reinforcement
Watch this video to learn more!
Additionally, great reading instruction starts with helping kids develop great decoding skills. Our instruction is supported by:
- Step-by-step lessons with multi-sensory approaches, clear lesson objectives, and embedded formative assessments.
- Decodable books and student readers with ebook and audiobook versions that feature engaging plots and relatable characters.
The Science of Reading reveals knowledge as an essential pillar of reading comprehension and lifelong literacy. Hear from author Natalie Wexler and CKLA customers on edWebinar about the importance of knowledge-building in reading instruction.
Students build grade-appropriate subject-area knowledge and vocabulary in history, science, literature, and the arts while learning to read, write, and think creatively and for themselves. Our instruction is supported by:
- Knowledge builders that provide a quick overview of each domain with its key ideas.
- Interactive Read-Alouds designed to build knowledge and vocabulary.
- Content-rich anchor texts that support students as they tackle increasingly complex text and sharpen their analytical skills.
- Social and emotional learning paired with lessons in civic responsibility.
Amplify CKLA not only received an all-green rating from the rigorous evaluators at EdReports, but it was also recently recognized by the Knowledge Matters Campaign as a high-quality literacy program that excels in building knowledge. Our shared message: background knowledge is essential to literacy and learning.
Student-led reading practice should be purposeful and connected to the core. That’s why Amplify createdBoost Reading. As an optional add-on to Amplify CKLA, students have the opportunity to practice skills directly tied to the skills they’ve been working on during core reading time. Boost Reading also adapts to each student to address their personal gaps and bolsters foundational skills at a pace that supports their individual development.
Boost Reading’s collection of 40+ adaptive games target foundational reading skills and develops them in alignment with Science of Reading principles. Unlike other adaptive games, we ensure students:
- Practice the right skills at the right time. Our embedded placement tool ensures students receive the content and skill practice most appropriate for their current reading level. From there, students move through our curriculum along their own learning pathway where they encounter personalized content tailored to their evolving skill and grade levels.
- Progress along a pathway that adapts on multiple dimensions, not just one. For example, a student can work on early first-grade decoding in one game while building more advanced vocabulary knowledge in another.
- Practice skills in tandem. For example, a student is never forced to master one skill area before proceeding to the next. Instead, we offer students that opportunity to work on multiple skills concurrently.
- Feel supported with scaffolding, instruction, and practice that adapts based on student performance.
- Stay engaged by giving them immediate and clear feedback. These results are never punitive. Instead our always-positive feedback is delivered in the context of the game world and is designed to motivate students to keep trying.
Click the buttons below to learn more:
Step 3: Program Resources
Easy-to-use print materials
Amplify CKLA’s easy-to-use materials bring foundational skills and knowledge to life in the classroom.
Download the Amplify CKLA Components guide to see components by grade and watch the print materials walkthrough below.
Engaging CKLA digital experience
The top-rated content of Amplify CKLA is now live with the digital experience that enhances instruction and saves time.
With the digital experience, everything is in one place, making it easier and more engaging than ever to plan lessons, present digital content, and review student work. Click the arrows below to learn more.
With the digital experience, teachers have access to ready-to-use and customizable lesson presentation slides, complete with all the prompts from the print Teacher Guide embedded in the teacher view. As teachers deliver each lesson, students can engage with the content in one cohesive experience—through these CKLA resources: Activity Books, slides, digital components, videos, Student Readers, and more.
The innovative live review tool found in the digital experience enables you to keep an eye on all of your students as they work on drawing, recording audio, uploading and capturing images, and typing or writing in pre-placed textboxes in their Activity Pages. This dynamic tool provides countless classroom management benefits, enabling you to spot and correct common mistakes as they’re happening, praise your students for thoughtful work, and identify students who are not engaged in the task at hand. Simply put, it will give you those valuable “eyes in the back of your head” you’ve warned your students about!
The digital experience integrates with various LMSs, allowing you and your students to access Amplify CKLA with the software you’re already comfortable using.
In the Amplify CKLA student digital experience, your students have one intuitive access point to fully engage with classroom instruction. Through the Student Home, students can easily access digital lessons with slides, Activity Pages, ebooks, videos, and other interactives from one simple dashboard. Students can draw, record audio, upload and capture images, and type or write in pre-placed text boxes in their Activity Pages.
CKLA review resources
- CKLA Program Guide
- Language Studio (ELD)
- Writing Studio (Writing)
- CKLA Research Hub (Efficacy and Case Studies)
- Text complexity in CKLA
- Trade books in CKLA
- Assessments in CKLA
- Amplify Caminos (K-5 Spanish Language Arts Program)
- Amplify CKLA Video for Families and Caregivers
- Amplify CKLA Caregivers Hub
- ELA Curriculum Evaluation Tools
- Remote and hybrid learning with CKLA
- CKLA Scopes and Sequences
- Grade K Skills and Knowledge
- Grade 1 Skills and Knowledge
- Grade 2 Skills and Knowledge
- Grade 3 Integrated
- Grade 4 Integrated
- Grade 5 Integrated
Step 4: State Review Resources
- Utah State Standards Alignment K-5
- Utah Instructional Strategies and Routines
- Utah Science of Reading Evidence-Informed Core Criteria Checklist (Amplify created)
- Utah Critical Features of Tiered Literacy Interventions (featuring Boost Reading)
- Amplify ELA Technical Specifications
Step 5: Program Access
Explore as a teacher
Before logging in, watch this brief video on navigating the CKLA Teacher Platform.
Ready to explore as a teacher? Follow these instructions:
- Click the Amplify CKLA Teacher Platform button below.
- Select Log in with Amplify.
- Enter the teacher username: t1.utcklapk5@demo.tryamplify.net
- Enter the teacher password: Amplify1-utcklapk5
- Choose CKLA from the “Your Programs” menu on Educator Home.
- Select a grade level from the drop-down menu at the top of the page.
Ready to explore as a Student? Follow these instructions:
- Click the Amplify CKLA Teacher Platform button below.
- Select Log in with Amplify.
- Enter the student username: s1.utahcklapk5@demo.tryamplify.net
- Enter the student password: Amplify1-utahcklapk5
Getting Started Resources
Welcome! This page contains support for getting started with Amplify Science for New York City — including login support, materials lists, and program overviews.
Program overview
- NYC Program Guide
- Technology Requirements
- Support Channels for Core Curriculum Purchases
- Make sure you have everything you need to teach Amplify Science
Summer temporary logins
- Log in to Amplify
- Enter the username
- Enter the password
- Select the desired grade level
Grade K-5 teachers
- Username: t.nyck8@tryamplify.net
- Password: AmplifyNumber1
Grade K-5 students
- Username: s.nyck8@tryamplify.net
- Password: AmplifyNumber1
Grade 6-8 teachers
- Username: t.nyck8@tryamplify.net
- Password: AmplifyNumber1
Grade 6-8 students
- Username: s.nyck8@tryamplify.net
- Password: AmplifyNumber1
Logging in
- Classroom teachers/Administrators: Login with Amplify steps 1-3 and
steps 4-6 or TeachHub - K-5 Cluster teachers: Login with Amplify
- K-5 Students: Shared student logins with Amplify or TeachHub
- 6-8 science teacher: Login with Amplify steps 1-3 and steps 4-6 or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- 6-8 administrator: Login with Amplify or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- 6-8 students: Login with Amplify steps 1-3 and steps 4-6 or TeachHub (district preferred login method)
- Other staff (co-teachers, ICT, etc.): Administrator instructions for creating a Shared Teacher Login
- How to reset student(s) password
- How to log my class out of a shared device
- Clever class logout instructions
Materials
Looking for refill kits? Please email mkasloff@amplify.com
Materials lists
Lists of kit contents by unit
Spanish Materials lists
Lists of Spanish print kit contents by unit
Kit-level packing detail chart K-5
Kit-level packing detail chart 6-8
Unpacking your first Amplify Science classroom kit
Welcome to Amplify Science!
This site contains supporting resources designed for LAUSD Amplify Science for grades TK–8. Check back for exciting updates!
Sync Grades to Schoology – Amplify Classwork
Navigate to the Amplify Science Program Hub (video walk-through)
Share the The Caregiver Hub (Eng/Span)
ES Science Teachers
MS (6-8) Unpacking the Unit Videos
Upcoming Amplify Science PDs:
- ES (K-5) – Refer to MyPLN: (Search Amplify 24)
- MS (6-8) – Refer to MyPLN
- Click here to go back to the LAUSD homepage.
Program Introduction
Learn more about Amplify Science
Click the buttons below to explore the Amplify Science California Program Guide. You can access the full digital Teacher’s Guide from the Program Guide to explore the program.
2024-2025 Session Materials
Unit 2 Deep Dives:
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (GK)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (GK)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G1)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G1)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G2)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G2)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G3)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G3)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G4)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G4)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G5)
- Unit 2 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G5)
Unit 3 Deep Dives (G 3-5)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G3)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G3)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G4)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G4)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G5)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G5)
January 25th Elementary Onsite
Unit 3 Deep Dives (GK-2)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (GK)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G1)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 1: Preparing to Teach (G2)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (GK)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G1)
- Unit 3 Deep Dive, Part 2: Writing and Assessment (G2)
March 15th Elementary Onsite
Supplemental Materials
2026-2027 LAUSD Planning Calendars
- Kindergarten
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Grade 6 (Elementary)
- Grade 6 (Middle School)
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
Middle School Curriculum Maps
Misc. Planning Resources
Lesson Prep Videos
Unit 1
Grade 3 Lesson Prep Videos can be found in the Resources section in the Amplify Science- Elementary group in Schoology. Access code: W4PK-W466-63F5B
Grade 4 Lesson Prep Videos can be found in the Resources section in the Amplify Science- Elementary group in Schoology. Access code: W4PK-W466-63F5B
Grade 5 Lesson Prep Videos can be found in the Resources section in the Amplify Science- Elementary group in Schoology. Access code: W4PK-W466-63F5B
New Teachers – Start Here
To start using Amplify Science quickly in your classroom, check out the following onboarding videos. They cover what you need to know to get started fast, from unpacking materials to logging in and navigating the digital Teacher’s Guide.
The following videos give you a quick look into our Amplify Science classroom kits. For each grade level, we have a video for the first unit in the scope and sequence, and we show you how to unpack the kits for all the units.
Looking for help?
Technical, program and pedagogical support
Our technical, program and pedagogical support is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
For your most urgent questions (immediate help during the school day):
- Use our live chat within your program
- Call (800) 823-1969
- Email help@amplify.com
We have developed an educational support team of former teachers and administrators who provide pedagogical support for every Amplify curriculum, assessment, and intervention program. This service is completely free for all educators who are using our programs and includes:
- Guidance for developing lesson plans and intervention plans
- Information on where to locate standards and other planning materials
- Recommendations and tips for day-to-day teaching with Amplify programs
- Support with administering and interpreting assessment data and more
To reach our pedagogical team:
- Use our live chat within your program
- Call (800) 823-1969
- Email edsupport@amplify.com
Amplify Science
A new core curriculum designed from the ground up for the NGSS.
Grades 6–8 Integrated Model
- Microbiome Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism: Making the Diagnosis Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Metabolism Engineering Internship: Health Bars for Disaster Relief Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Traits and Reproduction: The Genetics of Spider Silk Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Thermal Energy: Using Water to Heat a School Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate: Cold Years in New Zealand Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Weather Patterns: Severe Storms in Galetown Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate: Vanishing Ice Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship: Rooftops for Sustainable Cities Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Geology on Mars Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion: Mystery of the Mesosaurus Fossils Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship: Tsunami Warning Systems Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Rock Transformations: Geologic Puzzle of the Rockies and Great Plains Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change: Titan’s Disappearing Lakes Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Phase Change Engineering Internship: Portable Baby Incubators Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Chemical Reactions: Mysterious Substance in Westfield’s Water Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Populations and Resources: Too Many Moon Jellies Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Biodome Collapse Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Harnessing Human Energy Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion: Docking Failure in Space Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship: Pods for Emergency Supplies Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Magnetic Fields: Launching a Spacecraft Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Light Waves: Skin Cancer in Australia Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Earth, Moon, and Sun: An Astrophotographer’s Challenge Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection: Poisonous Newts Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship: Fighting Drug-Resistant Malaria Engineering Notebook with Article Compilation
- Evolutionary History: Advising a Paleontology Museum Investigation Notebook with Article Compilation
Spanish Student Books and Student Investigation Notebooks
Welcome, Amplify Science middle school families!
Next Generation Science Standards letter
The following letter, which is also included in the program, describes the Next Generation Science Standards and how they’re reflected in Amplify Science’s middle school units. Click here to download.
Student navigation video
Watch this video for ideas on how best to support students navigating Amplify Science.
Unit Maps
Each unit in Amplify Science has a Unit Map for the teacher. This document outlines the scientific questions students come across in the unit, and how they will figure out the answers.
Download an example of a Unit Map from the Metabolism unit.
If you’re interested in looking at the Unit Maps for your student’s grade level, please contact your student’s teacher.
Simulations
In grades 6–8, students use interactive digital simulations and other apps as just one way of figuring out unit phenomena. This short video shows an example of a simulation.
Resource for back-to-school night
This presentation (available for download) provides a general overview of the Amplify Science curriculum. Your student’s teacher may have used this resource during back-to-school night.
Family homework experiences
If you’re interested in extending the Amplify Science classroom experience at home use the Scientist Profile Cards to spark discussions about careers in science and engineering!
The Amplify Science program also includes several family homework experiences that you can use with your student outside of the school day. Your student’s teacher may assign the Family Homework Experiences as the class progresses through the units, but if you’d like to explore them on your own, you can do so by clicking on the unit names below:
- Chemical Reactions
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
- Evolutionary History
- Force and Motion
- Force and Motion Engineering Internship
- Geology on Mars
- Harnessing Human Energy
- Light Waves
- Magnetic Fields
- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- Metabolism
- Metabolism Engineering Internship
- Microbiome
- Natural Selection
- Natural Selection Engineering Internship
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Phase Change
- Phase Change Engineering Internship
- Plate Motion
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship
- Populations and Resources
- Rock Transformations
- Thermal Energy
- Traits and Reproduction
- Weather Patterns
Contact us
We’re here to help you!
Have a question about Amplify Science? Visit our help library to search for articles with answers to your program questions. For additional curriculum support, contact your student’s teacher.