A phenomena-based science curriculum

Amplify Science is a K–8 science curriculum that blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists.

Amplify Science for grades K–8 has been rated all-green by EdReports. Read the review on EdReports.

 

Grounded in research and proven effective

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. See more of our research.

Do, Talk, Read, Write students outperform their peers.

Do, Talk, Read, Write students out-perform their peers in science content knowledge

ELLs who used Do, Talk, Read, Write outperformed their ELL peers.

Do, Write, Read, Talk students out-perform their peers in science content knowledge

Progress through the learning progression for all middle school implementations, 2017-18 school year.

What educators say

“Just looking through the Amplify Science curriculum, I’m wishing I could go back in time and learn these concepts with these resources! I love that Amplify is more focused on diving deeper into fewer concepts over the year, rather than grazing the surface of more topics.”

Lizzie Middle school teacher, KIPP charter network

What educators say

“In using this program, I have seen that my students are completely engaged and are able to visualize models of concepts using the simulations that they otherwise would not be able to visualize. The program is not about rote memory of facts—rather, it addresses the bigger picture and assesses a deeper understanding of science concepts.”

Julie Science teacher, Georgia

What educators say

“The engineering units are engaging and really helped me better understand the new standards. I love being able to walk around and talk to students as they explore solutions, make claims, and reason with their peers.”

Karla Science teacher, California

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. As The Lawrence’s first curriculum designed to address the new science standards, Amplify Science reflects state-of-the-art practices in science teaching and learning.

Our approach

Each unit of Amplify Science engages students in a relevant, real-world problem where they investigate scientific phenomena, engage in collaboration and discussion, and develop models or explanations in order to arrive at solutions.

Four students work together to perform a scientific experiment

Rooted in research

Amplify Science is rooted in the Lawrence Hall of Science’s Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize model of learning. This research-based approach presents students with multiple modalities through which to explore the NGSS curriculum.

Two middle school girls conduct a science experiment

A flexible, blended program

Amplify Science includes hands-on activities, print materials, and powerful digital tools to support online and offline teaching and learning. Highly adaptable and user-friendly, the program gives schools and individual teachers flexibility based on their technology resources and preferences.

Two middle school girls use a Student Investigation Notebook to take on the role of scientists and engineers

Students take on the roles of scientists and engineers.

In each unit, students take on the role of a scientist or engineer to investigate a real-world problem. These problems provide relevant contexts through which students investigate phenomena.

Two students collaborate on an Amplify Science project using a laptop and notebook in a bustling middle school science classroom.

Built for the Next Generation Science Standards

When we created Amplify Science, we set out to create a science program that educators can use to bring the NGSS and three-dimensional science learning to life. In using the program, students engage with science and engineering practices, figure out disciplinary core ideas, and utilize and apply crosscutting concepts in multiple modalities across thoughtful, structured lessons, all centered around engaging anchor phenomena.

Learn more about Amplify Science and NGSS

What's included

Flexible resources that work seamlessly together

Elementary Middle school
Amplify Science Student Book What My Sister Taught Me About Magnets
Amplify Science Student Book Handbook of Plants
Amplify Science Student Book Made of Matter
Amplify Science Student Book Biomimicry Handbook
Amplify Science Student Book Rocky Wonders

Student Books

Age-appropriate Student Books allow students to:

  • engage with content-rich texts
  • obtain evidence
  • develop research and close-reading skills
  • construct arguments and explanations
Amplify Science Student Investigation Notebook Balancing Forces
Amplify Science Student Investigation Notebook Patterns of Earth and Sky
Amplify Science Student Investigation Notebook Modeling Matter
Amplify Science Student Investigation Notebook Properties of Materials

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
Ecosystem Restoration digital simulation
Earth's Features digital simulation
Environments and Survival digital simulation

Simulations and practice tools (grades 2+)

Developed exclusively for the Amplify Science program, these engaging digital tools:

  • serve as venues for exploration
  • enable data collection
  • allow students to explore scientific concepts
  • show what might be impossible to see with the naked eye
Amplify Science Spinning Earth Teacher Guide
Amplify Science Spinning Earth Teacher's Guide

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
Amplify Science hands-on materials.
Amplify Science hands-on materials.
Amplify Science hands-on materials.

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.)

Explore more programs.

Our programs are designed to support and complement one another. Learn more about our related programs.