FOSS Kit Rotation & Logistics

The OUSD K-8 science program centers around the FOSS curriculum, a research-based program from the Lawrence Hall of Science.  FOSS kits are provided to all elementary and middle school sites on a rotational basis each year. Live organisms and consumable materials will also be fully supplied. Below for details and resources related to the program. 

By centralizing the FOSS materials system, OUSD ensures that every classroom has the materials they need every trimester, every year for hands on science.

Plus, this system saves the district about $200,000 per year in replacement material costs.

SMART Center Intern Video 2019 - final.mov

FOSS Rotation - By the Numbers


Over 10,000 human hours every year to keep the system going!

Preparing for FOSS Rotation 

TK- 8 Science Teachers work alongside their site's Science Teacher Leader (STL) for site-level logistics for FOSS rotation, including making sure kits are packed and ready for FOSS rotation, assigning boxes to teachers, and electronically  ordering missing materials after rotation.We're all in this together!

Web Diagram kit stacking instructions LIFE
Web Diagram kit stacking instructions EARTH
Web Diagram kit stacking instructions

Requesting Missing or Broken Items

We know that when kids do hands-on science, consumable items get used up and sometimes materials get lost or broken. That's why OUSD is committed to replacing missing, broken, or used-up materials at no cost* to sites.

Inventory the kit within two weeks of your FOSS Rotation date. Anything missing afterwards will be the responsibility of your school. To request replacements for missing or broken items:

Replacement items will be sent to your school site within 7 working days. 

Please contact us or your Lead Science Teacher if there are any problems or questions.

*Sites are responsible for maintaining and replacing all print materials (teacher guides, student books), except in cases where new classes are added. Sites may be charged for lost boxes or for missing or damaged materials beyond regular wear and tear--based on 10+ years of data on regular FOSS kit use.

FOSS Inventory Sheets

K - Animals Two by Two - Item List

KINDERGARTEN

LIFE

K - Trees and Weather - Item List

EARTH

K - Materials and Motion - Item List

PHYSICAL

1 - Plants & Animals - Item List

1ST GRADE

LIFE

1 - Air and Weather - Item List

EARTH

1 - Sound and Light - Item List

PHYSICAL

2 - Insects & Plants - Item List

2ND GRADE

LIFE

2 - Pebbles, Sand & Silt - Item List

EARTH

2 - Solids & Liquids - Item List

PHYSICAL

3- Structures of Life - Item List

3RD GRADE

LIFE

3- Water & Climate - Item List

EARTH

3 - Motion & Matter - Item List

PHYSICAL

4- Environments - Item List

4TH GRADE

LIFE

4- Soils, Rocks & Landforms - Item List

EARTH

4 - Energy - Item List

PHYSICAL

5- Living Systems - Item List

5TH GRADE

LIFE

5 - Earth & Sun - Item List

EARTH

5 - Mixtures & Solutions - Item List

PHYSICAL