Science
Core Beliefs
Every student deserves a high-quality, grade-level, engaging, and affirming K-12 science experience.
Science plays a vital role in comprehending and investigating both the natural and human-designed aspects of our world.
Engaging student in grade-level elements of disciplinary core ideas, scientific and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts will foster proficient independent thinkers and skilled sensemakers.
Tier 1 Curricular Expectations
Consistent implementation of high-quality instructional materials is the first step toward ensuring every student's success. It is expected that schools and classrooms use the following materials as the foundations of classroom instruction:
Grades K-5:
Amplify Science, a comprehensive, standards-based science curriculum adopted by the Board of Education
NYSED Required Investigations
Grade 3: Circle of Life
Grade 4: Light it Up
Grade 5: Light it Up, Circle of Life, What's in the Bag?, and Cloud in a Bottle
Grades 6-8:
OpenSciEd, a comprehensive, standards-based science curriculum, top rated by EdReports.
NYSED Required Investigations
Grade 6: It's Alive
Grade 7: All Mixed Up, Cool It!, How is the Weather Up There?, and It's Alive?
Grade 8: All Mixed Up, Cool It!, How is the Weather Up There?, and It's Alive?
Grades 9-12:
Regents Science: Transitioning to the New York Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). New, NYSSLS-aligned programs are currently being selected and will be implemented in 2024 - 2025 (Biology and Earth Science) and 2025 - 2026 (Chemistry and Physics)
Elective Science Courses: Transitioning to the New York Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). Life science and Earth and space science courses will be updated and implemented in 2024 - 2025, physical science courses will be updated and implemented in 2025 - 2026.
Core Instructional Actions
The Core Instructional Actions below are high-leverage, research-based strategies that will support student achievement in this discipline. This is not an exhaustive list, but a prioritized one - they are actions and strategies we expect teachers to implement in class with students.
Core Student Practices
The Core Student Practices identified below delineate the most important disciplinary practices in which we believe students should be engaged. They are actions, practices, and types of thinking that we should see evidence of students doing in class on a regular basis.