Instruction begins with a real-world phenomenon
Student questions drive investigation
Concepts emerge from explaining the phenomenon
Students complete extended, authentic projects
Focus on solving real problems or creating products
Emphasizes collaboration and application
Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate structure
Students construct understanding through investigation
Emphasizes active learning
Students design investigations
Build and defend evidence-based arguments
Incorporates peer critique and scientific discourse
Learning begins with an open-ended problem
Students research and apply concepts
Focus on solution development
Iterative design process (prototype, test, refine)
Human-centered problem solving
Encourages creativity and innovation
Students engage in authentic research
Contribute real data to scientific studies
Blends coursework with discovery
Uses coding, modeling, and simulations
Analyzes complex systems and data
Builds digital fluency in science
Centers learning on real data analysis
Develops interpretation and statistical reasoning
Emphasizes evidence-based conclusions
Focuses on interconnected systems
Highlights cause-and-effect relationships
Encourages holistic understanding
Blends science with tech, engineering, math (and arts)
Promotes interdisciplinary problem-solving yeah
Encourages innovation
Centers environmental and climate issues
Promotes stewardship and solutions
Connects science to global challenges
Organized around global problems
Integrates multiple disciplines
Emphasizes real-world impact
Uses models and simulations
Connects science evidence to policy decisions
Encourages systems-level thinking
Integrates ethics into science learning
Examines societal impacts
Promotes responsible innovation
Hands-on building and tinkering
Learning through creating prototypes
Encourages experimentation
Collaborative, critique-based environment
Emphasizes iteration and feedback
Modeled after design studios
Students contribute to real research projects
Connects classroom to community science
Builds civic engagement
Uses local environment as context
Connects science to community issues
Increases relevance and engagement
Connects science to students’ cultural backgrounds
Promotes equity and inclusion
Values diverse ways of knowing
International student collaboration
Uses digital communication tools
Explores shared global issues
Students learn alongside experts
Models authentic scientific practice
Builds professional skills
Adapts instruction using AI tools
Provides customized pacing and feedback
Supports differentiated learning
Progress based on mastery
Focus on skills and performance
Flexible pacing
Content learned at home
Class time used for experiments and application
Promotes active engagement
Uses game elements (levels, challenges, rewards)
Increases motivation and engagement
Encourages persistence
Organized around a coherent scientific storyline
Lessons build toward explaining a central idea
Strengthens conceptual connections
Emphasizes transparency and collaboration
Encourages data sharing and reproducibility
Mirrors modern scientific practice
Normalizes mistakes as part of learning
Encourages iteration and resilience
Reflects authentic scientific processes
Uses biological systems as design models
Connects science to engineering
Promotes biomimicry and innovation
Develop and present a slide show introducing one of the curricular innovations. Link the slideshow in the database
Add 3-5 thought-provoking questions to a the innovations in curriculum quiz. Make certain to add answers. For free-response answers, provide an answer in the "Answer Feedback" section. Include links to websites and videos as necessary
Take the quiz.