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Science

K-5 STEMscopes

To study science, District 70 students in kindergarten through fifth grade are using STEMscopes, an online science curriculum from Accelerate Learning, as our primary instructional resource for teaching science in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Photo of 2 Highland Middle School students measuring an item in a Science Lab

STEMscopes is built on an instructional philosophy that centers on students learning science through hands-on exploration and inquiry. Each lesson includes a series of investigations and activities to bring science to life for our students so that they can “learn by doing” and fully engage in the scientific process.

Lessons are built using the research-based “5E+IA” model, which stands for Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate,  Intervention, and Acceleration. Each one of these components of the lesson cycle features specific resources to not only support our students’ understanding of scientific concepts, but also that of our teachers. STEMscopes features many resources for our educators including embedded professional development, lesson instructions, setup videos, and an assessment bank where custom assessments can be created.

The program is strictly aligned to Illinois Science Standards and includes resources that incorporate literacy, math, music and videos, interactive tools, and a variety of assessment methods.

Photo of 4 Highland Middle School students participating in an experiment in a Science Lab


 6-8 OpenSciEd

The OpenSciEd science curriculum for grades 6–8 is designed to spark curiosity, build student agency, and strengthen classroom discourse. Each unit begins with a real-world phenomenon that engages students, prompting them to ask questions and learn more. Through hands-on investigations and collaborative sense-making, students take an active role in driving their own learning. OpenSciEd empowers students to ask questions, test ideas, and build explanations together, helping them see themselves as capable scientists. With frequent opportunities for discussion and reflection, students are actively engaged in communicating their thinking and listening to others, building deeper understanding and strong academic conversation skills along the way.

Effective science teaching and learning will mean that students will be better prepared for entrance into college and careers. The Illinois Science Standards are designed to help students acquire a deep understanding of core science and engineering content and ideas as well as experience applying that knowledge in any context.  Students will demonstrate their scientific proficiency by engaging in practices that demonstrate the ability to apply scientific concepts.