Science Curriculum (K-5)

Adapted from What is FOSS?and FOSS Conceptual Frameworks

District 97 utilizes FOSS (Full Option Science System) as the K-5 core science curricular resource. The best way for students to appreciate the scientific enterprise, learn important scientific and engineering concepts, and develop the ability to think well is to actively participate in scientific practices through their own investigations and analyses. The FOSS Program was created specifically to provide students and teachers with meaningful experiences through engaging with this active participation in scientific practices.

The FOSS Program has conceptual structure at the module and course level. FOSS has elaborated learning progressions for core ideas in science for kindergarten through grade 8. Developing learning progressions involves identifying successively more sophisticated ways of thinking about core ideas over multiple years. The modules and courses are organized into three domains: physical science, earth science, and life science. Each domain is divided into two strands, which represent a core scientific idea: matter/energy and change; dynamic atmosphere/rocks and landforms; and structure and function/complex systems.

Middle School Science (6-8)

District 97 utilizes two science resources for grades 6-8. Amplify Science is implemented as the primary instructional resource and Argument Driven Inquiry is incorporated as a supplemental resource to complement, enrich, or extend the content.

Amplify Science

Amplify Science is a phenomenon-based science resource that blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. 

Argument Driven Inquiry

Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI) includes investigations or design challenges that give students an opportunity to learn how to use the core ideas and practices of one or more STEM disciplines to understand how or why something happens to develop a solution to a problem. Students develop  disciplinary-based literacy skills as they read and evaluate information, communicate and critique ideas, and write.