FOSS works for California

On this page, see the scope of the FOSS curriculum. View the evidence of its effectiveness. And take advantage of a free offer.

Upcoming Events:

2022 CASE Conference - Palm Springs

Visit us at Booth #417 at The California Science Education Conference, hosted by the California Association of Science Educators (CASE). This is the pre-eminent science education event held annually for educators from throughout California.

October 14 -16, 2022

Palm Springs Convention Center
277 N. Avenida Caballeros
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Live CASE Workshop - Pathways for Multilingual Learners

Find out what’s new with FOSS! Join us to “do” science and “do” language through hands-on activities. Santa Barbara USD will share how they are using science as the context for their designated ELD programs. Free samples and ELD lessons!

Saturday, October 15, 2022
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM PDT

What is FOSS?

FOSS gives students the opportunity to think and act like scientists and engineers. UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science developed FOSS® Next Generation™ for California to honor the letter and spirit of NGSS. FOSS presents science the way students learn it, as they explore phenomena firsthand on a journey toward mastering the three dimensions of the Framework. It’s why FOSS is proven to measurably improve test scores in districts across the country. Why FOSS?

Try FOSS

Local districts already using FOSS:

Here are some of the schools and districts statewide that are using FOSS. To find out more, talk to your local FOSS representative.

Los Angeles Unified School District Oakland Unified Public Schools Lagunita Elementary School District Redwood City Schools Oak View Union School District Capistrano Unified School District

South Bay Union School District Salinas Union High School District Southern Kern Unified School District Sierra Sands Unified School District Santa Cruz City School District Ravenswood City School District

San Luis Coastal Unified School District Ukiah Unified School District Grass Valley Unified School District Santa Rosa Unified School District Soquel Union Elementary School District Alameda Unified School District

Los Angeles Unified School District Oakland Unified Public Schools Lagunita Elementary School District Redwood City Schools Oak View Union School District Capistrano Unified School District South Bay Union School District Salinas Union High School District Southern Kern Unified School District Sierra Sands Unified School District Santa Cruz City School District Ravenswood City School District San Luis Coastal Unified School District Ukiah Unified School District Grass Valley Unified School District Santa Rosa Unified School District Soquel Union Elementary School District Alameda Unified School District

See all districts

California Pre-K-8 Scope and Sequence

The FOSS curriculum is designed as a laddered series of experiences that cumulatively develop not just knowledge, but scientific thinking across all three NGSS dimensions.

Grades 6–8

While we suggest this middle school scope and sequence, each 4–14 week course can be used as primary or supplemental science education and taught at any grade in the 6–8 range.

Grade	Integrated Middle Grades
Grade 8	Heredity & Adaptation* ES, LS	Electromagnetic Force* PS, ES, E	Gravity & Kinetic Energy* PS, E		Waves* PS, E	Planetary Science PS, ES
Grade 7	Chemical Interactions PS, ES, E		Earth History PS, ES, LS			Populations & Ecosystems ES, LS, E
Grade 6	Weather & Water PS, ES, E			Diversity of Life LS			Human Systems Interactions* LS

PS: Physical Science content, ES: Earth Science content, LS: Life Science content, E: Engineering content

*Half-length courses

Grades Pre-K–5

Grade	Physical Science	Earth Science	Life Science
Grade 5	Mixtures & Solutions	Earth & Sun	Living Systems
Grade 4	Energy	Soils, Rocks, and Landforms	Environments
Grade 3	Motion & Matter	Water & Climate	Structures of Life
Grade 2	Solids & Liquids	Pebbles, Sand & Silt	Insects & Plants
Grade 1	Sound & Light	Air & Weather	Plants & Animals
Grade K	Materials & Motion	Trees & Weather	Animals Two by Two
Grade Pre-K	Full-year Observing Nature

Classroom proven like no other science program.

FOSS has amassed a legacy of results spanning all 50 states and reflecting the combined experience of 100,000 teachers. If you're looking for a science curriculum proven to work for students of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, your search begins and ends with FOSS.