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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:
  • Event
    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

  • Event
    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.

Explore FOSS

Only FOSS offers you all this.
  • 1

    America's most awarded, most adopted science program

  • 2

    Three decades of continuous refinement by 100,000 teachers

  • 3

    Professional development & support unmatched by any competitor

Take the first step.

Sample FOSS