FOSS works for Pennsylvania

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:

FOSS Meets STEELS Standards

100% Science Standards
92% TE Standards
91% ELS Standards
STEELS IU Day - Bucks County IU

2024 Date: February 29th

Time: 8:00am-2:30pm

Location: 705 N. Shady Retreat Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
STEELS IU Day - IU 12

2024 Date: March 11th

Time: 8:30am-3:30pm

Location: 65 Billerbeck Street
New Oxford, PA 17350
STEELS IU Day – ARIN IU28 & Westmoreland IU 7

2024 Date: March 13th

Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Chestnut Ridge Conference Center
132 Pine Ridge Road
Blairsville, PA 15717
STEELS IU Days - IU 13

2024 Dates: January 30th, February 27th and March 27th

Time: 8:00am-2:45pm

Location: Lancaster – Lebanon IU13
1020 New Holland Ave
Lancaster, PA 17603
STEELS IU Day - MCIU

2024 Date: April 23rd

Time: 8:30am-3:30pm

Location: 465 Crossfield Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406

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® for Pennsylvania to present science the way students learn it, as they experience phenomena firsthand through active investigation. It’s why FOSS is proven to measurably improve test scores in districts across the country. Why FOSS?

FOSS meets 100% Science Standards, 92% TE Standards and 91% ELS Standards in Pennsylvania.

See our success in Philadelphia.

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.

Pittsburgh PSD Philadelphia SD Pennsbury SD Propel Federation Charter School Network in Pittsburgh Pennsbury Quakertown

Quaker Valley Saucon Valley Upper Dauphin School District Conrad Weiser Area Schools Pottsgrove Schools Ridley

Bensalem School District Council Rock East Pennsboro Area

Pittsburgh PSD Philadelphia SD Pennsbury SD Propel Federation Charter School Network in Pittsburgh Pennsbury Quakertown Quaker Valley Saucon Valley Upper Dauphin School District Conrad Weiser Area Schools Pottsgrove Schools Ridley Bensalem School District Council Rock East Pennsboro Area

See all districts

Pennsylvania 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			Variables & Design* 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.