PhD Science in Sync
Back to school will look different this fall—and Great Minds® teachers will be in synch with classroom teachers to ensure daily learning continues. Our teacher–writers and experts are meeting the challenge of the moment with a new science curriculum created to cover the same content as PhD Science™, redesigned for knowledge building at home. Whether students are out of school for a week or a month, PhD Science in Sync keeps the learning going without missing a beat.
LEARN MOREEXPLORING PHENOMENA
PhD Science is a phenomenon-driven curriculum. Through authentic anchor phenomenon, each module explores core science concepts to help students make sense of the world around them. Every lesson builds on the lessons before it, weaving a coherent storyline for the module as students dig deep into each concept they're exploring. Through observation, questioning, modeling, investigation, and evidence-based argumentation, students build knowledge that they can demonstrate by applying their understanding in different contexts through Science or Engineering Challenges in each module. PhD Science helps move students from reading about science to doing science.
SEE THE TOPICS COVERED
KNOWLEDGE-BUILDING CURRICULUM
What does knowledge building look like in the classroom, and how can educators foster a knowledge-building learning environment? Watch the webinar with our panel of experts, including Natalie Wexler, author of "The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System–and How to Fix It."
WATCH THE WEBINAREVALUATING SCIENCE CURRICULUM OPTIONS
Administrators in Daviess County share their experience evaluating science curriculum options and discuss why they selected PhD Science. Learn about their evaluation process, the shift they've seen in science teaching and learning, and the process of incrementally implementing a three-dimensional science program.
WATCH THE WEBINARPILOT PHD SCIENCE IN YOUR SCHOOL
More than 900 classrooms across the country have piloted PhD Science. These teachers transitioned from lecturing about science to facilitating lessons where students drive the learning. Learn more about how you can transform science teaching and learning in your classroom by piloting the PhD Science this year.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL
PhD Science is based on the Next Generation Science Standards and A Framework for K–12 Education. The curriculum was created to help teachers address the pedagogical shift required to incorporate three-dimensional teaching and learning in the classroom. PhD Science wasn't retrofitted to meet new expectations in science. It was written from the start to help students uncover Disciplinary Core Ideas by engaging in the Science and Engineering Practices, and use the lens of Cross-Cutting Concepts to make sense of phenomena.
CONTENT AREA CONNECTIONS
Content-area connections provide students with rich experience as they dig even deeper into the topics they're exploring. The Teacher Edition outlines connections to math, history, art, and English language arts. Every module includes one or more trade books carefully selected to support the science while allowing students to practice their literacy skills. Incorporation of fine art is a unique feature of PhD Science. It provides students with a window into the anchor phenomenon and an opportunity to transfer their knowledge into unexpected contexts. Observing fine art also makes the lesson accessible to all students as they share what they notice and wonder about the piece—preparing them to ask questions and make observations throughout the science lesson.
TRANSFORMING CLASSROOMS
"Great Minds did transform the way my students look at science, but it also transformed the way I look at science. Before this, science was an acquisition of facts. We read from a book and we answered questions. But it was never an experience generated by the students. This curriculum is a science experience." Susan Warren, pilot teacher in Owensboro, KY
EXPLORE THE CURRICULUM