PhD Science K

Two students engaging in a hands-on activity involving ice plus a Tier 1 rating from the Louisiana Department of Education

FREE OER SCIENCE CURRICULUM

PhD Science K–2 available as OER

At Great Minds^®, we believe students should have access to coherent, knowledge-building instructional materials as soon as they begin elementary school. That’s why we’re offering Levels K–2 of PhD Science as a free PDF open educational resource (OER). All four modules are now available.

PhD Science® is a K–5 curriculum in which real-world phenomena anchor the learning as students build enduring knowledge about the real world and its everyday wonders. Students develop their understanding of science concepts through a coherent, phenomenon-based storyline. Students learn to think and act like real scientists as they engage in hands-on investigations and three-dimensional learning.

Free downloadable PDFs of Grade Levels K–2 include:

Teacher Edition
Science Logbooks

ACCESS MODULES 1–4

Equitable Access for All Learners

We believe that all students are capable of meeting the rigorous expectations set forth in the NGSS. To achieve this goal, PhD Science presents the same expectations for all students and provides teachers with support strategies that ensure students have equitable access to a phenomenon and the science information they need to make sense of that phenomenon. And with Levels K–2 available as a free OER to all educators across the country, any school can implement this accessible curriculum at the earliest grades.

How to Leverage OER Science Most Efficiently

Find out what’s included with the OER files, learn how to set up a Great Minds free account, and add the OER PDFs to your dashboard. See what additional components and professional learning opportunities can help supplement your implementation.

Read the blog.

The Need For High-Quality Science Curriculum In Elementary School

A recent survey found that many teachers do not feel they have enough time to teach or plan for science instruction, especially in the younger grade levels. We developed this white paper about the need for both more instructional time and high-quality curricular materials during students’ elementary school years.

Download the white paper.

Designed to Meet the Needs of Young Learners

We developed K–2 of PhD Science as an open educational resource—one that is specifically designed to meet the needs of young learners. Hear from Brian Aycock, Curriculum Development Manager of Science, discuss the age-appropriate accommodations we made in the design of the curriculum.

Watch now.

K–2 Science Curriculum Available Now

Get familiar with this innovative new curriculum to prepare for full
implementation. With PhD Science, students engage with hands-on
investigations, fine art, and core texts in every module, allowing them to
make observations, ask questions, and interact with scientific phenomena in
new, accessible contexts.

Interested in how PhD Science looks in your classroom?
Learn more about our pilot program.

Professional Development

A range of virtual and in-person sessions led by our team of teacher–writers, to support schools and districts through implementation.

See the professional learning offerings.

A portion of the PhD Science Teacher from Level 1 Module 1 that includes the fine art, Fish Magic

Print Materials

Full-color materials that include our Teacher Edition, Science Logbooks, Student Science Packs, and Assessment Packs.

View program components.

PhD Science hands-on materials kit from Level 1 Module 1 that includes flashlights, Knowledge Deck cards and posters, and safety goggles

Materials Kits

Cost-conscious supplies to support hands-on investigations, available by module or level and designed for six investigation groups per classroom (consumable supplies available for order in refill kits). Includes Knowledge Deck^TM posters and cards available only in K–2.

Learn more about hands-on materials.