Overview

With Amplify Science, students don’t just passively learn about science concepts. Instead, they take on the roles of scientists and engineers to actively investigate and make sense of real-world phenomena. They do this through a blend of cohesive and compelling storylines, hands-on investigations, collaborative discussions, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools.

 

Listen to these educators share how the program empowers students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers every day.

 

Grades K–5

Grades 6–8

Proven to work

Click here to read about the efficacy and impact of Amplify Science.

Program structure

Our cyclical lesson design ensures students receive multiple exposures to concepts through a variety of modalities. As they progress through the lessons within a unit, students build and deepen their understanding, increasing their ability to develop and refine complex explanations of the unit’s phenomenon. It’s this proven program structure and lesson design that enables Amplify Science to teach less, but achieve more.

 

Rather than asking teachers to wade through unnecessary content, we designed our program to address 100 percent of the NGSS and Idaho Standards in fewer days than other programs:

  • In just 66 lessons at grades K–2
  • In just 88 lessons at grades 3–5
  • In just 120 lessons at grades 6–8

Unit types

Each unit delivers three-dimensional learning experiences and engages students in gathering evidence from a rich collection of sources, while also emphasizing a particular science and engineering practice.

Unit types
Dos niñas en un salón de clases están realizando un experimento científico con un vaso de plástico y una pipeta. Una niña sostiene la taza mientras la otra observa de cerca. Ambos están sentados en una mesa con papeles.

Investigation units

Investigation units focus on the process of strategically developing investigations and gathering data to answer questions. Students are first asked to consider questions about what happens in the natural world and why, and are then involved in designing and conducting investigations that produce data to help answer those questions.
Children playing a board game involving numbers and tokens at a table.

Modeling units

Modeling units provide extra support to students engaging in the practice of modeling. Students use physical models, investigate with computer models, and create their own diagrams to help them visualize what might be happening on the nanoscale.

Engineering Design units

Engineering design units provide opportunities for students to solve complex problems by applying science principles to the design of functional solutions, and iteratively testing those solutions to determine how well they meet preset criteria.
Students working on an assignment at a desk surrounded by open textbooks and notebooks. A person's hands are visible, holding a book and writing with a pen.

Argumentation units

Argumentation units are introduced at grade 3 and provide students with regular opportunities to explore and discuss available evidence, time and support to consider how evidence may be leveraged in support of claims, and independence that increases as they mount written arguments in support of their claims.
Student reading a textbook about coral reefs, pointing to a page, with a pen and notebook nearby. A laptop displaying a chart is open on the desk.

Launch units

Launch units are the first units taught in each year of Amplify Science. The goal of the Launch unit is to introduce students to norms, routines, and practices that will be built on throughout the year, including argumentation, active reading, and using the program’s technology. For example, rather than taking the time to explain the process of active reading in every unit in a given year, it is explained thoroughly in the Launch unit, thereby preparing students to read actively in all subsequent units.

Core units

Core units establish the context of the unit by introducing students to a real-world problem. As students move through lessons in a Core unit, they figure out the unit’s anchoring phenomenon, gain an understanding of the unit’s disciplinary core ideas and science and engineering practices, and make linkages across topics through the crosscutting concepts. Each Core unit culminates with a Science Seminar and final writing activity.
Students focused on laptops in a classroom, working intently. Tables and other classroom items are visible.

Engineering Internship units

Engineering Internship units invite students to design solutions for real-world problems as interns for a fictional company called Futura. Students figure out how to help those in need, from tsunami victims in Sri Lanka to premature babies, through the application of engineering practices. In the process, they apply and deepen their learning from Core units.

Idaho Science Standards Alignment

Amplify Science was built from the ground up to fully embrace the instructional shifts outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education (2012), the same framework on which Idaho Science Content Standards were founded. Most grade levels’ respective set of Amplify Science units therefore fully address the necessary Idaho Science Content Standards (see correlation). Grade 1 teachers should plan to also use the companion mini-lesson provided below to achieve full standards coverage for their grade.

Grade 1 Companion

Standard: 1-LS-1.3 Use classification supported by evidence to differentiate between living and non-living things.

Recommended placement: Following Lesson 1.1 of the Animal and Plant Defenses unit.

Resources: Classroom Slides

 

Download Correlation

 

Science (K-2) Evaluation Form

Science (3-5) Evaluation Form

Science (Middle School Physical Science) Evaluation Form

Science (Middle School Life Science) Evaluation Form

Science Evaluation Form Middle School Earth and Space Science

Idaho Science Standards Alignment
Mariposa en vuelo sobre plantas en macetas sobre una mesa, con una oruga en un tallo frondoso cerca, una regadera roja a la izquierda y un paisaje brillante al fondo.

Needs of Plants and Animals

Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Investigation

Student role: Scientists

Phenomenon: There are no monarch caterpillars in the Mariposa Grove community garden since vegetables were planted. 
Una mano tirando de una cuerda atada a una bola blanca, que interactúa con un tablero de madera con varias clavijas y bandas elásticas.

Pushes and Pulls

Domains: Physical Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Engineering design

Student role: Pinball engineers

Phenomenon: Pinball machines allow people to control the direction and strength of forces on a ball. 
Silueta de una estructura de parque infantil contra un cielo azul con nubes y tres soles amarillos.

Sunlight and Weather

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Modeling

Student role: Weather scientists

Phenomenon: Students at Carver Elementary School are too cold during morning recess, while students at Woodland Elementary School are too hot during afternoon recess. 
Una ilustración de una tortuga marina nadando bajo el agua, acompañada por una tortuga más pequeña, una tortuga más grande y un tiburón distante. Al fondo se ven algas.

Animal and Plant Defenses

Domain: Life Science

Unit type: Modeling

Student role: Marine scientists

Phenomenon: Spruce the Sea Turtle lives in an aquarium and will soon be released back into the ocean, where she will survive despite ocean predators. 
Dos manos sosteniendo un papel con un dibujo de pirámide y árbol, iluminado por una linterna, proyectando otra sombra de la imagen en la pared.

Light and Sound

Domains: Physical Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Engineering design

Student role: Light and sound engineers

Phenomenon: A puppet show company uses light and sound to depict realistic scenes in puppet shows. 
Ilustración que muestra un paisaje urbano dividido en noche a la izquierda con una luna y estrellas, y día a la derecha con un sol, nubes y un avión.

Spinning Earth

Domain: Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Investigation

Student role: Sky scientists

Phenomenon: The sky looks different to Sai and his grandma when they talk on the phone. 
Un elefante se encuentra debajo de un árbol y usa su trompa para arrancar un trozo de fruta.

Plant and Animal Relationships

Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Investigation

Student role: Plant scientists

Phenomenon: No new chalta trees are growing in the fictional Bengal Tiger Reserve in India. 
Una mano sostiene un frijol rojo sobre una mesa, mientras un palo de madera esparce pegamento blanco y frijoles esparcidos. Sobre la mesa también hay una taza blanca y una pluma amarilla.

Properties of Materials

Domains: Physical Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Engineering design

Student role: Glue engineers

Phenomenon: Different glue recipes result in glues that have different properties. 
Ilustración de una costa con acantilados, un edificio de centro recreativo con un techo rojo y un letrero, árboles de hoja perenne, una bandera azul y una playa de arena debajo.

Changing Landforms

Domain: Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Modeling

Student role: Geologists

Phenomenon: The cliff that Oceanside Recreation Center is situated on appears to be receding over time. 
Una ilustración de un tren de alta velocidad moderno y aerodinámico que viaja por una vía elevada con un paisaje verde de fondo.

Balancing Forces

Domain: Physical Science

Unit type: Modeling

Student role: Engineers

Phenomenon: The town of Faraday is getting a new train that floats above its tracks. 
Ilustración de una escena de bosque con un oso, un alce, pájaros en una rama y un grupo de lobos en primer plano. Las colinas y los árboles están al fondo bajo un cielo despejado.

Inheritance and Traits

strong>Domain: Life Science

Unit type: Investigation

Student role: Wildlife biologists

Phenomenon: An adopted wolf in Graystone National Park (Wolf 44) has some traits that appear similar to one wolf pack in the park and other traits that appear to be similar to a different wolf pack. 
Ilustración de un pájaro mirando un caracol en el suelo, con hojas verdes en el lado izquierdo y un fondo de cielo azul.

Environments and Survival

Domains: Life Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Engineering design

Student role: Biomimicry engineers

Phenomenon: Over the last 10 years, a population of grove snails has changed: The number of grove snails with yellow shells has decreased, while the number of snails with banded shells has increased. 
Un orangután con un pelaje naranja cuelga de una enredadera en una densa y verde jungla con árboles y plantas, mientras el sol brilla de fondo.

Weather and Climate

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Argumentation

Student role: Meteorologists

Phenomenon: Three different islands, each a contender for becoming an Orangutan reserve, experience different weather patterns. 
Ilustración de un paisaje urbano nocturno con ventanas iluminadas y farolas, una luna visible y estrellas en el cielo. Una figura solitaria se recorta en una de las ventanas.

Energy Conversions

Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Engineering design

Student role: System engineers

Phenomenon: The fictional town of Ergstown experiences frequent blackouts. 
Un gecko se prepara para atrapar un grillo bajo una farola por la noche. Las flechas amarillas ilustran la luz de la lámpara que golpea al grillo y se refleja en los ojos del gecko.

Vision and Light

Domain: Physical Science, Life Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Investigation

Student role: Conservation biologists

Phenomenon: The population of Tokay geckos in a rain forest in the Philippines has decreased since the installation of new highway lights. 
Dos delfines nadan bajo el agua en un ambiente teñido de azul, uno frente al otro, y uno parece abrir ligeramente la boca.

Waves, Energy, and Information

Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Modeling

Student role: Marine scientists

Phenomenon: Mother dolphins in the fictional Blue Bay National Park seem to be communicating with their calves when they are separated at a distance underwater. 
Ilustración de la Tierra girando alrededor del Sol. La Tierra se representa con una trayectoria orbital indicada por una línea azul discontinua y una flecha blanca que muestra su dirección. El fondo es un espacio lleno de estrellas.

Patterns of Earth and Sky

Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Investigation

Student role: Astronomers

Phenomenon: An ancient artifact depicts what we see in the sky at different times — the sun during the daytime and different stars during the nighttime — but it is missing a piece. 
Ilustración de una costa rocosa con acantilados angulares en tonos rojizos a la izquierda y una masa de agua azul debajo.

Earth's Features

Domain: Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Argumentation

Student role: Geologists

Phenomenon: A mysterious fossil is discovered in a canyon within the fictional Desert Rocks National Park. 
Cápsulas rojas y blancas esparcidas sobre un vibrante fondo rojo y blanco.

Modeling Matter

Domain: Physical Science

Unit type: Modeling

Student role: Food scientists

Phenomenon: Chromatography is a process for separating mixtures. Some solids dissolve in a salad dressing while others do not. Oil and vinegar appear to separate when mixed in a salad dressing. 
Ilustración de un paisaje costero con una montaña y flechas que representan el flujo del viento sobre y alrededor de la montaña, lo que indica la dinámica del flujo de aire.

The Earth System

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Engineering Design

Student role: Water resource engineers

Phenomenon: East Ferris, a city on one side of the fictional Ferris Island, is experiencing a water shortage, while West Ferris is not. 
Ilustración de una escena de la jungla en la que aparecen un guepardo y un perezoso entre un denso follaje verde y varias plantas coloridas.

Ecosystem Restoration

Domains:Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Argumentation

Student role: Ecologists

Phenomenon: The jaguars, sloths, and cecropia trees in a reforested section of a Costa Rican rain forest are not growing and thriving. 
A barren, rocky desert landscape with rover tracks leading to a distant vehicle on a hill under a hazy sky.

Geology on Mars

Domain: Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Launch

Student role: Planetary geologists

Phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable. 
A city skyline at night with a prominent full moon, stars in the sky, and a bridge silhouette on the left.

Earth, Moon, and Sun

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Astronomers

Phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times. 
Illustration of a person in a red hat and fur-lined coat with eyes closed, surrounded by large orange circles on a dark background.

Thermal Energy

Domain: Physical Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Thermal scientists

Phenomenon: One of two proposed heating systems for Riverdale School will best heat the school. 

Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Climatologists

Phenomenon: During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual. 
Ilustración de un pueblo con casas, campos y montañas bajo un cielo nublado con olas de viento o lluvia.

Weather Patterns

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Forensic meteorologists

Phenomenon: In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe. 
An illustration of a whale with jellyfish and turtles from Amplify Science

Populations and Resources

Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Biologists

Phenomenon: The size of the moon jelly population in Glacier Sea has increased. 
Low-poly landscape with trees and mushrooms. A fox sniffs the ground, a rabbit sits nearby, and mountains and sun are in the background.

Matter and Energy in Ecosystems

Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Ecologists

Phenomenon: The biodome ecosystem has collapsed. 
Imagen que muestra un gráfico de arañas de diferentes colores con patrones distintos de patas y cuerpo, incluidas variaciones de color marrón, amarillo y azul. El fondo es una superficie oscura y texturizada.

Traits and Reproduction

Domain: Life Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Biomedical students

Phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents. 
Abstract art with vibrant colors featuring a yellow silhouette of a person holding a book against a background of geometric shapes, swirling patterns, and bold textures.

Microbiome

Domain: Life Science

Unit type: Launch

Student role: Microbiological researchers

Phenomenon: The presence of 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in the human body may keep the body healthy. 
Abstract artwork of a person's side profile with geometric shapes and colorful patterns flowing from the head, holding a small sledgehammer. A vision chart is visible in the corner.

Metabolism

Domain: Life Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Medical researchers

Phenomenon: Elisa, a young patient, feels tired all the time. 

Force and Motion

Domain: Physical Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Physicists

Phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned. 
Green geometric background with a hexagonal emblem containing a parachute icon, ruler, bandage, and stacked layers on a gradient pattern.

Force and Motion Engineering Internship

Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science

Unit type: Engineering internship

Student role: Mechanical engineering interns

Phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents. 

Plate Motion

Domain: Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Geologists

Phenomenon: Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together. 
Illustration of a cross-section of Earth showing a volcano near the ocean. Trees, mountains, and clouds are visible above, with subterranean layers below.

Rock Transformations

Domain: Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Geologists

Phenomenon: Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions. 
Una fila de dinosaurios de dibujos animados representados digitalmente, en su mayoría verdes con uno amarillo, todos con collares con púas y una marca roja en los costados, frente a un paisaje cubierto de hierba bajo un cielo despejado.

Natural Selection

Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Biologists

Phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time. 

Evolutionary History

Domains: Life Science, Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Paleontologists

Phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales.  
Two people climbing rocky terrain; illustrations show a hiking boot and a belt with gear.

Harnessing Human Energy

Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Launch

Student role: Energy scientists

Phenomenon: Rescue workers can use their own human kinetic energy to power the electrical devices they use during rescue missions. 
Ilustración que muestra las etapas de fusión de una paleta de naranja: entera, parcialmente derretida, más derretida y casi derretida por completo, con palitos de madera, sobre un fondo morado.

Phase Change

Domains: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Chemists

Phenomenon: A methane lake on Titan no longer appears in images taken by a space probe two years apart. 
Green geometric graphic featuring icons: a baby, thermometer, layers, medical alert, and a flame.

Phase Change Engineering Internship

Domains: Engineering Design, Physical Science

Unit type: Engineering internship

Student role: Chemical engineering interns

Phenomenon: Designing portable baby incubators with different combinations of phase change materials can keep babies at a healthy temperature. 
Obra de arte digital abstracta que presenta numerosos círculos rojos y grises superpuestos sobre un fondo dividido de azul y violeta claro, creando una composición dinámica y enérgica.

Chemical Reactions

Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Forensic chemists

Phenomenon: A mysterious brown substance has been detected in the tap water of Westfield. 

Magnetic Fields

Domain: Physical Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Physicists

Phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected. 
Ilustración que muestra flechas amarillas que representan energía o radiación que se acerca a la Tierra desde el lado izquierdo y representa una capa atmosférica protectora alrededor del planeta.

Light Waves

Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Spectroscopists

Phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world. 
Un oso polar se encuentra sobre un pequeño témpano de hielo en el océano con un sol naranja en el cielo y lejanas montañas heladas al fondo.

Earth's Changing Climate

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Life Science

Unit type: Core

Student role: Climatologists

Phenomenon: The ice on Earth’s surface is melting. 
Abstract geometric design in shades of blue and purple featuring a hexagon with icons of a building, wrench, molecules, sun, paint can, and screwdriver.

Earth's Changing Climate Engineering Internship

Domains: Earth and Space Science, Engineering Design

Unit type: Engineering internship

Student role: Civil engineers

Phenomenon: Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change. 

Access program

In addition to the grade-level sample boxes that we provided, we’ve also created custom demo accounts just for Idaho reviewers.

 

To access the digital portion of the program, click the link below, select “Log In with Amplify,” and then refer to the Start here digital access flyer for your personalized login credentials.

 

Access digital program

Tutorial videos

Check out these videos for support on how to navigate the Amplify Science curriculum website, teacher’s guide, materials kits, and more!

Resources

Course structure for K–5

Take a closer look at how the program is organized.
Two middle school girls use a Student Investigation Notebook to take on the role of scientists and engineers

Course structure for 6–8

Take a closer look at how the program is organized.
Two women sit at a table working together. One types on a laptop while the other writes on a spiral-bound notebook. Posters and office supplies are in the background.

Idaho Science Standards Alignment

See how we customized our instructional sequence to fully support the Idaho Science Standards.
A collage of images: top left, digital art of a desert scene; top right, three kids doing a science experiment; bottom left, a hand holding a jar and two others beside; bottom right, digital art of a person and child in a field.

NGSS Earth Science Standards Map

NGSS Life Science Standards Map
A collage of four images: a magnet illustration, hands with a compass and balls, hands holding a bar magnet and ruler, and a graphic of Earth with compass needles.

NGSS Physical Science Standards Map

What’s so phenomenal about phenomena?

Learn actionable strategies that will help you implement 3-D teaching and learning.

Unit phenomena for K–5

Take a closer look at the elementary unit phenomena featured in each grade level.

Unit phenomena for 6–8

Take a closer look at the middle school unit phenomena featured in each grade level.

Classroom Slides for K–5

Classrooms Slides for elementary are now available! These customizable PowerPoints for every lesson make teaching science even easier.

Classroom Slides for 6–8

Classrooms Slides for middle school are coming soon! These customizable PowerPoints for every lesson make teaching science even easier.
A laptop screen displaying a map with three ecosystem options, each illustrated by different animal icons and accompanied by relevant data lists.

Sims for 4–8

Take a closer look at the digital Simulations included at each grade level.

Literacy-rich instruction in K–5

Scientists do not just get messy. They read and write with purpose too. Explore how we do that in our program.

Student Books in K–5

Read a summary of each of our award-winning K–5 student books.

Active reading in 6–8

Learn how we support students in learning how to interact with scientific texts.

Investigations for K–5

Explore the types of investigations that take place in elementary classrooms.

Investigations for 6–8

Explore the types of investigations that take place in middle school classrooms.
Sobre un fondo blanco se encuentran diversos suministros, como láminas de cartón, tableros perforados, ganchos, gomas elásticas, pelotas de tenis, palitos de helado, cinta adhesiva y otros objetos pequeños.

Materials Kits for K–5

See what components come in our materials kits!
Surtido de suministros de bricolaje que incluyen tornillos, clavos, baterías, cajas metálicas, bandas elásticas, paneles solares, cables, botes y otros componentes pequeños cuidadosamente dispuestos sobre un fondo blanco.

Materials Kits for 6–8

See what components come in our materials kits!
Un maestro se encuentra al frente de un salón de clases, explicando una lección que se muestra en una pantalla. Los estudiantes se sientan en sus escritorios y algunos levantan la mano.

Approaches to assessment in K–5

Learn about our elementary embedded assessments.
Estudiantes sentados en escritorios, concentrados en escribir en cuadernos y trabajar en computadoras portátiles en un salón de clases.

Approaches to assessment in 6–8

Learn about our middle school embedded assessments.