"A multi-year partnership with the GE Foundation has allowed us to transform K-8 science teaching from textbook/worksheet science to active student-centered teaching and learning using curriculum materials that are primarily [from the Full Option Science System]. Teachers report that the units are instructionally friendly, and support critical thinking and deep student understanding. Students report that they enjoy the active learning through investigation and feel like scientists!"
-- Lee Ann Nickerson, Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky
Accomplished link
More than half of California students attend schools that have adopted the hands-on, inquiry-based FOSS curriculum. Studies show that, when coupled with strong professional development for teachers, FOSS has significantly improved science teaching and, by extension, students’ understanding of science.
Funders can heighten the effectiveness of the FOSS curriculum by supporting school leadership teams who ensure that teachers teach the curriculum well. A typical team would consist of one principal and three teachers, and professional development for such a team costs roughly $20,000 to $25,000 for each of three years.
Funders and PartnersFOSS is a project of the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. FOSS is published and distributed by Delta Education (a part of School Specialty Science). FOSS research was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation.
The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
Ensure work is sustainable.
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
Create high impact partnerships
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.