Insights

This hands-on, inquiry science program for grades K-6 has been revised and updated to meet the needs of today's teacher:

• More assessment opportunities have been added, as well as an optional Student Science Notebook. Additional literacy, mathematics, and Technology Resource Connections have also been added.
• The new, easy-to-use format makes it easier than ever for teachers to guide students as they explore key science concepts. Each of the 21 units contain up to 20 learning experiences (hands-on, inquiry activities). Six major science themes are represented: systems, change, structure and function, diversity, cause and effect, and energy.
• The Insights program was developed by the science education specialists at Education Development Center, Inc. and originally received funding by the National Science Foundation.

Unit Based
The Insights curriculum consists of 21 units, each designed to be used at one of two grade levels. The units can be used as a core curriculum which can be extended or expanded to meet the needs of a particular school system. The units can also be used individually in conjunction with existing programs.

Standards-basedThe Insights curriculum is closely aligned with the National Science Education Standards. The standards provide a vision for science education; Insights translates that vision into reality.

NSF-funded
The National Science Foundation originally funded Insights and considers it to be one of the few national curricula that reflects the teaching, content, and assessment standards of the NSES.

Research-based
The curriculum is based on the research on effective science teaching for inner city students. This research highlights the importance of specific instructional strategies. Among these are: direct exploratory and problem solving experience with materials, relevance to the lives of students, extensive use of language, cooperative and team learning, and the inclusion of role models reflective of racial, gender, and cultural make-up of the student body.