Issues and Science, Third Edition Revised

Name: Issues and Science, Third Edition Revised
Brand: SEPUP/Lab-Aids

by SEPUP/Lab-Aids

ScienceGrades 6–8

About This Curriculum

A comprehensive middle school science program that engages students in three-dimensional learning anchored in real-world issues. Students investigate, discuss, analyze, and design solutions through hands-on labs and inquiry-based activities covering life, earth, and physical science topics.

What makes it unique: Issue-oriented science approach where socioscientific issues drive the learning storyline; over 170 instructional days of hands-on activities; includes complete equipment kits and digital portal with simulations and embedded assessments.

Issues and Science, Third Edition Revised: Real-World Inquiry Program

Issues and Science, Third Edition Revised is a comprehensive middle school science curriculum that anchors three-dimensional learning in real-world problems and issues. Students engage with life, earth, and physical science content through inquiry-based investigations, discussions, and design challenges.

Best for

Middle school teachers seeking an NGSS-aligned science curriculum that connects scientific concepts to real-world issues through structured inquiry-based learning

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 1 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum appears to build substantial science content knowledge across all three domains (life, earth, and physical science) while maintaining focus on real-world applications.

EdReports confirms the curriculum meets expectations for alignment to NGSS three-dimensional learning, which requires integration of disciplinary core ideas with practices and crosscutting concepts

Ngss AlignmentStrength

The curriculum demonstrates strong alignment to Next Generation Science Standards with comprehensive three-dimensional learning integration.

EdReports confirms the curriculum 'Meets Expectations' for Gateway 1 (NGSS alignment) and Gateway 2 (coherence and scope), indicating proper sequencing and standards alignment

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides adequate teacher support materials and guidance for implementation based on third-party evaluation.

EdReports Gateway 3 rating of 'Meets Expectations' for usability includes teacher support, assessment guidance, and materials practicality

Hands On IntegrationStrength

The curriculum effectively integrates hands-on labs and inquiry activities with structured learning objectives rather than using pure discovery approaches.

Description emphasizes that students 'investigate, discuss, analyze, and design solutions through hands-on labs and inquiry-based activities,' suggesting structured inquiry rather than unguided exploration

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum appears to balance inquiry-based approaches with structured guidance, though the extent of explicit instruction is unclear.

EdReports rating for usability and teacher support suggests adequate guidance, but the inquiry-based pedagogy label indicates potential emphasis on student-led investigation

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

No evidence available regarding incorporation of retrieval practice, spaced review, or systematic reinforcement of previously learned concepts.

Neither EdReports summary nor curriculum descriptions mention assessment strategies, review cycles, or retrieval practice components

Scientific VocabularyInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence to assess how the curriculum addresses scientific vocabulary development and explicit terminology instruction.

Neither EdReports nor available descriptions provide specific information about vocabulary instruction methods or emphasis

Sources: edreports.org, cathyduffyreviews.com