A science education is built one discovery at a time.
FOSS puts students first and engages all students in hands-on science
Every student deserves the benefits of science education—not just exposure to scientific phenomena, but the opportunity to understand and explain them. From its foundations, FOSS® is built to afford that opportunity to all, regardless of background, culture, language, or ability.
The scholars at the Lawrence Hall of Science designed FOSS around the principle of collaborative, active investigation. FOSS effectively engages all students by inviting them to interact with observable phenomena, a teaching philosophy subsequently codified with the arrival of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
“We LOVE the fact that with FOSS, our
students get their hands on science concepts
rather than just learning about them in texts
and by completing worksheets. The real-life
application goes beyond the classrooms. The
hands-on experiences students get through
FOSS raise their interest in science!”
COURTNEY S. – LEARNING STRATEGIST, NEVADA
“FOSS already was using the philosophy
behind Next Generation Science
Standards in earlier editions before they
were officially adopted or given explicit
terminology. You have the practices,
crosscutting concepts, and DCI information
in your lessons. You know how to engage
kids in learning. Thank you for being ‘the
wheel’ before it was reinvented!”
ERIN A. – SCIENCE TEACHER, DELAWARE
FOSS lessons help teachers reach all students through phenomena that are local and relevant, and the phenomenon is framed within a logical context so that every student can recognize its significance as it is introduced. This student-centered approach ultimately honors the spirit of the standards better by ensuring that all learners can make sense of phenomena and solve problems. In this way, FOSS makes science accessible and equitable for every student in every classroom.
The FOSS Pathways program supports the science teaching and learning needed today, while building on the classroom-proven three-decade legacy of FOSS.
Accessible for all
The founding principle of the FOSS program was to enlist students not as passive recipients of information but as active investigators of phenomena. This approach engages and advances learners of all
languages and cultures, taking advantage of prior experiences so all students can reason scientifically—a goal that has only gained relevance with time.
Proven and tested
The FOSS program has been refined through three decades of collaboration with developers, educators, and students around the world. It has empowered teachers, excited students, and elevated test scores for students with diverse backgrounds and experiences living in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Standards-aligned
FOSS has evolved over time to meet the changing science education landscape and is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.
“Students absolutely love the hands-on
experimentation. It makes science come
alive for them. Thanks to FOSS, my students love science and actually beg for more.”
PEGGY S. – EDUCATOR/GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION COORDINATOR, CALIFORNIA