Phenomenal Science is a complete set of K-5 science units developed by Michigan educators to meet the Michigan Science Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. of K-5 grade science units. The units integrate instructional strategies for implementing 3D learning in K-5 science, such as; productive talk, integration, notebooking, and inquiry cycles or storylines planned around anchoring phenomena. The units contain everything a teacher will need to facilitate three-dimensional science instruction according to the new Michigan Science Standards, except hands-on components. Additionally, the units are free to all educators and integrate engineering, math, and language arts.
Phenomenal Science meets three critical needs lacking in elementary science: lack of time for science instruction, accessible quality resources, and teacher comfort with teaching science. It promotes science instruction as a process of student sense-making. Science learning research is foundational to Phenomenal Science and includes constructivist approaches, social learning theories, neuroscience applications, higher order thinking, inquiry, and the crucial evidence of A Framework for K-12 Science Education (NAP, 2011). Supported by research, the units were developed by teachers to address the lack of updated curricular materials and provide resources to shift instruction to meet all three dimensions of NGSS. These free phenomena-based units include assessments, lessons, handouts, and links to resources to engage students in sense-making around science phenomena.
To maximize time for science, the units include integration of Math and English Language Arts. Engineering is taught throughout and student use of technology is embedded. Our current rate of implementation by trained teachers is approximately 54% of each unit, many of whom were formerly teaching little to no science. To build comfort with the NGSS instructional shifts, Phenomenal Science incorporates both face to face and online professional learning. Further online resources include a Teacher’s Guide, Website, and Blogs. Our initial results from professional learning show teachers’ substantial growth in NGSS comfort level and instructional strategy understanding.
Updates and Development
New Features and Enhancements The Phenomenal Science Leadership Team has been working hard to update and improve all units, K-5. Unit Updates and Enhancements have been published throughout the 2020-2021 school year and openly available on this site, as well as through #GoOpen. A more teacher friendly format is being used, as well as cleaning up links and resources.
Teacher Feedback
Everything was right there that was needed; videos, materials lists, and books to read aloud. It was wonderful how all the three dimensions are incorporated! -Kindergarten Teacher
I love the hands-on components and encouraging dialog between kids to explore their own ideas and reasoning. -1st Grade Teacher
Activities were hands on, engaging, appropriate for the grade level and included deep thinking questions. -2nd Grade Teacher
Students had many opportunities for high-level thinking. Students were given the materials and expected to design and construct experiments based on their thoughts, questions and ideas. -3rd Grade Teacher
I really enjoyed the student dialogue that these lessons fostered and their ability to construct arguments about the external and internal structures of plants and animals and the ways these supported growth, survival and reproduction. -4th Grade Teacher
One of the strongest portions of the units is the amount of opportunity for student discovery and dialogue. After presenting a phenomenon to students, they were able to come to proper conclusions, on their own and as a class, that were later confirmed in informational text. The students were engaged and interested throughout the unit and could speak confidently while answering the investigation questions throughout the unit. -5th Grade Teacher