The Science Education Department develops curricula and materials that reflect current scientific and educational philosophy. SED staff includes education researchers, scientists, teachers, media specialists and graduate students who collaborate to identify and address the needs of science teachers and students in elementary, secondary, and college science, with an emphasis on grades Kô12. This section contains information on K-12 curriculum materials developed by the Science Education Department and its partners.

Project Aries (Grades 3-8)
ARIES is a hands-on, inquirey-based learning curriculum in physical and earth/space science. It deepens understanding by prompting students to explore prior knowledge, pose questions, build and use apparatus to observe natural phenomena, and construct a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Learn More...

Challenges in Physical Science (Middle School)
Building and improving devices forms the core of this technology and science course for students who are still learning about their own interests and abilities. These six modules present three to four challenges each, suitable for teaching the elements of science and technology at the middle school level. Learn More...

STAR: Science Teaching through its Astronomical Roots (High School)
Project STAR is an astronomy course that also teaches real-world math and physics. Its philosophy is that students learn science better by making measurements and observations than by memorizing "facts." Learn More...

Harvard-Smithsonian Digital Video Library
This Digital Video Library contains an extensive collection of streaming video materials to enhance understanding and teaching. of K-12 STEM learning goals. Learn More...

Project Spectroscopy: Light, Color and Spectroscopy for Every Classroom (Grade 7-12)
These activities were designed to illustrate the phenomena of light and color and spectroscopy. For each, students are expected to predict and record an expected outcome, make and record their observations, record a conclusion, compare their conclusion with a lab partner and record a revised conclusion if necessary. Learn More...