Bringing Engaging Hands-On Science to your Classroom

Students Impacted

Teachers Involved

School Partnerships

Districts

The RiSE Center supports teachers in using research-supported, community-vetted instructional science resources. This community has adopted three different resources supporting instruction in grades K-9.

We provide hands-on materials at a fraction of the cost needed to purchase materials in addition to professional learning and community for teachers using the resources.

Have questions? Want to get involved? Please contact our Resource Coordinator, Beth Muncey at elizabeth.muncey@maine.edu

What is Provided?

For $25/student, you will receive:

  • A full set of hands on materials for all units
  • Teacher texts and supplemental resources
  • A classroom set of student texts
  • Access to the online platform provided by the publisher (except EComm)

Additional Opportunies

We offer hands on professional learning to introduce teachers to their kits/resources and assist you in understanding the lessons, materials, and begin planning how to incorporate these into your classroom.

You will also become apart of our larger teaching community and connect with other experienced teachers who have been using these resources and materials.

Full Option Science System

The ‘FOSS’ curriculum was selected by a task force of Maine teachers and administrators from multiple districts in partnership with RiSE Center faculty and staff. Evaluation was focused on identifying a comprehensive, research-supported K-5 science program that would meet the needs of Maine teachers and students.

Materials are user friendly

You do not have to be a science expert to teach with these. Materials are easy to use, contain extensive resources to support teachers, and include background knowledge support for teachers who may not have had extensive training in science teaching methods or science content.

Materials are hands-on

Students are DOING science. Students actively are investigating phenomena in ways that are engaging and reflect how science is carried out by professionals.

Integration is key

At the elementary level, being able to connect science to other topics increases the likelihood that teachers can fit science into schedules that are often dominated by ELA and math. Integrating ELA and math with science instruction allows teachers to strengthen their science program while simultaneously supporting student learning of multiple topics.

Aligned to NGSS

Materials are well aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (adopted by the state of Maine and nationally recognized as high quality standards) and emphasize 3-Dimensional learning.

Cost: $400.00 per teacher for 1 year

This program is specifically designed for anyone teaching or interested in teaching K-5 FOSS Next Generation Science. It is a growing community focused on supporting you as you learn with the FOSS program. We provide ongoing professional learning to support you as you progress from your first day looking through the resource to developing a nuanced understanding of science investigations and all of the pieces that work together to support your students as they get excited about learning science.

What is included:

  • Four full days of targeted professional learning that is specific to your grade level and units. This generally involves one day in early August and three release days throughout the year but varies depending on year and topic.
  • One on one help sessions with RiSE center staff and teacher leaders.
  • Access to a collaborative community of teachers, education research faculty, RiSE staff and FOSS professional learning providers and developers.
  • Ongoing support as you continue to implement FOSS into your classroom regardless of whether or not this is your first year using the resource.
  • Flexibility! We will work with you at your pace to make sure you continue to be successful and excited to teach science!

All days run from 9AM – 3PM with a half hour lunch that is provided. Training will be held in-person in Estabrooke Hall at the University of Maine. Training will begin on Thursday, August 7

All units are listed in the order of Earth Science, Physical Science, Life Science:

Kindergarten

  • Trees and Weather
  • Materials and Motion
  • Animals 2×2

Grade 1

  • Air and Weather
  • Sound and Light
  • Plants and Animals

Grade 2

  • Pebbles, Sand, and Silt
  • Solids and Liquids
  • Insects and Plants

Grade 3

  • Weather and Climate
  • Motion and Matter
  • Structures of Life

Grade 4

  • Soils, Rocks, and Landforms
  • Energy
  • Environments

Grade 5

  • Earth and Sun
  • Mixtures and Solutions
  • Living Systems

Science Education for Public Understanding

The ‘SEPUP’ curricula, from Lab Aids, are based on a guided-inquiry approach and promote the use of scientific principles, processes, and evidence in public decision making.

SEPUP is part of the University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science.

Explore LAB Aids Website

Materials are user friendly

Materials are exclusive to SEPUP and easy to use. Resources are included to support teachers with background knowledge for those who may not have had extensive training in science teaching methods or science content.

Materials are hands-on

Students are DOING science with exclusive SEPUP materials. Students actively are investigating phenomena to answer questions presented to the students in each activity.

Real-world issues

The aim of SEPUP is to engage students in relevant real-world contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of science and its role in society.

Aligned to NGSS

Materials are well aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (adopted by the state of Maine and nationally recognized as high quality standards) and emphasize 3-Dimensional learning.

Cost: $300.00 per teacher

This program is specifically designed for anyone teaching or interested in teaching SEPUP Life, Earth, and/or Physical Science. It is a community focused on supporting you as you learn the SEPUP program. We encourage teachers who are new to using these resources or teaching a new set of resources to attend a one day training in August prior to starting the school year. This training will be specific to content/grade level allowing for those who teach several subjects/grades to attend a day specific to their content/grade level.

What’s included:

  • Introduction to your new science kits.
  • Opportunities to connect with teacher leaders who are experienced with using the materials.
  • Collaborative walk throughs of each resource and support materials that go along with it.
  • Opportunities to demo lessons, go through the first kit, and begin planning for the start of the school year.
  • Flexibility! We will work with you at your pace to make sure you continue to be successful and excited to teach science!

Come learn how to get started with your new science materials from experienced teachers!

All professional learning days run from 9AM – 3PM with a half hour lunch that is provided. Professional learning will be held in-person in Estabrooke Hall at the University of Maine.


August 2025 Dates:

Tuesday, August 5 or Wednesday, August 6

Earth Science

  • Weather and Climate
  • Land, Water and Human Interactions
  • Solar System and Beyond
  • Geological Processes

Life Science

  • Ecology
  • From Cells to Organisms
  • Reproduction
  • Body Systems
  • Evolution
  • Biomedical Engineering

Physical Science

  • Force and Motion
  • Energy
  • Chemistry of Materials
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Fields and Interactions
  • Waves

EarthComm

EarthComm is a comprehensive, project-based Earth and Space science program for high school students, developed by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). It emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-driven learning to help students understand Earth’s systems and their relevance to their lives and communities.

Materials are user friendly

EarthComm includes student learning materials, extensive teacher resources, supportive professional networks, and effective assessment tools. Furthermore, EarthComm boasts a dynamic website, regularly updated by the American Geosciences Institute, brimming with valuable resources and engaging videos for both students and educators.

Materials are hands-on

Students are DOING science through the inquiry approach used in EarthComm. Students actively are investigating phenomena to answer questions presented to the students in each activity.

Aligned to NGSS

Materials are well aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (adopted by the state of Maine and nationally recognized as high quality standards) and emphasize 3-Dimensional learning.

  • Module 1 – Astronomy
  • Module 2 – Geologic Time
  • Module 3 – Plate Tectonics
  • Module 4 – Winds, Oceans, and Climate
  • Module 5 – Natural Resources and Climate Change

Questions? Want to get involved?

Please contact our Resource Coordinator, Beth Muncey at elizabeth.muncey@maine.edu