Virginia Science Review
"Why Do I Need to Know This?"
Have you ever had a student ask, "Why do I need to know this?" Research has shown that when students are interested, they are motivated. When they are motivated, they achieve. Activate Learning's research-based and phenomenon-driven science programs spark student interest through the use of personally relevant and consequential investigations and projects. These experiences provide a driving mechanism for student questions and sensemaking. They address common student questions by providing numerous opportunities for student exploration.
Digital Editions
with LMS Integration
(Also available in Print)
All programs are available in digital and print. Our Interactive Digital Editions integrate with several LMS systems, to include: Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, Clever and Classlink. This integration helps teachers as they adapt to the challenges of remote teaching. LMS integration includes grade passback.
Click the link here to view the integration video for Google Classroom, Canvas or Schoology.
Grades K-5
Developed by UChicago STEM Education, Activate Learning PRIME®
(AL PRIME) is the product of a rigorous iterative development process by an author team comprised of both content and classroom specialists and is designed to be educative for elementary school teachers, as well as for students. The program engages children in learning science by doing science, with a focus on developing discourse and critical thinking skills alongside disciplinary content knowledge and science and engineering practices to help students make sense of engaging hands-on explorations. (Spanish Edition Coming Soon)
PRIME Activity Video
PRIME Interactive Digital Edition
Grades 6-8
PBIScience® is a 3-year middle-school curriculum designed to be taught as stand-alone units. You can teach by domain (Life, Physical, Earth and Space Science) or you can integrate the sciences each year.
In PBIScience, students take part in science learning experiences framed around answering Big Questions or addressing Big Challenges that guide instruction and serve to organize their learning progressions. As students pursue answers, they conduct investigations, make models, collect and analyze data, weigh evidence, write explanations, and discuss and present findings.
PBIScience in Action
Grades 6-8
IQWST® (Investigating and Questioning our World through Science and Technology), which transforms adolescents into scientists, was developed over a decade by science education, literacy, and learning science specialists from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, Michigan State University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science, supported by funding from the National Science Foundation. Students investigate questions relevant to their lives by conducting investigations; collecting and analyzing data; developing and using models to explain phenomena, and engaging in argument from evidence, all in a literacy and discourse-rich environment.
IQWST in Action
IQWST Interactive Digital Edition
Grades 9-12
Active Physics® is based on the research on how students learn—encapsulated in the 7E Instructional Model (elicit, engage, explore, explain, elaborate, extend, evaluate). As a result, Active Physics provides ALL students with a deep and memorable learning experience.
Active Chemistry® fosters scientifically literate students who will be prepared for the workforce, able to make informed decisions, and contribute as productive citizens in the 21st century.
EarthComm® is a comprehensive, project-based, secondary level Earth and space sciences program. It includes student learning materials, teacher resources, teacher-support networks, and assessment tools. EarthComm also features a robust Web site filled with student and teacher resources regularly updated by AGI.
Other High School STEM programs
Active Physical Science
Engineering the Future
Investigating Astronomy
Astrobiology
Environmental Science & Biocomplexity
Active Physics in Action
Active Physics Interactive Digital Edition
Professional Learning
Activate Learning offers professional development support based on goals for teacher learning. We provide several opportunities for teachers to examine the chosen materials, understand how the curriculum design works, and analyze an array of instructional practices and strategies that foster meaningful student engagement. Click the link below to learn more.
Thank you for your time
Thank you Virginia educators for taking the time to review our K-12 inquiry-based science programs. As a retired science teacher and supervisor of 32 years, I look forward to helping you address the new state standards and meet the challenges of engaging your students during these uncertain times. Click the button to the left to access my contact page.
- Ron Antinori, Regional Manager