Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STCMS)
Science You Can Trust. Results You Can See.
Empowers students to investigate, design solutions, and develop the scientific literacy needed for success in middle school science and beyond. Hands-on, phenomenon-driven investigations built around coherent storylines that engage learners in exploring real scientific phenomena.
Coherent Storylines
- Build toward students answering a question or solving a problem
- Follow a conceptual progression that deepens student understanding as it builds from lesson to lesson
- Engage students’ curiosity and drive student learning using lesson Focus Questions
Proven Results
- Raise test scores in science, reading, and math using proven, research-based instructional methods
- Teach dynamic lessons that integrate science and engineering content at every grade
- Integrate science content and literacy while drawing upon the Smithsonian’s research, scientists, and world-class collections
Teacher Support
- Engage your students in investigations that center on 3D tasks, phenomena, and problem-solving
- Assess student understanding using a three-dimensional system that includes pre-assessment, formative assessment, student self-assessment, and a summative written assessment and performance assessment, accompanied by 3D scoring rubrics
- Benefit from lesson-by-lesson correlations, common misconception support, and point-of-use teacher tips as you transition to NGSS* and 3D instruction and 3D assessment
Everything you need to teach–Kits, Print, and Digital
Flexible and all-inclusive options for complete kits,
refurbishment materials, and individual components.
Kits contain all required materials—both consumable
and non-consumable—to facilitate hands-on
lab activities for the entire class.
Redesigned print versions of Teacher Editions and Student Resources.
Improved format, layout and labeling and easy to read and follow.
ADA Compliant Teacher Editions
ADA Compliant Student Editions
Carolina Science Online provides centralized access to all instructional resources, including videos, simulations, and multilingual text‑to‑speech supports.
Teacher access to Carolina Science Online is included with the purchase of curriculum kits.
Enhance students’ digital experience, while providing reporting to support instruction and administrative visibility, with student licenses.
Everything you need to teach–Kits, Print, and Digital
More About Kits
Flexible and all-inclusive options for complete kits,
refurbishment materials, and individual components.
Kits contain all required materials—both consumable
and non-consumable—to facilitate hands-on
lab activities for the entire class.
More About Print
Redesigned print versions of Teacher Editions and Student Resources.
Improved format, layout and labeling and easy to read and follow.
ADA Compliant Teacher Editions
ADA Compliant Student Editions
More About Digital
Carolina Science Online provides centralized access to all instructional resources, including videos, simulations, and multilingual text‑to‑speech supports.
Teacher access to Carolina Science Online is included with the purchase of curriculum kits.
Enhance students’ digital experience, while providing reporting to support instruction and administrative visibility, with student licenses.
Professional Learning
Access Smithsonian’s STCMS™ Get Ready! professional learning on your schedule
with on‑demand videos designed to jump‑start implementation. Follow three clear steps
to quickly build confidence, streamline setup, and bring high‑quality, three‑dimensional
science learning to your classroom. Link
Revolutionizing the future of STEM learning
Learning Framework
A coherent NGSS‑designed framework that drives middle schoolers from curiosity to sensemaking through hands‑on investigations—powered by 12 flexible modules you can configure to fit any district model. Link to Learning Framework
Storylines
A coherent, grade‑level progression that turns big questions into purposeful exploration, guiding students through connected investigations that build real scientific understanding.
Proven Results
Backed by a five‑year LASER i3 study, STCMS delivers statistically significant gains in science—and boosts achievement in reading and math.
District and Teacher Resources
Teacher‑ready supports at every step—giving educators the tools, strategies, and confidence to bring 3D learning to life.
Explore Subjects
Awards and Recognition
