About STC Program™ Unit Kits for Grades 6-8
Science and Technology Concepts for Middle Schools™ (STC/MS™) is an 8-module, inquiry-centered, middle school science curriculum developed by the National Science Resources Center (NSRC). Each STC/MS module provides opportunities for students to experience scientific phenomena firsthand. A comprehensive, research-based curriculum, STC/MS is aligned with the National Science Education Standards (NSES) of the National Research Council (NRC).
Each STC/MS module is based on a four-stage learning
cycle that is grounded in educational research and
practice:
First, students focus on what they already know
about a topic.
Next, students explore a scientific phenomenon
or concept, following a well-structured sequence of
classroom investigations.
Third, students reflect on their observations,
record them in science journals, draw conclusions,
and share their findings with others.
Finally, students apply their learning to
real-life situations and to other areas of the
curriculum.
The STC/MS program builds
on the skills and knowledge developed in the STC™
curriculum, with content balanced among the life
sciences, earth sciences, physical sciences, and
technology. Each module is developed by teachers,
scientists, and evaluators and is field-tested in
urban, suburban, and rural classrooms nationwide.
The materials are professionally evaluated and
reviewed by an advisory panel of teachers,
scientists, and science educators before
publication.
