What is STC/MS™?
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.

View the alignment of STC® and STC/MS™ Science Curriculum Modules (PDF Download)

The modules can be sequenced for 2 one-year courses, each year consisting of a module from each of the 4 science/technology strands, or as 4 one-semester courses for earth science, life science, physical science, and technology.

Module Features
Everything needed to teach an STC/MS module—teacher’s guide, student books, and the equipment and materials to conduct each lesson’s inquiries—is available from Carolina.

STC/MS Student Guides
The reusable student guides contain background information, step-by-step instructions that guide students through their classroom inquiries, reading selections, safety tips, and a glossary.

STC/MS Teacher’s Guides
The STC/MS teacher’s guides provide background material on science and pedagogy, guidance on the preparation and setup of kit materials, and detailed instructions for facilitating classroom science investigations. They also include master copies of student record sheets and other materials, suggestions for relating science to other areas of the curriculum, and assessment strategies, tools, and scoring rubrics. In addition, each STC/MS teacher’s guide contains a matrix showing the alignment of that module’s content to the NSES content standards for grades 5-8. How the module correlates to other aspects of the national standards (the history of science, personal and social perspectives, etc.) are addressed as well.

STC/MS Kits
Each STC/MS one-class kit comes in large, durable plastic containers with hinged, lockable lids and equips one class of 32 students (except for some items commonly found at home or school). The kit includes:

	Base Equipment (materials that can be shared by more than one class of students if the module is taught to multiple classes)
	1 Material Set (items that cannot be shared by more than one class; not all STC/MS modules have a Material Set)
	1 Refurbishment Set (items that will be used up during instruction)
	1 Teacher’s Guide, and
	16 Student Guides (nonconsumable).

Each element can be ordered separately. Items used up during instruction can be replenished quickly and easily by purchasing a Refurbishment Set, or by ordering the needed kit components individually.

Module Availability
All module kits are available for purchase.

	To place an order - call 800-334-5551 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, M–F); fax 800-222-7112 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), or mail (Carolina Biological Supply Company, P.O. Box 6010, Burlington, NC 27216-6010).
	To ask questions about any STC/MS item - call 800-227-1150 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, M–F) or email stcms@carolina.com.