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Author: Candace Penrod

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Title: Information Item

Date:                  October 3, 2025

To:                  Grade 7-8 Administrators

From:                 Dr. Candace Penrod, District Science Supervisor

Subject:        Amplify Science 7/8 Implementation and Support

 Summary:

Salt Lake City School District is excited to have Amplify Science materials in all middle school science classrooms.  The district has made a significant financial and curricular commitment to these highly quality instructional materials that support Utah’s Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards middle school science classrooms.  The expectation is that the materials are now in use in all middle school science classrooms with the following district support: The

  1. The District Science Pacing Guide for 7th Grade   supports the systemic implementation of the new Amplify Science materials to support the SEEd Standards.
  2. The District Science Pacing Guide for 8th Grade supports systemic implementation of the new Amplify Science materials to support the SEEd Standards.
  3. A District Science Coach is available to visit your site and assist your teachers in getting started with the on-line and physical materials.  Contact Candace Penrod if you and your teachers would benefit from a site visit.
  4. The monthly Cross-District Middle School PLC meetings for middle school science are designed to support our teachers in the implementation of Amplify Science.
  5. Training sessions with an Amplify Science trainer will be available to support 7/8 grade science teachers with implementation of units, assessments, and assignments. More information will be forthcoming.

Rationale: 

The implementation of high-quality instructional materials is a priority for Salt Lake                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           City School District. Amplify Science for middle school was identified by our MS Science Materials Adoption Committee as a high-quality resource to support the implementation of the Utah SEEd Standards. Amplify Science includes hands-on materials, simulations, support for English Learners, support for Special Education, and opportunities for all students to engage with phenomenon-driven science instruction. The district-wide use of common high-quality materials supports all learners have access to high-quality science instruction.

Additionally, the use of the District Science Pacing Guide is also an expectation, as it provides continuity and support across the district for teachers and students. Our Cross-District Middle School Science PLC will focus on supporting teachers’ instruction and student work aligned with the District Pacing Guide.  It is the expectation moving forward that with the adoption and use of district materials, classroom instruction will be aligned by Strand (topic/unit) across the district according to the District Science Pacing Guide. This will create a more cohesive system of science education to support all learners and District Priorities and curricular goals.

Expectations for Implementation: 

  1. Communication
  • Middle School Administrators will communicate expectations and rationale to teachers regarding the use of the District Science Pacing Guide and the implementation of Amplify Science in all middle school classrooms.
  1. Collaboration: 
  1. Evaluation
  • Number of students using Amplify Materials; RISE scores; PLC data

Keywords: science, seventh grade, eighth grade, pacing guide, Amplify Science, SEEd standards

Published on

Title: Information Item

Date:                  October 3, 2025

To:                        Grade 6 Administrators

From:                 Dr. Candace Penrod, District Science Supervisor

Subject:        Amplify Science 6 Support & Implementation

Summary:

Amplify Science materials to support the Grade 6 Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards have been shipped to all schools. We are excited to begin our supported launch and implementation. To support all 6th grade teachers, whether at an elementary or a middle school, we offer the follow guidance: 

  1. The District Science Pacing Guide for Sixth Grade science will support a systemic implementation of the new Amplify Science materials to support the SEEd Standards.
  2. A District Science Coach can visit your site and assist your teachers in getting started with the on-line and physical materials.  Contact Candace Penrod if you and your teachers would benefit from a site visit.
  3. We will be offering Sixth Grade Amplify Science Zoom Support meetings on Friday October 3 from 2:30-3:00 PM and Tuesday October 21 from 3:00-3:30 PM.
  4. Training sessions for each upcoming Strand will be offered so that teachers can meet with an Amplify trainer and prepare for upcoming units. We are working out the specific dates, but do have a general timeframe for each training: 
  5. Strand 6.2/Thermal Energy Unit-November TBD
  6. Strand 6.3/Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Unit-January TBD
  7. Strand 6.4/Populations and Ecosystems Unit-March TBD

Note: These sessions will be offered during the school day.  We are grateful for your support, as we know the first year of any implementation is critical to the success of the implementation.

Rationale: 

 It is VERY IMPORTANT that your sixth-grade teachers follow the District Pacing Guide, as we will be offering support based on the pacing guide. It is the expectation moving forward that with the adoption and use of district materials, classroom instruction will be aligned by Strand (topic/unit) across the district according to the District Science Pacing Guide. We seek to build a more cohesive system of science education to support all learners and District Priorities and curricular goals. Thus, we are requiring teachers to teach from the Strand indicated on the pacing guide for the articulated timeframe and do realize that this may be an adjustment for some teachers.

Expectations for Implementation: 

  1. Communication
  • Sixth Grade teachers have also received this information in an email. Principals are responsible for ensuring that sixth grade teachers are aware of the support offered and the importance of adhering to the District Science Pacing Guide for 6th grade science.  
  1. Collaboration: 
  1. Evaluation
  • Number of students using Amplify Materials; RISE scores; PLC data

Keywords: science, sixth grade, pacing guide, Amplify Science, SEEd standards

Published on

Summary: On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the SLCSD approved the purchase of Amplify Science for all 6-8 science classrooms in SLCSD. Principals will receive more information regarding ordering materials for teachers. Amplify Science materials are comprehensive and align with the Utah Science with Engineering Education Standards. Amplify Science materials include:

  1. Classroom Kits- hands on and printed classroom display materials
  2. Print Materials- student investigation notebooks with article companions and print teacher guides
  3. Digital Tools- digital teacher’s guide; digital student experience; videos; simulations; and engineering internships
  4. Assessments- pre/end-of unit assessments; critical juncture assessments; on the fly assessments; benchmark assessments.

Middle school principals will be ordering materials for each science educator in the building. Elementary principals will also be able to order materials for each sixth-grade teacher or for a teacher who teaches all sixth-grade science in the building. More information about ordering is forthcoming. Please contact Candace Penrod if you have any questions.

Keywords: science materials; 6-8 grade; Amplify Science

Published on

Summary:

For the past four years, we have leveraged ESSER funding to support K-5 science materials in every K-5 classroom. This included a Mystery Science digital license for every K-5 teacher, as well as Mystery Packs with hands-on materials.

This year, our funding stream has changed, which has necessitated changes in what the district can provide. We are excited to announce that the district WILL be purchasing a Mystery Science digital for every K-5 teacher during the 2025-2026 school year. We regret that we cannot fund the purchase of additional Mystery Science Packs for the 2025-2026 school year.

We offer the following guidance for addressing hands-on science materials that support the Mystery Science digital lessons:

  1. Some teachers will have leftover materials from the previous years that can be used for the 2025-2026 school year.
  2. If funding permits, schools can purchase needed consumable materials to replenish Mystery Packs for teachers.  Please consult the K-5 materials lists to know what to order.
  3. If funding permits, schools may purchase Mystery Packs for teachers.

Please note, the science department has a limited supply of materials for new teachers that will be available in August. Please contact Candace Penrod on August 1, 2025, regarding possible materials for a new teacher (not guaranteed, as we are limited to only the items we have in stock).

Expectations for Implementation:

  1. Principals are responsible for reviewing the information and making decisions on how to handle hands-on science materials for the 2025-2026 school year.
  2. Principals are responsible for sharing the information with impacted staff in a clear and timely fashion.

     
  3. Collaboration:
    1. Contact Candace Penrod with any questions or concerns.
  4. Evaluation:
    1. The district will be conducting a formal adoption for elementary science materials during the 2025-2026 school year for the 2026-2027 school year.

Conclusion:

Thank you for your support in elementary science. Please reach out to Candace Penrod if you have any questions.

Keywords:  elementary materials; K-5; science materials; science kits; Mystery Science

Published on

Summary: 

We are excited to announce that the Science Materials Committee has completed a review of available curriculum and resources to adopt for grades 6-8. After reviewing all the submitted programs, the committee has selected two finalists. There will be a public open house for any educators or parents interested in previewing the materials.
 

The review committee included science teachers from grades 6-8, parents, and content area specialists.
 

  • What:  Science Programs for 6-8th Grades Open House
  • When:  Monday, May 5, 2025, from 3:00-7:00 PM
  • Where:  Riley Elementary School, 1410 South 800 West
  • Why:   Materials under recommendation from the 6-8 Science Materials Committee will be available to the public for viewing. After the open house, the cost of both programs will be scored and a final decision on one program will be made. It is anticipated that the materials will be in classrooms at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.
     

Expectations for Implementation:


1.  Communication:

  • The information has been sent to all 6th grade teachers and middle school science teachers.
  • The district will send this information to parents.

2.  Collaboration:

  • Candace Penrod, District Science Supervisor, 801-578-8301

3.  Timeline:
 

  • The Open House will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025.
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