Put Phenomena in the Hands of California's
K–5 Students in 30-Minute Lessons
Awards and Recognition
Building Blocks of Science™ 3D – Adopted by the California Board of Education
- Students become STEM scientists who study, model, and explain science and real-world phenomena, and design solutions.
- Students engage in investigations where they DO the science and engineering of STEM careers.
- Investigations build skills in problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork—habits that real scientists have.
- Math and ELA connections are integrated into the inquiry science investigations through informational text, notebooking, and math skills.
Another great reason to use Building Blocks of Science—hands-on, inquiry-based instruction is proven to raise test scores in science, reading, and math!
What to expect with Building Blocks of Science 3D
- Investigations that can be completed in 20–30 minutes, providing flexibility for your busy classroom with 180 days of instruction.
- Easy-to-use Teacher’s Guides provide step-by-step preparation and instruction, background information, and tips from real classroom teachers.
- Access to over 900 digital resources K–5 – No Yearly Licensing Fees!
- Units that were designed explicitly for the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS), with anchoring phenomena that provide the main focus for the unit.
- Lessons designed around integration of the three dimensions of learning and the 5E instructional model.
- Students actively engaged in hands-on investigation and engineering design, cultivating interest in future STEM careers—every lesson, every unit.
To view each hands-on unit kit, click on the unit title within the Learning Framework.
Building Blocks of Science® 3D Curriculum Framework for California
| Kindergarten |
K-PS2-1; K-PS2-2 |
K-LS1-1; K-ESS2-2; K-ESS3-1; K-ESS3-3 |
K-PS3-1; K-PS3-2; K-ESS2-1; K-ESS3-2 |
| 1st Grade |
1-PS4-1; 1-PS4-2; 1-PS4-3; 1-PS4-4 |
1-LS1-1; 1-LS1-2; 1-LS3-1 |
1-ESS1-1; 1-ESS1-2 |
| 2nd Grade |
2-PS1-1; 2-PS1-2; 2-PS1-3; 2-PS1-4 |
2-LS2-1; 2-LS2-2; 2-LS4-1 |
2-PS1-1; 2-ESS1-1; 2-ESS2-1; 2-ESS2-2; 2-ESS2-3 |
| 3rd Grade |
3-PS2-1; 3-PS2-2; 3-PS2-3; 3-PS2-4 |
3-LS1-1; 3-LS2-1; 3-LS3-1; 3-LS3-2; 3-LS4-1; 3-LS4-2; 3-LS4-3; 3-LS4-4 |
3-ESS2-1; 3-ESS2-2; 3-ESS3-1 |
| 4th Grade |
4-PS3-1; 4-PS3-2; 4-PS3-3; 4-PS3-4; 4-PS4-1; 4-PS4-3; 4-ESS3-1 |
4-LS1-1; 4-LS1-2; 4-PS4-2 |
4-ESS1-1; 4-ESS2-1; 4-ESS2-2; 4-ESS3-2 |
| 5th Grade | Structure and Properties of Matter 5-PS1-1; 5-PS1-2; 5-PS1-3; 5-PS1-4 |
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems 5-PS3-1; 5-LS1-1; 5-LS2-1; 5-ESS2-1; 5-ESS3-1 |
5-PS2-1; 5-ESS1-1; 5-ESS1-2; 5-ESS2-1; 5-ESS2-2; 5-ESS3-1 |
*Note: Kit pricing on Carolina.com does not reflect California Adoption pricing.
Each Grades K–5 Kit Includes:
Digital and Print Resources
- Teacher’s Guide in print
- Student Readers in print (on- and below-grade)
- Interactive Digital Access through CarolinaScienceOnline.com
- Digital teacher’s edition
- Digital student readers (on- and below-grade, English and Spanish)
- Interactive Whiteboard activities, simulations, videos, digital student sheets, and more.
Update kit Includes:
- Digital and Print Resources
- Teacher’s Guide in print
- Class set of Student Readers in print (on- and below-grade)
Hands-on materials kit of choice (enough for 24 students K–2; 30 students 3–5):
- 1-Use Kit (with enough materials to teach one class one time)
- 3-Use Kit (with enough materials to teach one class three times)
Kits are easily refurbished! Building Blocks of Science refurbishment sets contain all the items used up while teaching the unit.
