Early Elementary

At this age, Science Unlocked is intentionally interdisciplinary. Each year introduces students to four science disciplines
rather than focusing on a single discipline, giving young learners broad exposure to science before they begin studying individual
disciplines in greater depth. Each year includes six modules, with science materials, a Student Workbook, and a Teacher Guide.

What to expect at this level

  • Each year includes six modules, typically completed at a pace of about one per month.
  • Parent involvement: Plan to work alongside your student throughout each module.
  • Across the three years, students are introduced to all five science disciplines without focusing on a single subject for an entire year.
  • Siblings guidance: Siblings can complete a module together and share the included science materials. Each student should have their own Student Workbook so they can record their own observations and responses.
Upper Elementary

In Upper Elementary, Science Unlocked shifts from interdisciplinary science to a full year focused on a single discipline.
Students go deeper into each discipline and begin taking their own measurements and collecting data.
Each curriculum includes six modules, with science materials, a Student Workbook, and a Teacher Guide.

What to expect at this level

  • Students in grades 3-5 can begin with any of the three curricula, but we recommend this sequence based on the progression of concepts and the level of work expected at each grade.
  • Data guidance: Students take a more active role in collecting and interpreting their own data at this level.
  • Materials/safety: Review the materials and safety information for each module before getting started. Some activities require adult supervision, access to the kitchen, a hot glue gun, or specific laboratory materials.
Middle School

Middle School begins with two years of single-discipline science before transitioning students to high school-level work. 
Each module includes science materials, a Student Workbook, and a Teacher Guide.

What to expect at this level

  • At this stage, students will require less parental assistance and demonstrate greater independence in their work.
  • Earth & Space intentionally combines middle- and high-school-level standards to prepare students for the expectations of high-school science.
  • Scheduling guidance: Follow the recommended timelines and avoid putting these activities off until the end of the school year.
High School

High school Science Unlocked includes three full-year courses—Biology, Chemistry, and Physics—plus a half-year Advanced Engineering course (coming soon).
The three full-year courses include nine modules and 130-140 hours of lab and activity work, with science materials, a Student Workbook, and a Teacher Guide included.
These courses are designed for the depth and workload expected of high school laboratory science.

8th/9th

Earth & Space

A full year of earth and space science designed to bridge middle- and high-school-level work. With nine modules, real rock specimens, and a spectroscope, it can be taken in 8th grade or as a student’s first high-school science course.

9th/10th

Biology

A full year of high-school biology with complete NGSS life science coverage. Your student completes a kidney dissection and works with live organisms and plants, collecting and analyzing data from observations that develop over time.

10th/11th

Chemistry

A full year of high-school chemistry with a strong emphasis on quantitative work. Your student uses calculations to solve problems involving stoichiometry, molarity, percent composition, and other core chemistry concepts.

11th/12th

Physics

A full year of high-school physics with a strong emphasis on mathematical reasoning. Your student measures forces, fields, and waves, calculates the quantities that describe them, and uses models to explain how physical systems behave.

What to expect at this level

  • If your student has not completed Earth & Space, we recommend beginning with Earth & Space in 9th grade and shifting Biology, Chemistry, and Physics by one grade level.
  • Lab materials and prep guidance: High School courses use real laboratory chemicals, specimens, and instruments, and some activities require access to a kitchen. Review the individual module pages before beginning to review specific materials, safety requirements, and any math background students will need.
  • Research component: Research is incorporated throughout the High School courses. Students will need access to reliable online or library resources, as well as time to conduct research, evaluate information, and complete independent work alongside their laboratory activities.
  • (Coming soon) Adv. Engineering guidance: Advanced Engineering is a half-year course with four modules rather than nine, so it is not designed to fill a full school year on its own. It can be used as a semester-long elective or paired with other coursework to round out the year.

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Hear from families like yours

    • The Keys to Life Module Inspired my son's interest in biology

      “This biology curriculum is designed for Wonder Year 2. It does exactly that - spark wonder. My son is in the first grade. He mostly independently worked through the guide as I sat beside him and helped/discussed as needed. He experienced many engaging and complex concepts at an appropriate level for his age. . He observed how the amount of water impacts seed growth; he dissected an owl pellet exploring relationships in a food chain; he designed animal homes. He is now looking forward to building a habitat for living things as a culminating activity.”

      — Jennifer

    • My kids LOVE Science Unlocked

      “They love that it is interactive and hands on with easy to understand text. The colorful workbooks that are scientific method oriented make it so that they develop a scientific mind instead of just being spoon fed information they will eventually forget. Also, the customer service from this company is incredible!”

      — Dayna M.

    • My Daughter LOVES the hands-on component of this curriculum.

      “I bought a couple of stand alone kits before investing in an entire course. I have been using Chemistry Accelerate with my middle school student since the beginning of the school year. It is easy to use - everything is included. The content is deep enough to be useful but not so deep that my child is overwhelmed. And she LOVES the hands-on component of this curriculum. If you have a student who learns best by DOING, this curriculum will give you convenient tools to perform the experiments and learn for the results.”

      — Cindy P.

    • My son loves science again!

      “I am currently using the physics accelerate kit with my 11 year old son. He was previously using the Building Blocks of Science which were beautiful books and explained the information very well. However the workbook required a lot of information be looked up in other places and there was no answer key which made it difficult for anyone else to help him with the work. He also was constantly asking for more experiments. Now he is excited for science every day. He loves that almost every single day he has an experiment to perform and he is retaining the information much better than he was with our previous program. He is clearly a hands on learner! Also he is very hyperactive and with this kit the lessons are broken down into small chunks lasting usually 30-45 minutes with much of that time being hands on. He loves it and we look forward to using the science subjects and then moving onto the high school level curriculums.”

      — Kristina G.

    • Zero prep and fun!

      “These kits come with every item. No chasing down a ruler, matches, marker, paperclip. It is truly open and go hands-on science. There is typically an introductory experiment followed by a short reading passage. Then an additional experiment and another passage, and so on. There are about a half dozen experiments per box. We have used Accelerate and Launch for our kids in 5th, 6th, and 8th grade. I would say the launch boxes are closer to a 7th-9th grade level. I would definitely supplement with a science textbook for high school. ”

      — Christina