Sally Ride Science Key Concepts

PASCO and Sally Ride have teamed to bring together the best of both worlds . . . the discovery-based, interactive learning environment of SPARKscience with the rich science content produced by the educational team at Sally Ride Science. Together they create an integrated, standards-based program for 21st century science for grades 4-8.

The approach of Key Concepts program is to explore the Big Ideas in Physical Science, Life Science and Earth Science.

The Key Concepts program is focused on giving teachers the tools they need to improve science education in the classroom. But it is also focused on opening students eyes to the vast opportunities that are available to them. To that end, both the books and SPARKlabs strive to help students develop a personal connection to science. Connecting the concepts being explored in each science to the real lives and work of scientists and engineers provide students with a look at the variety of career paths available in science, technology, engineering and math.

View a brief but comprehensive rundown of each Key Concepts solution including each lab activity, the concepts covered and the equipment used:

The Benefits of Key Concepts

Go deep - In-depth coverage of the Big Ideas in physical science, life science and earth science through original student books and hands-on investigations
Learn by doing - guided-inquiry lab activities stimulate discovery and reflection
Make it meaningful - students connect the science they are studying to the work and lives of real scientists

US State content and assessment standards, US national standards, Canada and England standards.

See our Standards Correlations for this curriculum

Getting Started

The Book Set - 12 titles, each exploring a Big Idea in Earth Science. Each of the twelve books in the series deepens student understanding about a fundamental topic of earth science with stunning photography, colorful illustration and most importantly, engaging narrative. Each book in the set is designed to be accompanied by highly interactive SPARKlabs which foster student discovery and allow them to build an understanding of these key concepts.
The Teacher Kit - A classroom license of both SPARKvue software and all 48 SPARKlabs for Key Concepts in Earth Science. SPARKlabs are fully integrated, hands-on activities. From background information and setup instructions to data collection and reflection, the entire student experience takes place seamlessly and in real time through the power of SPARKscience.
The Student Station - All of the sensors necessary to perform the SPARKlabs for either an interface to connect to an existing computer or a SPARK science learning system for use as a standalone solution.

Book Set

Key Concepts in Earth Science Classroom Book Set (PS-2322)

Six copies each of 12 books exploring big ideas in earth science. Complete with stunning photography, colorful illustrations and compelling narrative.

Teacher Kits

Sally Ride Science Key Concepts Teacher Kit for MS Earth Science (with SPARK Charging Station) (PS-2419)

Resources and a classroom license for use of Sally Ride Key Concepts in Earth Science AND a charging station for classrooms using SPARKs

Sorry, this product has been discontinued.

Includes

SPARKvue Classroom License
Earth Science SPARKlabs Classroom License
SPARKlink (PS-2009)
SPARK Charging Station (PS-2570)

Student Stations

Sally Ride Science Key Concepts in Earth Science Student Station (PS-2345)

Equip one student station with the probeware required to complete the Key Concepts in Earth Science labs.

Includes

USB Camera Microscope (PS-2343)
PASPORT 6-in-1 Weather Sensor (PS-2154A)
PASPORT Light Level Sensor (PS-2177)
PASPORT Sensor Extension Cable (PS-2500)
PASPORT pH Sensor (PS-2102)
PASPORT Fast Response Temperature Probe (3 pack) (PS-2135)
PASPORT Force Sensor (PS-2104)
PASPORT Conductivity Sensor (PS-2116A)
PASPORT Temperature Sensor (PS-2125)

Accessories

Key Concepts in Earth Science Accessory Kit (PS-2346)

Includes additional items for use with Sally Ride Science's Key Concepts in Earth Science SPARKlab activities.

Includes

10-ohm Resistor
Basic Rock and Mineral Kit (PS-2347)
1 W Solar Cell (SE-8847)
Wire Coil
GOcar (ME-6951)

Key Concepts in Earth Science SPARKlabs (PS-2387)

Guided-inquiry Key Concepts in Earth Science SPARKlab activities for SPARK Science Learning System on a flash drive with 48 labs, Teacher Guide, and Teacher Lab Notes.

Labs

Sally Ride Science Key Concepts in Earth Science SPARKlabs

The Book Set - 12 titles, each exploring a Big Idea in Life Science. Each of the twelve books in the series deepens student understanding about a fundamental topic of life science with stunning photography, colorful illustration and most importantly, engaging narrative. Each book in the set is designed to be accompanied by highly interactive SPARKlabs which foster student discovery and allow them to build an understanding of these key concepts.
The Teacher Kit - A classroom license of both SPARKvue software and all 48 SPARKlabs for Key Concepts in Life Science. SPARKlabs are fully integrated, hands-on activities. From background information and setup instructions to data collection and reflection, the entire student experience takes place seamlessly and in real time through the power of SPARKscience.
The Student Station - All of the sensors necessary to perform the SPARKlabs for either an interface to connect to an existing computer or a SPARK science learning system for use as a standalone solution.

Book Set

Key Concepts in Life Science Classroom Book Set (PS-2348)

Six copies each of 12 books exploring big ideas in life science. Complete with stunning photography, colorful illustrations and compelling narrative.

Teacher Kits

Sally Ride Science Key Concepts Teacher Kit for MS Life Science (with SPARK Charging Station) (PS-2420)

Resources and a classroom license for use of Sally Ride Key Concepts in Life Science AND a charging station for classrooms using SPARKs

Sorry, this product has been discontinued.

Student Stations

Key Concepts in Life Science Student Station (PS-2365)

Equip one student station with the probeware required to complete the Key Concepts in Life Science labs.

Accessories

Sally Ride Science Key Concepts Life Science Accessory Kit (PS-2422)

Includes additional items for use with Sally Ride Science's Key Concepts in Life Science SPARKlab activities.

Includes

EcoChamber (ME-6667)
Metabolism Chamber (ME-6936)
Genetics Modeling Kit (SE-2071)

Key Concepts in Life Science SPARKlabs (PS-2361)

Guided-inquiry Key Concepts in Life Science SPARKlab activities for SPARK Science Learning System on a flash drive with 48 labs, Teacher Guide, and Teacher Lab Notes.

Labs

Sally Ride Science Key Concepts in Life Science SPARKlabs

Adaptations

Going Underground

Leaf Lessons

Nature's Overcoat

One Thing Leads to Another

Variations, Invariably

Biodiversity

A Small, Small World

Fungus Among Us

Healthy Soil, Healthy World

The Long and Short of It

What's for Lunch?

Cells

Form and Function

Growth Factor

Life, Up Close and Personal

Sized for Survival

The Meaning of Life

Genetics

A Tale of Two Traits

A Telling Twist

Just My Type

Life's Instruction Book

The Chain Gang

Organic Molecules

Plant and Animal Systems

The Biosphere

Home on the Biome

Solar-Powered Planet

Some Like It Hot

Flowering Plants

Go With the Phloem

Green Machines

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Food Webs

Clean-Up Crew

Pass the Energy, Please

Who's on First?

Life Cycles

A Double Life

Copies and Clones

The Waiting Game

Photosynthesis and Respiration

Energy Grabber

Wastes Away

Vertebrates

Finger Food

Sensitive Creatures

Warm and Fuzzy

Getting Started

The Book Set - 12 titles, each exploring a Big Idea in Physical Science. Each of the twelve books in the series deepens student understanding about a fundamental topic of physical science with stunning photography, colorful illustration and most importantly, engaging narrative. Each book in the set is designed to be accompanied by highly interactive SPARKlabs which foster student discovery and allow them to build an understanding of these key concepts.
The Teacher Kit - A classroom license of both SPARKvue software and all 48 SPARKlabs for Key Concepts in Physical Science. SPARKlabs are fully integrated, hands-on activities. From background information and setup instructions to data collection and reflection, the entire student experience takes place seamlessly and in real time through the power of SPARKscience.
The Student Station - All of the sensors necessary to perform the SPARKlabs for either an interface to connect to an existing computer or a SPARK science learning system for use as a standalone solution.

Book Set

Key Concepts in Physical Science Classroom Book Set (PS-2366)

Six copies each of 12 books exploring big ideas in physical science. Complete with stunning photography, colorful illustrations and compelling narrative.

Teacher Kits

Sally Ride Science Key Concepts Teacher Kit for MS Physical Science (with SPARK Charging Station) (PS-2421)

Resources and a classroom license for use of Sally Ride Key Concepts in Physical Science AND a charging station for classrooms using SPARKs

Sorry, this product has been discontinued.

Student Stations

Key Concepts in Physical Science SPARKlabs (PS-2383)

Guided-inquiry Key Concepts in Physical Science Science SPARKlab activities for SPARK Science Learning System on a flash drive with 48 labs, Teacher Guide, and Teacher Lab Notes.

Accessories

Key Concepts in Physical Science Accessory Kit (PS-2386)

Includes additional items for use with Sally Ride Science's Key Concepts in Physical Science SPARKlab activities.

Key Concepts in Physical Science SPARKlabs (PS-2383)

Guided-inquiry Key Concepts in Physical Science Science SPARKlab activities for SPARK Science Learning System on a flash drive with 48 labs, Teacher Guide, and Teacher Lab Notes.