Full-Year NGSS-Aligned STEM Curriculum & Instructional System (Grades 1–5)

Comprehensive elementary STEM curriculum designed for district-wide implementation

Full Year of Lessons: A single Google tool houses slide decks with comprehensive teacher instructions and student-facing resources, including printables and visuals, designed to support concept development and instructional delivery.

Lessons Aligned to Standards: Grade-level lessons with consistent structure and pacing

Student Activities: Hands-on projects supporting exploration and application

Materials & Manipulatives: Unit-specific resources designed for classroom use

Overview

Designed a full-year NGSS-aligned STEM curriculum for grades 1–5 that delivers a cohesive instructional system across classrooms and schools. The curriculum supports hands-on learning through coordinated lesson plans, student materials, manipulatives, and teacher supports aligned to district goals and pacing.

Adam the Atom

Meet Adam!

Adam is tiny.

Adam moves.

Adam is everywhere!

Zoomed-In Example

Millions of atoms make up one object. Atoms have energy and always move.

Atoms are very tiny. You can’t see them with your eyes. Scientists use models to study and understand things that are very small in our world.

Design Note: Adam is a representational tool. This visual supports students’ understanding that all matter is made of very small parts and that atoms are in constant motion, preparing them for particle-model learning in later grades.

The Challenge

The curriculum was developed from scratch using NGSS standards as the primary anchor. With no existing templates or instructional system, the work required intentional vertical sequencing, alignment to district literacy calendars, and development of scalable structures to support consistent implementation across schools.

Results & Learnings

The final product delivered a fully structured, NGSS-aligned STEM program that educators could implement with clarity and confidence. Teachers reported improved consistency, increased student engagement, and reduced planning time due to clearly defined templates, materials lists, and instructional guidance.