Science Curriculum
At Headwaters, we think every classroom deserves access to high quality science education, and every teacher deserves the tools to make that happen without hours of extra prep. That’s why we’ve made our full library of Student Driven Research curriculum free for educators.
Curriculum and Project Packets
Each project packet includes a ready-to-use lesson plan, materials list, and student investigation pages, so you can bring authentic, inquiry-based science into your classroom with everything already built for you.
Elementary (Grades K-6)
These lessons introduce younger scientists to the building blocks of research: making observations, collecting data, and drawing conclusions from evidence. Students design insect habitats, model predator-prey relationships, investigate what makes flowers attractive to pollinators, and even invent brand-new animal species, all while strengthening their critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills.
- Student Driven Research
- Animal Adaptations & Biomimicry
- Build a Bug
- Habitat Engineering Design Challenge
- Modeling Predator-Prey Interactions
- New Animal Discovery
- Predator-Prey Interactions
- Exploring Changing Environments
- Exploring Ideas, Evidence, and Conclusions
- Exploring Pollinators
- Exploring Population Dynamics
Secondary (Grades 6-12)
These investigations invite older students into real scientific research using authentic data and current environmental questions. Each investigation builds the data analysis, hypothesis-testing, and evidence-based reasoning skills at the heart of NGSS and AP science standards.
Interactive Video Lessons
Want to take your classroom to the next level? Pair the curriculum packets with our interactive video lessons featuring real working scientists to bring your classroom even closer to the field.
Click to access our video lessons
Get free interactive video science lessons. These include activities for grades K-6, mini science challenge projects, video lessons for complete high school research projects, and more.
Want to support future curriculum development?
If you are financially able, please consider making a donation to support the creation of these materials!
Looking for something specific?
We’re happy to help! Schedule a meeting by emailing jenn@headwatersscienceinstitute.org to discuss how we can provide specific lessons, curriculum, or programs for your class.
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