Teacher guide

Make room for a good question.

Use Physica for guided investigation, independent practice, or a conversation around evidence. Its four grade pathways provide 89 missions and 46 experimental models. The interactive coverage map connects learning targets, mission investigations, and transfer activities.

A practical lesson sequence

1. Discuss the phenomenon and ask learners to make a prediction.
2. Identify the changed variable and the conditions held constant.
3. Record at least two different fair trials, including a trial that meets the design target.
4. Ask learners to cite their measurements in a claim, evidence, and reasoning explanation.
5. Use the understanding checks for feedback, then review the explanation and carry out the transfer activity.

What completion means

Mission completion records a prediction, controlled comparison, successful model trial, written explanation, and two correct concept checks after any retries. It does not establish mastery of every dimension of an NGSS expectation. The written explanation is not automatically evaluated for scientific accuracy.

Review whether the learner identifies the changed variable, uses actual trial values, explains the pattern with an appropriate principle, recognizes model limits, and applies the idea to a new context. A correct numerical target alone is insufficient evidence of understanding.

Scope and assessment boundaries

The program maps all physical-science PS1–PS4 and engineering-design ETS1 expectations within K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. Astronomy support covers 1-ESS1-1–2, 5-ESS1-1–2, MS-ESS1-1–3, and HS-ESS1-1–4. Geology and most life-science expectations are outside this physics program.

High-school extensions include measurement uncertainty, vectors, kinematics, projectiles, torque, rotational inertia, oscillations, fluid pressure, thermodynamics, DC circuits, capacitors, optics, wave superposition, Doppler effects, and special relativity. The curriculum is NGSS-referenced; no NGSS certification or educational award is claimed.

Supporting younger learners

For K–2, read prompts aloud, use the model’s visible changes and simple comparisons, and help children dictate an explanation. Introduce units gradually. Hands-on investigations should use age-appropriate materials and adult supervision. Virtual electrical, chemical, nuclear, and high-energy experiments are not instructions for reproducing those setups physically.

Records, review, and accessibility

The notebook contains recorded measurements and explanations, with downloadable text and JSON backups. Review prompts use increasing intervals after successful recall. Multiple learner profiles can share a device, but are not access-controlled accounts. Keyboard inputs, reduced animation, and optional sound support different needs.

Standards source: Next Generation Science Standards. Supporting references: OpenStax Physics, Chemistry 2e, and Astronomy 2e.