Science Curriculum Adoption Grades 7-8

Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) is a premier public school district in Arizona, inspiring excellence in learners for over 100 years. The (GPS) District Office is in the Town of Gilbert, which is a suburb of the greater Phoenix-Mesa area in the state of Arizona and Maricopa County. GPS is comprised of five (5) comprehensive high schools, five (5) comprehensive junior high schools, twenty-five (25) comprehensive elementary schools, one (1) alternative learning high school, and three (3) non-traditional academies servicing approximately 30,000 students. Supported by approximately 4,000 teachers and operational staff, GPS prioritizes academic rigor, critical thinking, and college and career readiness across all grade levels. The District offices include the District Administration Complex at 140 S Gilbert Road as well as Technology Services and Security located at Greenfield Road and Elliot Road, and Maintenance and Operations, and Community Education facilities located near Power Road and Guadalupe Road. The District operates on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year. Academic Excellence & Recognition — GPS is widely recognized for academic leadership across the state and nation: "A" Rated District by the Arizona Department of Education. A+ Schools of Excellence awarded across multiple campuses by the Arizona Educational Foundation. National Blue Ribbon Schools and College Board AP Honor Roll District distinctions. Instructional Philosophy & PLC Framework — District science curriculum is aligned with the Arizona Science Standards, prioritizing phenomenon-driven, Three-Dimensional (3D) Learning that integrates Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs). Rather than learning about science in isolation, students act as scientists and engineers—actively investigating real-world phenomena, engaging in discourse, and designing solutions to cultivate deep scientific literacy and critical sense-making.