The Materials Gap

Wonder is the spark that lights the way to genuine, lifelong learning—igniting curiosity that endures long after the bell rings. Yet too often that spark fades because the tools teachers need to sustain inquiry simply aren’t there. National reviews show the depth of the problem: of the science programs EdReports has evaluated, only 17 percent meet expectations for NGSS alignment while 69 percent fall short. A separate survey revealed 96 percent of teachers value standards‑aligned materials, but only 37 percent believe they have them.

This disconnect leaves educators stitching together handouts at midnight and students drifting through disconnected activities that never build toward mastery of the three NGSS dimensions. Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) become warm‑up tasks, Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) are too often treated as side notes, and the story of science is lost in the shuffle.

Syzygy Science is closing that gap by designing resources that put the framework—not the filler—first. Every forthcoming unit and lab begins with a real‑world phenomenon, then threads SEPs and CCCs through each investigation so students use the practices to make sense of concepts in context. Our August Biology Lab Manual (30 ready‑to‑teach labs) pairs, for example, protein‑folding models with the CCC pattern of structure and function; our “Living Rivers” project asks students to build and iterate water‑quality models, rooting data analysis and systems thinking in their own watershed.

Because time is a teacher’s scarcest resource, each lesson is field‑tested for a 15‑minute prep window, with formative prompts already mapped to the relevant practice and concept. The result is continuity that survives beyond a single “wow” moment and cultivates durable scientific habits of mind.

If your curriculum cupboard feels bare, join our pilot list or download the first sample lab next month. Let’s replace the materials gap with materials that work.

A New Chapter at Syzygy Science: Reliable Resources You Can Trust

At Syzygy Science, we’ve always believed in bringing real-world science into classrooms. Today, we’re excited to launch a new site—and a new era—that makes that mission even more tangible.

This site refresh isn’t just a new coat of paint. It’s a reflection of where we’re going: deeper into curriculum development, stronger in our partnerships, and more committed than ever to providing teachers with what they need to teach science effectively.

We’re proud to introduce two main offerings that will shape Syzygy’s next chapter:

• Curriculum Services: Custom curriculum writing and NGSS-aligned support for districts, nonprofits, and mission-driven companies who want to see their educational ideas make it to the classroom.

• NGSS Resource Library: A growing collection of ready-to-teach lab books, designed with clarity, ethical care, and explicit standard alignment in mind.

We’re starting strong with three cornerstone products, all in development:

1. A Non-Violent Forensics Curriculum
   Investigations that center healing, critical thinking, and scientific rigor—without the gore or sensationalism.

2. NGSS Biology Lab Book
   Thirty labs that tie life science practices to real phenomena, step-by-step, with teacher support built in.

3. NGSS Physics Lab Book
   Hands-on activities for motion, energy, and systems thinking—crafted to support inquiry and alignment in tandem.

These projects are more than just resources; they are a valuable asset. They’re a promise: that science education can be rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the real world in which students live.

We look forward to sharing more in the coming months. Stay tuned for curriculum previews, lab prototypes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into how these resources are built.

If you’re a district, school, or organization looking to bring your instructional ideas to life—or just a curious teacher ready for new tools—we’d love to talk.

Here’s to building what science education can be.
—The Syzygy Science Team