The SABES in-school curriculum consists of 30 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) units (4-6 per grade level) in grades K through 5, which are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. 

The SABES in-school curriculum is currently being updated to reflect new, phenomenon-based learning and reach grades Kindergarten through grade 5 in addition to the current grade levels. 

Each unit focuses on a topic from the life sciences, physical sciences, or earth and space sciences, and: 

  • integrates science, technology, engineering, math, and literacy 
  • challenges students to draw their own conclusions about a science concept through investigation 
  • features engaging, hands-on activities 
  • begins with an enticing fiction story and features several nonfiction texts throughout 
  • follows the 5E Learning Cycle Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) 
  • ends with an engineering design challenge related to the science topic 
  • makes learning STEM fun! 

 After completion in April 2024, each unit will have a teacher’s guide with the lessons plans and hyperlinks to all student resources, PowerPoint, media, and assessments. All lessons have been aligned with NGSS, Common Core Literacy Standards, Engineering and Design process, and researched-based instructional practices. 

See SABES in action

Building instructional leaders in science. - Hear from school and classroom leaders about professional development, reframing science instruction, and building capacity in schools for sustainable implementation.

SABES Units

Kindergarten – 4 units 

  • Think Like an Engineer – 27 lessons 
  • Plants & Animals – 21 lessons 
  • Miniature Golf – 31 lessons 
  • Weather & Climate – 28 lessons 

1st grade – 4 units 

  • Wonders of Life – 25 lessons 
  • Calls of the Wild – 27 lessons 
  • Sunrise, Sunset – 27 lessons 
  • Can You See the Light? – 21 lessons

2nd grade – 4 units 

  • What do Plants Need? – 19 lessons 
  • What’s the Matter – 25 lessons 
  • The Changing Earth – 29 lessons 
  • Oysters of the Chesapeake – 28 lessons

3rd grade – 6 units 

  • Insect Encounter – 28 lessons 
  • Magnetism – 22 lessons 
  • What Makes Me, Me? – 20 lessons 
  • Survival of the Fittest – 23 lessons 
  • Sheep in a Jeep – 21 lessons 
  • Weather Watchers- 21 lessons

4th grade – 6 Units 

  • It’s Electric – 25 lessons 
  • Music to My Ears – 21 lessons 
  • Runaway Train – 19 lessons 
  • Extreme Earth – 25 lessons 
  • Happy Trails – 20 lessons 
  • Hot! Hot! Hot! – 21 lessons

5th grade – 6 units 

  • Patterns in the Sky – 28 lessons 
  • Earth’s Systems – 24 lessons 
  • Save the Bay – 22 lessons 
  • Missing Matter – 21 lessons 
  • Amazing Adaptations – 21 lessons 
  • Conserving Earth’s Resources – 21 lessons

Professional Development

SABES Professional Development for Classroom Teachers: STEM Academies

Teachers using SABES in-school curriculum users are asked to attend Professional Development taught by Baltimore City STEM Master Teachers, focusing on content that is necessary for elementary teachers to understand in order to reveal and disarm students’ most common misconceptions about STEM. Professional Development is offered through City Schools’ Science Department.

SABES in the Hub