Virginia Science Activities, Models & Simulations (SAMS)
Activities engage students in practices that are essential for learning science through inquiry. The activities involve asking questions or defining problems, using models or sensors, collecting data, interpreting results, using mathematics, technology and computational thinking, constructing explanations, and designing solutions based on evidence. The activities also link science concepts to science careers.
Models and simulations are identified as those that may be used in stand-alone situations. These may be used by teachers, indicated by a T, for demonstration purposed or by students, indicated by an S, as they work independently or in small groups.
To use these resources to their fullest capacity, please go to the ITSU-SU portal to register. The ITSI-SU portal is open and available to all. If you have questions about the portal, please contact itsisu@concord.org.
The Virginia Science Activities, Models and Simulations project engages students in middle and high school in practices that are essential for learning science through inquiry. The activities involve asking questions or defining problems, using models or sensors, collecting data, interpreting results, using mathematics, technology and computational thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions based on evidence.
These activities, models and simulations are correlated to the 2010 Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework and are also organized by standard as stand-alone tools.
Resources by Grade/Subject
- Grade 6 Science (Word)
- Life Science (Word)
- Physical Science (Word)
- Earth Science (Word)
- Biology (Word)
- Chemistry (Word)
- Physics (Word)
Getting Started
A variety of supports are included to assist with the use ITSI-SU portal. The video tutorials and help contents will help maximize the use of these instructional resources.
Video Tutorials
Launching the Portal
Help Contents
The SAMS project is a partnership between VDOE, Longwood University’s Institute for Teaching Technology through Innovative Practices (ITTIP) and the Concord Consortium.
The activities, models and simulations were developed by teachers participating in the Innovative Technology in Science Inquiry Scale Up (ITSI-SU) project funded by the National Science Foundation.