California Science Curriculum
California science, aligned to the CA NGSS and built for CAST testing.
Browse by school level
Elementary School Science
Life, earth, and physical science strands, one course per grade.
Kindergarten Science
Living things, weather, and simple machines for kindergarten science.
1st Grade Science
Life cycles, properties of matter, and light and sound for 1st grade science.
2nd Grade Science
Animal diversity, states of matter, and forces for 2nd grade science.
3rd Grade Science
Ecosystems, simple machines, and landforms in 3rd grade science.
4th Grade Science
Animal senses, biomes, and states of matter for 4th grade science.
5th Grade Science
Human body systems, matter and energy, and ecosystems for 5th grade science.
Middle School Science
Matter, energy, ecosystems, and earth systems across 6th through 8th grade.
High School Science
Integrated science in 9th and 10th grade, built on the CA NGSS framework.
Aligned with the California CA NGSS
Each course follows the CA NGSS sequence and matches typical classroom pacing, so students find the exact phenomenon their teacher covered that week.
- Mapped to CA NGSS standards, grade by grade
- CAST and CAASPP review built into every course
- Unlimited practice problems with worked solutions
Science Curriculum by State
Select any other state to see its science courses and standards.
State Standards
CURRICULUM GUIDE
About the California Science Curriculum
How CA NGSS Works
California adopted its own version of NGSS, organizing science around phenomena, disciplinary core ideas, and science and engineering practices.
How California Differs
California integrates physical, life, and earth science across every grade band rather than separating them into single-discipline courses in middle school.
How California Science Progresses
Students build from hands-on observation in kindergarten through earth and life systems in middle school, reaching integrated physical science by 10th grade.
How California Assesses Science
California tests science in 5th and 8th grade through CAASPP, and at the high school level through the CAST, based on real CA NGSS performance expectations.
Common Questions from California Parents
We've got answers to some popular questions.
Which grades does StudyPug cover for California science?
StudyPug covers California science from Kindergarten through 10th grade, across elementary, middle, and high school bands.
How do I find the course that matches my child's class?
Browse by grade - each course is labeled by grade and follows the CA NGSS sequence your child's teacher uses in the classroom.
Does StudyPug help with the CAST and CAASPP science tests?
Yes. Practice problems and lessons are built around CA NGSS performance expectations, based on real exams like CAST and CAASPP.
Does the order of topics match what my child's school teaches?
Each course follows California's CA NGSS pacing, so topics appear in the same sequence a typical California classroom covers them.
Can I use StudyPug for homeschooling?
Yes. Lessons are organized by grade and CA NGSS standard, so students can work through them at their own pace without a classroom schedule.
Reviewed by the StudyPug Curriculum Team
Last updated June 5, 2026
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