About SCI

Science Curriculum Inc. is an educational publishing company, located in Lakewood, Colorado, dedicated to creating quality programs in science for middle schools and high schools. Our programs are well-known for their inquiry-based approach to learning.

Currently, the textbooks we publish include:

Each book has a full set of teacher-support materials.

Who we are
The first five editions of IPS were published, marketed, and distributed by Prentice-Hall.

In 1993, Uri Haber-Schaim, Harold Pratt, and H. Graden Kirksey, members of the author team, formed the first Board of Directors of Science Curriculum (SCI). SCI was founded for the purpose of publishing and marketing Introductory Physical Science, starting with the Sixth Edition. In 2000, Robert Stair joined the author team as a co-author of Force, Motion, and Energy, and in 2004 he joined the Board. Peter Gendel joined the author team in 2004 as a co-author of the Eighth Edition of IPS.

In addition to the Seventh Edition and Eighth Editions of Introductory Physical Science, SCI also publishes Force, Motion, and Energy.

Principals :

  • Uri Haber-Schaim , Board Member
    is the project director and senior author of both Introductory Physical Science and Force, Motion, and Energy. Additionally, he is also a co-author of PSSC Physics and Physical Science II (Energy: A sequel to IPS ), among others. Dr. Haber-Schaim is a recipient of the Oersted Medal (1970), the highest award of the American Association of Physics Teachers, for notable contributions to the teaching of physics . He served on the faculties of the University of Illinois, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and Boston University. His research work was in theoretical particle physics. Dr. Haber-Schaim received an M.Sc. from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago, under the supervision of Enrico Fermi.

  • H. Graden Kirksey , Treasurer
    is a professor emeritus of chemistry, former department chairman, and recipient of the University of Memphis’s Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Kirksey’s other publications include manuals for undergraduate instruction and articles in refereed journals. He has been involved with IPS since 1970 and continues to teach SCI’s national in-service workshops. Dr. Kirksey received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Auburn University.

  • Harold Pratt, President
    led the science education efforts for the Jefferson County Public Schools — the largest school district in Colorado, with an enrollment of more than 80,000 — for over 28 years and was part of the original IPS development team. Mr. Pratt directed one of the first IPS pilot centers and has supported the implementation of the course since that time.

    In addition to his role with IPS and FM&E, Mr. Pratt was the project advisor for the text Middle School Life Science and co-author of Local Leadership for Science Education Reform. From 1992 to 1995, he was a member of the National Science Education Standards development team, and from 1995 to 1999, he was a director in the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education at the National Research Council. Mr. Pratt holds a B.A. from Phillips University and an M.A.T. from Brown University. He was the 2001-2002 President of the National Science Teachers Association.

  • Robert Stair, Vice President
    is a co-author of both Force, Motion, and Energy (FM&E) and Diagnostic Analysis. He is a Physics Teaching Resource Agent (PTRA) for the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and is a 1995 recipient of the Tandy Prize for innovative use of technology in the classroom. Mr. Stair holds a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University and an M.S.S.T. from American University in Washington, D.C. He taught students in Colorado’s Jefferson County Public Schools and has trained teachers in summer workshops for more than 30 years.

  • Peter Gendel , Board Member
    has taught science for 21 years and currently teaches IPS at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans (LA). He was a pilot teacher for FM&E and has served as an instructor at SCI’s national workshops at the Colorado School of Mines and at regional workshops in Massachusetts. He was a Fulbright post-doctoral research scholar to Belgium and Luxembourg. Dr. Gendel holds a B.A. from Tulane University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Staff and Consultants:

Lynne Stair Coordinator of School Services
Reed Cutting Co-author and Consultant (Eastern Region)
Barbara Janes Consultant (Mid-Western Region)
Steve Melnichuk Consultant (Western Region)