Amplify vs. Mosa Mack: Comparison, Reviews, and Which Is Right for Your Classroom

Choosing the right middle school science curriculum can feel overwhelming. Both Amplify Science and Mosa Mack Science promise to deliver engaging, NGSS-aligned instruction—but they take distinctly different approaches to getting students excited about science. This guide walks through what each program offers, how they compare, and which one might be the best fit for your classroom.

TLDR:

• Amplify Science is a comprehensive K-8 curriculum with strong standards alignment, hands-on materials kits, and digital simulations, but some teachers find it overly scripted and less engaging for students
• Mosa Mack Science (grades 4-8) uses mystery-based storytelling with animated videos, collaborative labs, and engineering challenges that drive high student engagement and discovery-based learning
• Amplify works well as a standalone core curriculum with structured support for new teachers, while Mosa Mack excels as an engaging supplement or alternative that prioritizes student-driven inquiry
• Teachers report that Amplify’s content can feel “dry” and “stale,” while Mosa Mack consistently generates excitement with students talking about science beyond the classroom
• Both programs can be used together effectively, with Mosa Mack adding engaging phenomena and hands-on discovery to supplement Amplify’s comprehensive scope and sequence

What is Amplify Science?

Amplify Science is a K-8 phenomena-based science curriculum developed through a collaboration between UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and Amplify. The program blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to help students think, read, write, and argue like scientists and engineers.

Designed from the ground up to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Amplify Science addresses 100% of the NGSS for grades K-8 and integrates Common Core standards for ELA and mathematics. The curriculum received top marks from EdReports for alignment, coherence, and usability—the only middle school science program to achieve all-green ratings in their 2019 review.

Each unit centers around a real-world phenomenon or problem, with students taking on roles as scientists or engineers to investigate and develop solutions. The program uses the research-based “Do, Talk, Read, Write, Visualize” instructional model developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science, providing multiple modalities through which students can access science concepts.

Key features include:

• Complete materials kits with hands-on supplies for every unit
• Digital simulations for visualizing complex phenomena (grades 3-8)
• Student investigation notebooks for recording data and observations
• Content-rich student books with scaffolded reading support
• End-of-unit assessments including written responses and auto-scored questions
• Professional development support for implementation

Amplify Science has been adopted by major school districts nationwide, including Seattle Public Schools and hundreds of others seeking a comprehensive, standards-aligned science solution.

What is Mosa Mack Science?

Mosa Mack Science is an award-winning inquiry-based curriculum for grades 4-8 that transforms science learning into an exciting detective story. Created by former middle school teacher Lissa A. Duty, the program centers around Mosa Mack—a young science detective who solves real-world mysteries using scientific concepts.

The curriculum was part of the prestigious ImagineK12 accelerator program and has been recognized as a Common Sense Media Learning Selection and EdReports’ Best New Educational Product. Today, Mosa Mack is used in over 7,000 schools across all 50 states.

Each unit follows a three-lesson structure designed to progress up Bloom’s Taxonomy and Depth of Knowledge:

Lesson 1: The Solve – Students watch engaging video mysteries (both live-action and animated) featuring compelling phenomena and become science detectives working to solve the case.

Lesson 2: TheLab – Collaborative, hands-on investigations with four levels of differentiation, from teacher demonstrations to completely student-designed experiments, allowing teachers to match activities to their students’ readiness levels.

Lesson 3: The Engineer – Real-world engineering challenges where students apply their learning to design solutions to authentic problems.

Every unit includes comprehensive teacher resources: detailed lesson plans, student guides, PowerPoint presentations, formative and summative assessments, vocabulary activities, and rubrics. The program emphasizes student-driven discovery, real-world connections, and building teacher confidence through embedded professional development support.

Mosa Mack integrates engineering throughout every unit (rather than separating it into standalone lessons), provides multiple entry points for diverse learners, and focuses heavily on making science content accessible and exciting for all students.

Amplify vs. Mosa Mack: Which Should You Choose?

The choice between Amplify Science and Mosa Mack depends largely on your teaching context, student needs, and what you value most in science instruction.

When Amplify Science Works Best

Amplify Science appeals to districts that prioritize a literacy-focused approach to science instruction. The program’s extensive reading materials and scripted lessons provide structure for teachers who prefer detailed guidance. The complete materials kits eliminate the need for schools to source their own supplies, which can be convenient for districts with centralized purchasing systems. The program’s systematic approach to literacy integration and assessment data collection appeals to administrators seeking measurable outcomes.

Schools with reliable technology infrastructure will benefit from Amplify’s digital simulations, which help visualize phenomena that would be impossible to recreate in a classroom. The program’s research backing and EdReports ratings provide assurance to stakeholders concerned about evidence-based instruction.

However, teachers consistently report challenges with engagement. A common pattern emerges: units often begin with exciting phenomena that hook students’ interest, but the follow-up can feel like a letdown—typically transitioning to reading assignments rather than hands-on exploration.The content, while standards-aligned, often fails to generate the enthusiasm and curiosity that drives authentic science learning. Students may complete investigations without developing the sense of wonder and discovery that makes science memorable.

When Mosa Mack Science Excels

Mosa Mack Science shines in classrooms where student engagement and discovery-based learning are priorities. Teachers who want their students genuinely excited about science—talking about it at home, thinking about concepts beyond class time, even singing about photosynthesis on field trips—consistently report that Mosa Mack delivers this engagement.

The program’s mystery-based approach taps into students’ natural curiosity, giving them a reason to care about the science content before diving into investigations. The comic-style presentation and relatable characters make difficult concepts less intimidating, particularly for struggling readers or students who lack confidence in science.

Mosa Mack’s four-level differentiation system in the labs gives teachers flexibility to meet students where they are—from teacher demonstrations for classes needing more support to completely open-ended investigations for advanced learners ready to design their own experiments.

The program works exceptionally well as a supplement to curricula like Amplify, adding the engagement factor and hands-on discovery elements that may be missing from more traditional approaches. Many teachers use Mosa Mack’s phenomena-based mysteries to hook students’ interest, then integrate Amplify’s additional resources for depth and assessment.

The Real Difference: Engagement vs. Comprehensiveness

The fundamental distinction comes down to this: Amplify provides comprehensive coverage with strong standards alignment but may sacrifice engagement, while Mosa Mack prioritizes engagement and discovery-based learning while functioning best as either a supplement or for schools comfortable building additional supports around it.

A critical pattern distinguishes the two approaches: Amplify units often start with compelling phenomena that spark curiosity, but then shift to reading-heavy instruction that can feel like a letdown. Students get excited about the initial question, only to spend the bulk of their time reading about science rather than investigating it firsthand. In contrast, Mosa Mack maintains the excitement throughout, using mysteries to drive genuine hands-on exploration and problem-solving.

One teacher captured this perfectly: “There was not a high interest in Amplify, the literature felt stale.” Meanwhile, educators consistently describe Mosa Mack as bringing the “wow factor” that gets students truly excited about being scientists.

Neither program is inherently superior—the best choice depends on your specific context. Do you need a turnkey solution that covers everything with minimal planning? Amplify might be your answer. Do you want students to fall in love with science through mystery and discovery? Mosa Mack could be the key. Or, like many successful science teachers, you might use both programs together to leverage their complementary strengths.

Feature Comparison Table

Using Amplify and Mosa Mack Together

Many teachers find that Amplify Science and Mosa Mack Science complement each other beautifully. Amplify provides the comprehensive structure, complete materials, and accountability to standards, while Mosa Mack adds the engagement, student-driven discovery, and real-world relevance that can be missing from more traditional curricula.

A common approach is to use Mosa Mack’s mystery-based phenomena to introduce units and hook student interest, then leverage Amplify’s investigations and assessments for deeper exploration and standards coverage. Teachers appreciate having Mosa Mack’s four differentiation levels to meet diverse student needs during hands-on labs, while still accessing Amplify’s digital simulations for concepts that benefit from virtual modeling.

The programs also balance different aspects of science instruction: Amplify’s strength in literacy integration and reading comprehension pairs well with Mosa Mack’s emphasis on hands-on investigation and engineering design. Together, they provide multiple entry points for diverse learners—struggling readers engage through Mosa Mack’s comic-style presentation, while students who need structure benefit from Amplify’s scaffolded approach.

For districts already invested in Amplify, adding Mosa Mack as a supplemental resource addresses the most common complaint—lack of student engagement—without requiring a complete curriculum change. Mosa Mack provides detailed guidance on aligning their units with Amplify’s scope and sequence.

Real Teacher Perspectives

Understanding how these programs work in actual classrooms provides valuable insight beyond marketing materials. These perspectives are especially helpful for teachers who are required to use one curriculum but are looking for ways to enhance student engagement and outcomes.

Amplify Science Feedback

Teachers appreciate Amplify’s ease of implementation, especially for those new to science instruction or working with substitute teachers. The scripted lessons and complete materials kits reduce planning time and provide a safety net for educators who may not feel confident in science content.

The hands-on activities receive positive feedback when they’re truly hands-on. However, a significant challenge emerges: Amplify is fundamentally a literacy program disguised as a science curriculum. It provides many opportunities to read about science, but fewer opportunities to actually do science. Students spend considerable time engaging with texts and digital simulations rather than authentic scientific investigation.

The program invests heavily in digital simulations that are impressive from a design perspective. While these simulations are engaging in the moment, whether meaningful learning actually occurs through them is questionable. Teachers report that students may be entertained by the visual interactivity, but the simulations often don’t translate into deeper understanding or lasting knowledge of scientific concepts. 

Amplify tends toward traditional investigation methods, with less emphasis on students designing their own experiments or framing their own inquiry questions. The program can feel overly reliant on technology and reading, creating concerns about equitable access and the balance between digital and hands-on learning. The overall experience can feel dry, especially when exciting introductory phenomena give way to text-based activities rather than authentic investigation.

Mosa Mack Science Feedback

Teachers consistently praise Mosa Mack for making science come alive in their classrooms. Students actively talk about the mysteries at home, reference the characters in everyday situations, and show genuine enthusiasm for science class.

The comic-style presentation makes complex concepts approachable, particularly for students who might be intimidated by traditional science textbooks. Teachers appreciate how the mystery format gives students a compelling reason to care about the science content before diving into investigations.

The four-level differentiation system in labs receives high marks for flexibility, allowing teachers to adapt to their students’ needs—whether that means starting with teacher demonstrations for students needing extra support or giving advanced students complete autonomy to design investigations.

Teachers note that Mosa Mack empowers them to be facilitators of discovery rather than lecturers, shifting the classroom dynamic to student-centered learning. The embedded teacher development—including guiding questions and pedagogical tips—helps educators grow their science teaching practice while using the curriculum.

Some teachers mention that while Mosa Mack provides materials lists, schools need to source supplies, which requires more upfront planning compared to Amplify’s complete kit system.

FAQ

Can I use Mosa Mack if my district adopted Amplify Science?

Absolutely. Many teachers successfully use Mosa Mack as a supplement to Amplify Science. Mosa Mack provides alignment guidance to help you integrate their mystery-based phenomena and engineering challenges with Amplify’s scope and sequence. This combination addresses common concerns about engagement while maintaining the comprehensive coverage Amplify provides. Teachers report that using both together creates a more balanced science experience, with Mosa Mack providing the “doing science” component that complements Amplify’s literacy focus.

Which program is better for struggling readers?

Both programs support struggling readers, but through different approaches. Amplify provides extensive scaffolded reading activities and vocabulary support, which means students do a lot of reading. Mosa Mack uses comic-style presentation and animated videos to make content accessible while reducing the reading load. Mosa Mack also offers optional books that are embedded into the unit for students who benefit from additional reading materials. Many teachers find Mosa Mack’s visual, mystery-based approach particularly effective for English language learners and students with reading challenges, as it allows them to engage with science content without the barrier of heavy text.

How much class time does each program require?

Amplify Science recommends 45 minutes per day for grades K-1 and 6-8, and 60 minutes per day for grades 2-5. Units typically span 4-6 weeks. Mosa Mack’s three-lesson structure is more flexible, allowing teachers to adapt pacing to their schedules. Individual lessons can be completed in 45-60 minute periods, with complete units typically taking 2-3 weeks depending on the depth of investigation you choose.

Which program better prepares students for NGSS assessments?

Both programs align to NGSS, but they emphasize different aspects of the standards. Amplify Science’s EdReports certification confirms strong alignment and systematic assessment design. Mosa Mack also aligns to NGSS and includes assessment options emphasizing formative assessment, authentic engineering challenges, and specific state science practice sets for every unit. Both prepare students for NGSS assessments—Amplify through direct test preparation and reading practice, Mosa Mack through deep engagement with scientific practices and engineering design.

What if my school has limited technology access?

This is an important consideration. Amplify Science includes digital simulations as core components in grades 3-8, making technology access essential for full implementation. Mosa Mack uses technology primarily for mystery and phenomenon videos, which can be shown to the whole class with a single device and projector, or the comic book mysteries can be printed. The hands-on labs and engineering challenges don’t require individual student technology access. Schools with limited technology infrastructure may find Mosa Mack more practical to implement. With the flip of a toggle, everything can be done hands-on or online. 

Conclusion

Both Amplify Science and Mosa Mack Science bring valuable strengths to middle school science education, but they represent fundamentally different philosophies about what science instruction should look like.

Amplify delivers comprehensive standards coverage, complete materials, and systematic assessment—a turnkey solution for districts seeking accountability and structure. However, it’s important to recognize that Amplify prioritizes reading and literacy over hands-on discovery. Students will do a lot of reading about science, which has value, but may have fewer opportunities to authentically engage in the practices of real scientists.

Mosa Mack transforms science into an engaging adventure, using mystery-based storytelling and student-driven discovery to create the enthusiasm and curiosity that leads to deeper learning. Students don’t just read about science—they do science, investigating phenomena and solving real-world problems through hands-on exploration and engineering design.

The programs serve different needs and values. Amplify prioritizes systematic standards coverage with measurable outcomes and strong literacy integration. Mosa Mack prioritizes student engagement, hands-on investigation, and the joy of scientific discovery. Neither approach is inherently wrong—they simply emphasize different aspects of science education.

For many teachers and schools, the ideal solution isn’t choosing between them but strategically combining their strengths. Use Mosa Mack’s mysteries to hook students’ interest and provide authentic hands-on experiences, while leveraging Amplify’s resources for literacy integration and assessment. Let Mosa Mack drive discovery and engineering design while using Amplify’s comprehensive scope and sequence to ensure standards coverage.

But what if you don’t currently have either program? The choice depends on your priorities. If your district values comprehensive literacy integration and systematic assessment data above all else, Amplify provides that structure. If you want students to develop a genuine love of science as well as the skils they’ll need to think scientifically across all domains for the entirety of their educational careers, Mosa Mack delivers that transformative engagement. And if you have the flexibility, consider that both programs can work together to create the most complete science education experience.