Conceptual Integrated Science is a textbook program co-authored by Suzanne Lyons and her talented colleagues Paul Hewitt, John Suchocki, and Jennifer Yeh.
In this program, the authors teach “Integrated Science”—that is, the study of the major branches of science plus the areas of overlap between them. Conceptual Integrated Science begins with Physics then moves on to Chemistry. Next comes Biology, then Earth Science, and finally Astronomy. High-interest features that showcase how the various branches of science work together complete the curriculum.
For example, the Conceptual Integrated Science text contains a section called Electric Shock that shows how physics and biology can come together in an electrifying manner. The section Coal explains how ancient organisms are buried and compressed over geologic time to produce a fossil fuel that is much in the news.
In many schools today, an “integrated science” course has replaced the “general science” course. This change reflects how much science has grown. Like all integrated science courses, Conceptual Integrated Science does not teach science subjects as if they existed in separate silos. Instead, students see that the world around them consists of interacting parts and processes. While science is so vast that learning it must always be a step-by-step process, it’s also true that understanding the natural world means appreciating that Earth is a complex system of interacting parts and processes. Truly, in nature there are no walls dividing the topics traditionally taught separately as physics, chemistry, biology, Earth science, and astronomy. For example, climate change is a phenomenon of the natural world. To understand it, the student needs to apply concepts from physics, chemistry, biology, and Earth science. Nor could a student understand the marvels of space travel without knowing some basic physics as well as astronomy.
Science can be demanding, even bewildering, to students with limited prior knowledge and exposure to it. But Conceptual Integrated Science keeps learning simple and relatable with everyday-life connections, a student-friendly writing style, crystal clear explanations (simple yes, but never vague!), and equations as guides-to-thinking rather than invitations for computation. Humor and engaging cartoons keep the look and feel accessible and fun rather than boring or intimidating.
Like its sequel, the legendary best-seller Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt, Conceptual Integrated Science by Suzanne, Paul, John, and Jennifer is used by many thousands of students around the world. The program features the Student Edition, Instructor’s manual, and ancillaries including Workbooks, a Laboratory Manual, Test Bank, and Online Tutorials. Conceptual Integrated Science is currently in its Second Edition.