Student-centered inquiry
Students learn by observing phenomena, identifying patterns, constructing explanations, and testing ideas in new situations.
Free curriculum for grades 6–12
Helping students learn physics by doing physics.
Physics Union Mathematics (PUM) is a collection of classroom-tested modules for middle school and high school settings. Grounded in the Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE) approach, PUM supports conceptual understanding, scientific reasoning, and mathematical thinking through evidence-based inquiry.
What is PUM?
Physics Union Mathematics (PUM) is a set of free curriculum modules designed to help students build physics understanding through observation, explanation, testing, and application. Developed in collaboration with practicing educators, the materials support both science learning and the development of mathematical reasoning.
Multiple representations
PUM helps students reason with words, diagrams, graphs, equations, and experiments to strengthen conceptual understanding.
Flexible implementation
Teachers can use the modules as a coherent sequence or adapt them to complement an existing course.
Who PUM serves
PUM is designed for teachers working across a range of secondary science and physics classrooms.
Middle School Physical Science
Supports early concept-building and scientific reasoning in physical science settings.
High School Physical Science
Builds coherence between scientific practices, content understanding, and mathematical sense-making.
Conceptual Physics & Physics First
Provides a structured path into core ideas through evidence, experimentation, and discussion.
Algebra-Based High School Physics
Strengthens the connection between conceptual understanding and formal mathematical reasoning.
Available modules
PUM is organized into two curriculum groupings that can be used as a full sequence or as targeted supplements.
Physics I
Designed for middle school physical science, high school physical science, conceptual physics, and Physics First courses.
- Motion
- Forces
- Energy
- Matter
Physics II
Designed for high school physics courses, including algebra-based and advanced secondary settings.
- Kinematics
- Dynamics
- Momentum
- Energy
- Electrostatic Forces
- Electric Fields
- DC Circuits
- Magnetic Fields
How PUM works
PUM is grounded in the Investigative Science Learning Environment (ISLE), an approach that helps students learn physics by engaging in the kinds of reasoning and evidence-based thinking used in science itself.
Observe
Students begin with carefully selected physical phenomena and collect evidence.
Find patterns
They look for regularities using discussion, diagrams, graphs, data, and other representations.
Build and test ideas
Students propose explanations, make predictions, and test those predictions with additional experiments.
Apply and revise
They refine their thinking and use emerging models to reason about new situations and solve problems.
Classroom-tested
Developed and refined through classroom implementation.
Developed and refined through classroom implementation.
Built with educators
Shaped by university faculty, teacher educators, and practicing teachers.
Shaped by university faculty, teacher educators, and practicing teachers.
Research-informed
Grounded in long-term work on ISLE and physics education.
Grounded in long-term work on ISLE and physics education.
Practical for teachers
Designed for real classrooms with flexible implementation options.
Designed for real classrooms with flexible implementation options.
What teachers say
PUM has been shaped not only by research and development, but also by teachers using the materials in classrooms.
“PUM gives students a lot of tools to express what they know in different ways.”
Teacher voice“Students become more likely to rely on evidence from experiments when explaining ideas.”
Teacher voice“Once students become accustomed to the materials, they begin to take ownership of the learning.”
Teacher voiceTeacher resources
PUM curricular materials are available to educators for instructional use. Access requests can be reviewed before materials are shared, allowing teachers to receive the resources and support they need.
Built through collaboration
PUM was developed through the collaboration of university faculty, teacher educators, and practicing middle school and high school teachers. The materials were piloted in classrooms, revised through use, and shaped by ongoing teacher feedback.
Research and publications
The ideas that inform PUM are grounded in a substantial body of work in physics education, scientific reasoning, multiple representations, teacher preparation, and inquiry-based learning.
Also explore +ISLE Chem
+ISLE Chem is a sister project: a high school chemistry curriculum built on the same Investigative Science Learning Environment approach to learning science through investigation, reasoning, and evidence.