The San Diego Middle School Science Education Leadership Initiative offers a variety of resources to project fellows and district leadership teams in the curriculum implementation process. The most important component of curriculum implementation is a thoughtful consideration of standards-based instructional materials. MSSELI¹s approach to the process of curriculum implementation begins with developing an awareness of inquiry-based design in instructional materials that align with the California Science Standards. Then utilizing a well defined process “Analyzing Instructional Materials” or AIM, consideration is given to how the Instructional materials provide for conceptual development of core science concepts. During this iterative process the teacher’s state board adopted instructional materials may be enhanced or scaffolded with additional support that best meets the needs of the learners.