Our Story
Where we started. What we’ve built. Where we’re going next.
2005
A New Way to Teach
The idea behind ADI started in a high school classroom in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Victor Sampson, a high school science teacher at the time, was frustrated with traditional science instruction—it was too scripted, disconnected from how science actually works, and left too many students behind. So he developed a new approach—one that gave all students the chance to figure things out for themselves by engaging in the practices of science and math.
2008
Grounded in Research
Dr. Sampson and a team of researchers at Florida State University received a grant from the Institute of Education Sciences to formally develop and test the ADI instructional model. Since then, more than 30 peer-reviewed research studies have shown that ADI improves students’ critical thinking, conceptual understanding, and communication skills across grade levels and disciplines.
2015
Launching ADI as a Company
In 2015, Krista Sampson founded Argument-Driven Inquiry, LLC to respond to the growing demand for professional learning and classroom-ready materials. We launched the ADI store with resources teachers could immediately use to support student collaboration and thinking. Since then, we’ve added classroom kits, discussion tools, whiteboards, easels, and more—designed in partnership with teachers to meet real classroom needs.
2012
From Idea to Impact
Teachers across the country began reaching out to learn more about ADI. We hosted our first teacher workshop in 2012 in the Florida Panhandle—and we’ve been on the road ever since. Since then, we’ve worked with more than 15,000 educators in over 700 school districts. In every workshop, we hear the same thing: “This changes everything.”
2016
ADI Facilitator Institute
To help school systems build internal capacity, we created the ADI Facilitator Institute. Our first one was held in Austin, Texas. Since then, we’ve certified over 1,500 facilitators who now lead ADI workshops in their own schools and districts.
2018
Expanding to Math and Engineering
Dr. Victor Sampson began adapting the ADI instructional model for use in mathematics and engineering through a research initiative at the University of Texas at Austin. In collaboration with classroom teachers from Round Rock ISD and fellow researchers, the team developed and field-tested a new set of investigations designed specifically for these disciplines. This work laid the foundation for the ADI instructional materials and professional learning experiences now available for math and engineering educators.
2021
ADI Learning Hub
To meet the evolving needs of teachers and students, we developed the ADI Learning Hub—a comprehensive digital platform designed to support instruction in any setting. Built to bring the full ADI experience online, the Learning Hub includes a growing library of science, math, and engineering investigations, along with built-in tools that help students collaborate, discuss, and reflect on their learning. It also features three-dimensional assessment tasks, real-time progress tracking, and resources that make it easy for teachers to implement ADI whether they’re teaching in person, remotely, or in a hybrid model. The ADI Learning Hub continues to grow and evolve, providing everything educators need to support meaningful, rigorous, and equitable learning.
2024
From NSTA to Nutty Brown Press
Our first books were published with NSTA Press starting in 2014, introducing ADI to science classrooms nationwide. In 2024, we took the next big step by launching Nutty Brown Press as our own publishing house. This transition gave us the ability to expand our catalog and release a new generation of ADI materials—26 brand-new titles for K–12 science, all designed to support three-dimensional learning and make implementation easier for teachers. And we're just getting started. In 2024, we took the next big step by launching Nutty Brown Press as our own publishing house. This transition gave us the ability to expand our catalog and release a new generation of ADI materials—26 brand-new titles for K–12 science, all designed to support three-dimensional learning and make implementation easier for teachers. And we're just getting started.
Recognition & Awards
Our work has been recognized both locally and nationally for its innovation and impact in education. We were named one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies, ranking #72 overall and #2 in education in the Texas region, and were honored as an A-List nominee at the Greater Austin Business Awards. Our founder, Krista Sampson, was selected for the Forbes Next 1000 list in 2021 and received the Austin Woman’s Way Award for STEM Business in 2022. These honors reflect our ongoing commitment to empowering educators and transforming classrooms through high-quality instructional materials and professional learning.
Meet the Founders
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Interested in Joining the Team?
We’re always on the lookout for passionate, talented people who believe in the power of great teaching.
We’re currently hiring Account Managers for states that don’t yet have ADI representation. If you have a background in education, a love for helping teachers, and an interest in expanding access to innovative instructional materials, we’d love to hear from you.
We also welcome inquiries from individuals who want to contribute to our mission in other ways—whether that’s through sales, curriculum development, operations, or customer support.
Are you an author looking to publish your own instructional book?
Visit our publishing partner, Nutty Brown Press, to learn how we support educators and subject-matter experts in bringing their ideas to life.