Next Generation Science Standards: 

Understanding and Preparing for Change

NGSS have three dimensions that are integrated to reflect how science and engineering are practiced. The three dimensions are science and engineering practices (SEPs), crosscutting concepts (CCs) and disciplinary core ideas (DCIs). This is different from how science was traditionally taught and learned.

 

You Have Come a Long Way Baby

The NGSS are STANDARDS not Curriculum. They consist of three dimensions which guide teachers to provide their students with integrative and connected science education. Understanding the relationship between the dimensions is key to teaching science. Click here to see to navigate to NGSS Structure from the NGSS website.

NGSS has a teaching channel with videos explaining the three dimensions and how they relate to each other. Further information can be found by clicking here.

NGSS vs 2009ODE Science Standards

For the sixth grade teachers who signed up for the May 30 TPD, here is a link to your standards 'crosswalked' to the 2009 ODE standards. Your standards start on page 17.

For the seventh and eighth grade teachers who signed up for the May 30 TPD, here is a link to the seventh grade and here is a link to the eighth grade standards 'crosswalked' to the 2009 ODE standards.

For the high school teachers who attended the June 15-18 NGSS Institute, here is a link to the  high school NGSS 'crosswalked with the 2009 ODE Science standards starting on page 28.

Talking about Resources 

Don't reinvent the wheel! Many professionals have been working on creating activities, and aligning resources found on the Internet to NGSS. Institute was all about exploring these resources. June 15, Day 1 of the NGSS Institute, we learned the basic history, rationale, and  3 dimensions that work to create them. That afternoon, we began following a Physical Science standard PS3-Energy from K-2 through 3-5, so we could see how that rolls out for a student. We all signed up for accounts with nasawavelength.org, where over 3000 free resources are beginning to be crosswalked with NGSS. We found the STRAND Maps can be used to identify age appropriate activities most containing background information for teachers!

Becoming Familiar with the Engineering Design Process is Important! NASA makes it easy with these resources. Click the red text.

Engineering Design Process

NASA's BEST Series is a good model to guide you and your students through the EDP. They provide resources to help you use the process in your classroom.

You Asked For It!

Remember the STEM Units I shared with you from when I was a teacher in Hawaii? Here is that link so you can see the Flyin' High (Paper airplanes), Here Comes the Sun (Heliophysics) and Pandora's Box (Global Climate Change) Units I created using Common Core (Math AND ELA)! Click Here!

You Asked For It!

The NASA Educators Guide for Rockets can be found by clicking here. This curriculum uses the engineering design process (EDP) and reinforces student learning of NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. Fun and educational!

You Asked For It!

NASA is totally supportive of helping educators integrate NGSS into their classrooms. If you click here, you can see a small sampling of activities that are truly hands-on and minds-on.

You Asked For It!

For the Oregon Trail Raft EDP, complete with all the handouts. Just click here, the download is free.

You Asked For It!

The Engineering Design Process used as a Switcheroo Game. Cut out the circles on this PDF file and shuffle. Have students place each of the six steps of the process in the order they are used.

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You Asked For It!

A NASA link for Beginning Rocketry aimed at HS level.

http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/bgmr.html

NGSS Build on Integrated Conceptual Learning K-12

All students learn at every grade level. There is a progression of science and engineering skills, practices, ideas, and content that focuses on deep understanding and practical application. It is a dynamic learning process that builds throughout a student's K-12 education.

Getting to Know the Sequence

If you teach K-5 in Oregon your grade level sequence is posted on the elementary page. If you teach Middle School students in Oregon, the science grade level sequence has been uploaded for you. Click on the file below. Teachers, look at how the sequence differs from what you have taught in the past. The MS NGSS is based on a totally integrated science, similar to the integrated California MS model.

It is important to know the teachers in higher grades depend on you to teach your grade level standards.Your students depend on you to help them learn the standards so they can advance their understanding of science and engineering. High Schools have not identified a common sequence yet. Recommendations for sequencing the HS standards can be found in Appendix K. For a link to that site click here.

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What's NEW to You?

As you look through the new secondary school grade level sequence, what new topics are you responsible to teach? What topics do you no longer cover? What resources do you need to be able to do this? Remember, this is a transition, choose a few topics that you feel you can translate into learning. Make them your PD goal for 2015-16.

New to Everyone!

I have been so impressed with the teachers who have attended these NGSS inquiries! Giving up Saturdays at the end of a school year speaks to their dedication. Here is the ODE Suggested Timeline for School Districts in the adoption of NGSS with suggested PD inserted below. Just click on the uploaded file to view the file. You can see NGSS alignment and integration will be new for EVERYONE!

Activity 5-Classroom Sample Tasks aka Assessments

What does a 'classroom task' or assessment look like? NGSS has examples to help you understand what your students need to know.

Sample Middle School Classroom Tasks

How these are different from traditional tests.


You Asked For It!

Here is the ODE Suggested Timeline for School Districts in the adoption of NGSS. Just click on the uploaded file to view the file.


Day Three, the fun and learning never stop!

Remember the STEM Units I shared with you from when I was a teacher in Hawaii? Here is that link so you can see the Flyin' High (Paper airplanes), Here Comes the Sun (Heliophysics) and Pandora's Box (Global Climate Change) Units I created using Common Core (Math AND ELA)! Click Here!

On Wednesday we started the day with good conversations. I shared a great resource: Windows to the Universe This led directly into a discussion about teaching Global Climate Change (GCC). I shared the NOAA resource Ten Signs of a Warming Planet as the BEST resource for GCC (click here to go there). Then we looked at the High School DCI's for Engineering and found it is essential for all teachers K-HS to work together so that solutions to complex inter-related global problems may be addressed by our 21st Century Citizens :)

Time to work (?) on teaching secondary students all about the Engineering Design Process. We took on the NASA Paper Rocket Challenge and rolled out 'criteria' and 'constraints.' 15 minutes later, we were launching our rockets, and improving them. Later we shared our design choice and improvements with the class. Sharing, or communicating is a VERY important part of the EDP, and makes for a natural integration into common core ELA speaking skills. Right before LUNCH, participants created giant paper rockets and launched them from a contraption made from a two liter bottle, bike innertube, and PVC pipe. WOW, did they go far!

You Asked For It!

Kidwind offers FREE PD in the fall where you learn how to engineer alternative energy windmills. The webiste can be found by clicking here. A regional competition of Kidwind usually happens in early winter. Middle School students and HS students are the intended participants.

You Asked For It!

PBS Design Squad has fantastic lesson plans to help your students learn the EDP! Each challenge has teacher notes, and student handouts along with an interview with an engineer who uses EDP in their chosen vocation. Many EDP challenges appropriate for all ages.