NGSS as Word Documents

As we all start to create multiple support documents, tools, and ways of viewing the Next Generation Science Standards- I thought it might be helpful to have the NGSS in a MS Word format. I converted both forms of the NGSS- by Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI) and by Topic. Download the documents below. I haven’t done anything with the Appendices yet

NGSS by DCI

NGSS by Topic

NOAA Middle School Climate Science Materials

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a FREE middle school unit on the essential principles of climate science titled: Discover Your Changing World. Click HERE to download the entire PDF or individual activities. These materials could be useful in helping to meet some of the weather/climate related expectations in the NGSS. The resource was recently revised but does not contain direct correlations to the NGSS or the Framework for K-12 Science Education but I’m assuming that NOAA is working on this…? Also, see Chris Ohana’s brief critique of the materials in the comment section.

If you are a middle school science teacher or a science curriculum specialist- please leave your thoughts in the comments- Does this look like a useful supplemental resource? Why/why not? How might you use this?

NGSS Chat

If you are a K-12 science educator and you are not on Twitter… you may be missing out. Click HERE to see a guide for getting started on Twitter.

If you would like to see what some educators are talking about regarding the Next Generation Science Standards- click HERE to see the conversation of a recent NGSS Chat #NGSSCHAT (you do not need to have a Twitter account to view this)

Thanks to Fred Ende for capturing the conversation on Storify.

Seeking Feedback: Is it Technology? Probe

As a fan of Page Keeley’s formative assessment probes for uncovering student ideas in science, I often create my own versions of probes to use with teachers, pre-service teachers, and K-12 students. I’m currently working on a probe about technology titled- Is it Technology? This is a Justified List flavor of probe and it is intended to uncover preconceptions about what things are considered technology. I have used the definition and thinking about technology and engineering in the Next Generation Science Standards as a foundation for the probe.

Click link to the right to download the is it technology FA probe

This formative assessment probe is very drafty and I’m looking for some individuals who might provide some feedback on the draft. Key targets for feedback:

- The existing choices (What might be removed? modified? What might be added?)

- The Facilitation Guide (What could be more clear?)

- The explanation section (How do you feel about the Explanation provided? Suggestions for improvement)

- Try it out on some students/teachers- How did leaners define technology? What items did they struggle with?

- Other feedback…

Thanks for considering and for helping me to be able to keep offering FREE tools and resources on Science for All

Science FREE Special Issue: Grand Challenges in Science Education

The AAAS journal Science has released a FREE special issue all about science education. You have to register for FREE access before you can download/view the articles- but it will be worth your while.

Click HERE to see the Table of Contents for the issue. For those of you (like me) who plan and conduct professional development for K-12 science teachers, there is an article titled Professional Development for Science Teachers by S.M. Wilson that could be useful. Enjoy!

 

NGSS Awareness Video

Below is a short video clip from Achieve that “makes the case” for and provides an overview of the Next Generation Science Standards. This could be useful to add to your resources if you are planning professional development or a meeting on awareness of the NGSS. Click HERE if you cannot see the embedded clip below.

Wringing Out a Washcloth on the ISS

Here is a simple structure for scaffolding a science video clip with students.

Predict: What will happen when you wring out a soaking wet washcloth in the microgravity of the International Space Station?

Observe the video below. (Click HERE if you cannot see the clip.) Where does the water from the washcloth go?

Explain why this happened. Make a claim and support it with evidence and reasoning.