1. Next Generation Science Standards
2nd Draft Review
January 11, 2013
The Elementary Science Program
Staff Members: Kathy Arminio, Director
Mary Thomas, Assistant Director
Antonietta Quinn, Resource Teacher
Nancy Shellenberger, Resource Teacher

2. Quick History
A Framework for K – 12 Science Education - final July 2011
“Getting the science right” – Developed by the National Research Council at the National Academies of Science
Prepared by a committee of Scientists (including Nobel Laureates) and Science Educators
“The NGSS are intended to reflect a new vision for American science education”
Three-Dimensions:
Scientific and Engineering Practices
Crosscutting Concepts
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Free PDF available from The National Academies Press (
Print Copies available from NSTA Press (

3. Three-Dimensions
Science and Engineering Practices – Defining scientific “habits of mind”, i.e. inquiry AND engineering design process
Cross Cutting Concepts – Concepts (ex. patterns) that bridge disciplinary boundaries and need explicit instruction in both science and engineering
Disciplinary Core Ideas – Physical Sciences; Life Sciences; Earth & Space Sciences; Engineering, Technology & Applications of Science

4. Scientific and Engineering Practices
Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematics and computational thinking
Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
Engaging in argument from evidence
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

5. Crosscutting Concepts
Patterns
Cause and effect: Mechanism and explanation
Scale, proportion, and quantity
Systems and system models
Energy and matter: Flows, cycles, and conservation
Structure and function
Stability and change

6. Disciplinary Core Ideas
Life Science
Physical Science
LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
PS1: Matter and Its Interactions
PS2: Motion and Stability: Forces and
Interactions
PS3: Energy
PS4: Waves and Their Applications in
Technologies for Information Transfer
Earth & Space Science
Engineering & Technology
ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe
ESS2: Earth’s Systems
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
ETS1: Engineering Design
ETS2: Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society

7. Developing the Standards

8. Developing the Standards
Instruction
Curricula
Assessments
Teacher Development

9. How to Read the NGSS Standards:
Code for Topic Name
How to Read the NGSS Standards:
Performance Expectations (Assessable Component)
Lettered Performance Expectations
Foundation
Boxes
Lowercase letters designate which of the performance expectations incorporate this disciplinary core idea.
Lowercase letters designate which of the performance expectations use this practice.
Lowercase letters designate which of the performance expectations incorporate this crosscutting concept.
(Common Core ELA & Math)
Connection
Boxes

10. Take another look: Science and Engineering Practices
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Crosscutting Concepts
K.Structure and Properties of Matter
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
K-PS1-a. Design and conduct an investigation of different kinds of materials to describe their observable properties and classify the materials based on the patterns observed. [Clarification Statement: Observations are qualitative only and could include relative length, weight, color, texture, and hardness. Patterns include the similar properties that different materials share.]
K-PS1-b. Design and conduct investigations to test the idea that some materials can be a solid or liquid depending on temperature. (implied events have causes that generate observable patterns) [Assessment Boundary: Only a qualitative description of temperature should be used such as hot, cool, and warm.]

11. Additional Organization Notes
Biggest changes
Elementary Standards identified by grade level
Middle School (MS) grades 6-8
High School (HS) grades 9-12
organized by discipline within Middle School and High School
Integration of Engineering
Middle Level and High School have “Engineering Design”

12. Now What’s the Timeline?
Comment Period 2nd Draft ends January 29th
Final version….. March 2013
Review and decision making by NYS Regents
Possible adoption by NYS

13. ESP Contact Information
Kathy Arminio,
Mary Thomas,
Antonietta Quinn,
Nancy Shellenberger,
ESP Main Phone: (585)