Unpacking NGSS
JULIE RONEY, LAURA KRESL
Activity
How much cloth would I need to make a tablecloth
that just covers the box on my table?
You may use only the items you have on your table
to measure.
Activity
How will you communicate this information to the
fabric counter at JoAnn’s?

What led you to think that?

What made you decide that?

What about ______ ?

How does that fit with your decision that ___ ?
Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS)
September 4, 2013
Communications@cde.ca.gov
Subject: State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces State
Adopts Next Generation Science Standards
SACRAMENTO-New science standards designed to prepare
students to thrive in a changing economy were approved today
by the State Board of Education.
Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS)
• K-12 Science Standards
• Developed through a collaborative, state-led process
•
•
K-12 teachers, state science and policy staff, higher education
faculty, scientists, engineers, cognitive scientists, and business
leaders
Designed to provide all students an internationally
benchmarked science education
Conceptual Shifts
1) Reflect the Interconnected Nature of Science as it is
Practiced and Experienced in the Real World
2) Student performance expectations – NOT curriculum
3) Build Coherently from K–12
4) Focus on Deeper Understanding of Content as well as
Application of Content
5) Science and Engineering are Integrated
6) Designed to prepare students for college, career, and
citizenship
7) NGSS and Common Core State Standards (ELA and
Mathematics) are aligned
3 Dimensions
A Framework for K-12
Science Education
•Scientific & Engineering Practices
•Disciplinary Core Ideas
•Crosscutting Concepts
Breaking Down the
Standards
Activity
What happens to
properties when I
combine
substances?
Observing a
Chemical Reaction

Teachercentered

Studentcentered

Limited
opportunity for
student inquiry

Inquiry-based

Solve a
problem

Procedural
Scientific & 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
Crosscutting Concepts
• Patterns
• Cause and Effect
• Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
• Systems and Systems Models
• Energy and Matter
• Structure and Function
• Stability and Change
NGSS & CCSS
State Timeline
2011-National Research Council Framework
for K-12 Science
2013-State adopts Next Generation Science
Standards
2016-California Science Framework
2018-Instructional Materials Adoption by SBE
2019-Operational NGSS Science Assessments
Proposed 4-Year District Plan
Rollout Components
Focus on awareness for year 1 (2015-16)
Incorporate the science and engineering practices
Transition to inquiry
Quarterly STEM/Science Teacher Lead Meetings
Quarterly Twilight Trainings
Integrated/Discipline-Specific District Decision
Twilight “fact-finding” activities
Professional development over the course of 3 years (2016-19)
Approval Process
Presentation to Curriculum Council
Presentation at Principals’ Meeting
Principals to share with school sites
How to get Involved

All frameworks are released for 2 60-day public
reviews

The first review begins on November 17, 2015

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/sc/cf/

scienceframework@cde.ca.gov

www.nextgenscience.org

app