Engaging Students
with
NGSS Engineering
Melissa Miller
NGSS Definitions of Engineering
and Technology:
• Engineering – Any engagement in a
systematic practice of design to achieve
solutions to particular human problems.
• Technology – All types of human-made
systems and processes.
Conceptual Shift in NGSS
• Science and engineering are integrated in
the NGSS, from K-12.
This is achieved by raising engineering design to the same level as
scientific inquiry when teaching science disciplines at all levels and by
giving core ideas of engineering and technology the same status as
those in other major science disciplines.
WHY?
We have the need to address major world challenges and to deepen
students’ understanding of science by applying scientific knowledge to
the solution of practical problems.
“Scientists investigate that which
already is; engineers create that which
has never been.”
Albert Einstein
Engineering Design Model
Component Ideas and Progress at Each Grade Span
Grade
Span
Defining Problem
Developing
Solutions
Optimizing
Solutions
K-2
Identify situations that people
want to change as problems that
can be solved through
engineering.
Convey possible solutions
through visual or physical
representations.
Compare solutions, test
them, and evaluate each.
3-5
Specify criteria and constraints
that a possible solution to a
simple problem must meet
Research and explore
multiple possible
solutions.
Improve a solution based
on results of simple tests,
including failure points.
6-8
Attend to precision of criteria
and constraints and
considerations likely to limit
possible solutions
Combine parts of different
solutions to create new
solutions
Use systematic processes
to iteratively test and
refine a solution
9 - 12
Attend to a broad range of
considerations in criteria and
constraints for problems of
social and global significance
Break a major problem
into smaller problems
that can be solved
separately
Prioritize criteria, consider
trade-offs, and assess
social and environmental
impacts as a complex
solution is tested and
refined.
PEs that Incorporate Engineering Practices
Physical
Science
Life
Science
Earth/Space
Science
Engineering
K-ESS3-2
K-ESS3-3
K-2-ETS1-1
K-2-ETS1-2
K-2-ETS1-3
K
K-PS2-2
K-PS3-2
1
1-PS4-4
1-LS1-1
2
2-PS1-2
2-LS2-2
2-ESS2-1
3
3-PS2-4
3-LS4-4
3-ESS3-1
4
4-PS3-4
4-PS4-3
4-ESS3-2
3-5-ETS1-1
3-5-ETS1-2
3-5-ETS1-3
5
6-8
MS-PS1-6
MS-PS2-1
MS-PS3-3
MS-LS2-5
9 - 12
HS-PS1-6
HS-PS2-3
HS-PS2-6
HS-PS3-3
HS-PS4-5
HS-LS2-7
HS-LS4-6
MS-ETS1-1
MS-ETS1-2
MS-ETS1-3
MS-ETS1-4
HS-ESS3-2
HS-ESS3-4
HS-ETS1-1
HS-ETS1-2
HS-ETS1-3
HS-ETS1-4
How does this look in the Classroom?
4-PS3-4. Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device
that converts energy from one form to another.
With a focus on the
science content:
With a focus on the
engineering practice:
Engineering Design Activity
• MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative
testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process
such that an optimal design can be achieved.
Task: Develop a model car that will travel a minimum of 2
meters in a straight line using only the materials provided.
Identify the criteria and constraints for the design.
Test the design.
Compare your results to others.
Modify your design.
Retest.