Foundational Resources for the KAS-Science – What Every School Needs
kystandards.org
Most current version of KY Academic Standards for Science
KAS-Science Crosswalk: 2015 and 2022 Versions
nextgenscience.org
- A Framework for K-12 Science Education
- NGSS Appendix E – Disciplinary Core Idea Progression
- GSS Appendix F – Science and Engineering Practices in the NGSS
- NGSS Appendix G – Crosscutting Concepts
NGSS APP by MASTERY CONNECT and NSTA
This app is free and provides all of the standards arranged by topic or DCI. The progressions, a link to the framework and appendices, and other resources are also included.
Curriculum to Teach the KAS-Science
Educate Yourself About Curriculum using STEM Teaching Tools:
4, 5, 56, 62, and 66
Free Open Education Resources
Going 3-D with GRC
A collection of vetted, three-dimensional lessons aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards developed from the Framework for K-12 Science Education. The lessons were developed by teachers across districts and states utilizing local phenomena guided through professional development with Brett D. Moulding (lead writer of NGSS) and Kenneth L. Huff (NGSS writing team).
Elementary Lessons (K-5), MS Lessons (6-8), HS Lessons (9-12)
Grades K-2
PhD Science K–2 is Now Available as a Free OER
Too often, science instruction in the earliest grades consists of disparate activities rather than the comprehensive, coherent instruction needed to build a strong foundation for science literacy. That’s why we’re offering Levels K–2 of PhD Science as a free PDF open educational resource (OER). It’s the richest and most robust OER K-2 science curriculum available today across the country.
Next Generation Science Storylines
The Next Generation Science Storylines project is dedicated to providing tools that support teachers in developing, adapting, and teaching with strongly aligned NGSS materials in classrooms around the country.
https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/elementary
SOLID START CURRICULUM MATERIALS
As part of the SOLID Start project, we have developed NGSS and CCSS-ELA aligned curriculum materials. Each unit is guided by a driving question and puzzling phenomena that engage young students and elicit their natural curiosities. The units are designed to support young students’ science learning and oral language and literacy development. We have completed all units in each grade. We also provide suggested modifications to the units so they can be taught in a virtual distance learning environment.
K-2 Assist
Full years of K-2 Units built around hands on NGSS STEM experiences for students
K-5 NGSS Resource Sets for Teaching Science and Integrating with ELA
This resource is a support, supplement, and encouragement for teachers for design learning for their Next Generation Science Standards and to integrate science learning with English Language Arts.
Phenomenal Science K-5 Units
Full years’ curriculum for all K-5 grades aligned to the topic arrangement of the NGSS. Phenomena are aligned to Michigan so may need conversion to be place based in your area.
PhD Science Great Minds K-2
We believe that all students are capable of meeting the rigorous expectations set forth in the NGSS. To achieve this goal, PhD Science presents the same expectations for all students and provides teachers with support strategies that ensure students have equitable access to a phenomenon and the science information they need to make sense of that phenomenon. Levels K–2 are available as a free OER to all educators across the country, any school can implement this accessible curriculum at the earliest grades.
What Does “Implementing the NGSS” Mean?
Operationalizing the Science Practices
for K–12 Classrooms from Horizon Research
Grades K–2 Vignettes and Cross-Vignette Reflections – Pg. 20-39
CREATE 4 STEM
This website provides K-5 science teachers with resources, lessons, and activities based on the NGSS standards, created by teachers in Michigan.
Grades 3-5
TERC Focus on Energy: 4th-5th Grade Energy Transfer Units
Lucas Educational Research Multiple Literacies-Project Based Learning 3-5 Grade
In the Multiple Literacies in Project-Based Learning science courses, students are supported to use science ideas and scientific and engineering practices, including asking questions, creating models, and collaborating with their classmates. This course is designed to enhance students’ curiosity about the natural world and interest in problems they encounter in their lives, and support them in figuring out how to go about resolving those questions.
K-5 NGSS Resource Sets for Teaching Science and Integrating with ELA
This resource is a support, supplement, and encouragement for teachers for design learning for their Next Generation Science Standards and to integrate science learning with English Language Arts.
NYU Sail Research Lab Grade 5 Curriculum
The materials promote three-dimensional learning that leads toward mastery of NGSS performance expectations (PEs) in fifth grade. The instructional materials promote both science learning and language learning for all students, including English learners. The project built on our conceptual framework for language use in the science classroom that highlights key features of talk and text as students engage in science and engineering practices (Lee, Quinn, Valdes, 2013).
Phenomenal Science K-5 Units
Full years curriculum for all K-5 grades aligned to the topic arrangement of the NGSS. Phenomena are aligned to Michigan so may need conversion to be place based in your area.
Next Generation Science Storylines
The Next Generation Science Storylines project is dedicated to providing tools that support teachers in developing, adapting, and teaching with strongly aligned NGSS materials in classrooms around the country.
https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/elementary
What Does “Implementing the NGSS” Mean?
Operationalizing the Science Practices
for K–12 Classrooms from Horizon Research
Grades 3-5 Vignettes and Cross-Vignette Reflections – Pg. 40-63
CREATE 4 STEM
This website provides K-5 science teachers with resources, lessons, and activities based on the NGSS standards, created by teachers in Michigan.
Grades 6-8
OpenSci Ed for Middle School
Free open-source units; materials sold separately. Currently being implemented across 6-8 in Jefferson County on a three year roll out.
Next Generation Science Storylines
The Next Generation Science Storylines project is dedicated to providing tools that support teachers in developing, adapting, and teaching with strongly aligned NGSS materials in classrooms around the country.
https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/middle-school
What Does “Implementing the NGSS” Mean?
Operationalizing the Science Practices
for K–12 Classrooms from Horizon Research
Grades 6-8 Vignettes and Cross-Vignette Reflections – Pg. 64-86
Secondary Science Modules
Secondary science modules from U of Conn
Free exceptional documentary on the recent EPA decision about the Alaska Pebble Mine and Bristol Bay salmon fishery with grades 6-12 curriculum
Click here to watch the documentary, “The Wild” for free. It covers this complex issue from all sides, including interviews with the mining company executives, a pro-mining Senator from Alaska, biologists, commercial fishermen and women, recreational fishing guides, artists, and indigenous residents who have depended on this fishery for thousands of years. Additional information from the filmmaker
Accompanying curriculum designed for grades 6-12
Grades 9-12
OpenSciEd for High School
Includes Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses with the Earth and Space Science standards woven throughout each. The first units were released in March 2023 and the full courses will be completed in early 2024. Kit materials sold separately.
inquiryHub Biology and Chemistry
inquiryHub high school and middle school curricula are guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Using research-based approaches to teaching science in a deeply digital environment, students contribute resources, observations, data, and analyses to solve larger scientific problems. inquiryHub® Biology and inquiryHub® Chemistry are full-year open access high school curricula available through Google Drive™. Each unit is NGSS-aligned, phenomenon-based, and takes a storyline approach to support students engaging in 3-dimensional learning. Supporting classroom kits are available for purchase through Carolina for biology and chemistry.
MODEL BASED BIOLOGY: STUDENTS MAKING SENSE OF BIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA
A repository of the MBER-Bio curriculum that our team and other members have designed as well as a number of other resources to support you in teaching (see MBER Essentials). A community space meant to enable interaction on forums among teachers using MBER-Bio. A personal design space allowing you to customize and archive your own version of MBER-Bio.
Next Generation Science Storylines
The Next Generation Science Storylines project is dedicated to providing tools that support teachers in developing, adapting, and teaching with strongly aligned NGSS materials in classrooms around the country.
https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/high-school
What Does “Implementing the NGSS” Mean?
Operationalizing the Science Practices
for K–12 Classrooms from Horizon Research
Grades 9-12 Vignettes and Cross-Vignette Reflections – Pg. 87-116
Secondary Science Modules
Secondary science modules from U of Conn
Free exceptional documentary on the recent EPA decision about the Alaska Pebble Mine and Bristol Bay salmon fishery with grades 6-12 curriculum
Click here to watch the documentary, “The Wild” for free. It covers this complex issue from all sides, including interviews with the mining company executives, a pro-mining Senator from Alaska, biologists, commercial fishermen and women, recreational fishing guides, artists, and indigenous residents who have depended on this fishery for thousands of years. Additional information from the filmmaker
Accompanying curriculum designed for grades 6-12
For Purchase
Amplify Science
Independent study finds that Amplify Science K–5 fulfills mission of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and supports literacy instruction
A K–8 science curriculum that blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers.
Currently adopted by Trigg County, Pike County, Floyd County, Fayette County, EKU Model Lab
BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life
New High School Biology Program Earns “All-Green” Ratings from EdReports
The program includes four units, each centered around a 21st century societal challenge. Students are challenged to investigate. They “figure out” rather than “learn about” scientific phenomena.
Perfect Pairs from Stenhouse Publishers
Grades 3-5
Use as an entry into 3D phenomena-based teaching and learning for elementary teachers
Picture-Perfect Science from NSTA Press
This award-winning program features ready-to-teach elementary science lessons designed to help K-5 teachers integrate science and reading in an engaging, kid-friendly way.
Materials to Accompany OpenSciEd Curriculum (grades 6-12)
ECA Science Kit Services
Jeny Apt, VP of Business Development, japt@eca.bz
800-537-0008 | www.eca.bz
Quote Request: www.eca.bz/quotes
Assessment Examples and Resources
Through Course Task (TCT) Bank
The TCT Database is populated with TCTs available across grade levels and addressing the science and engineering processes as well as the crosscutting concepts.
Classroom Embedded Assessments (CEA) Bank
These CEA examples are offered as resources to support teachers in using these, and in developing their own. These CEAs were developed as part of two KDE-supported Math Science Partnership projects (2016-2018), each working with approximately 50 K-8 Kentucky teachers in different parts of the state.
Page Keeley – Formative Assessment
The Uncovering Student Ideas series contains individual formative assessment probes on NGSS topics. These are useful for identifying misconceptions and informing instruction. The Formative Assessment series provides descriptions of classroom strategies that allow continuous assessment are engaging for students.
Developing Assessments for the NGSS
Chapters 1 and 4 are especially useful for teachers.
Seeing Students Learn Science
Focus on classroom assessment
Next Generation Science Assessment
Sample classroom assessment items (MS)
NextGenScience
Classroom Assessment Tasks: MS and HS examples from Achieve
Leadership to Support an Effective Science Program
STEM Teaching Tools: 51 and 21
http://stemteachingtools.org/tools
NGSS: An Overview for Principals
Instructional Leadership for Science Practices (ILSP)
Guide to Implementing the Next Generation Science Standards
The Instructional Leader’s Guide to Implementing K–8 Science Practices
Science Classroom Observation Instruments aligned to SEPs
Grades K-2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Resources & Strategies to Make Sense of the Standards
KAS Science Standards — Revision Changes
KAS Standards Revision Changes: Compare and Contract between the 2015 document and the released 2022 Version: https://pimser.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/KAS-for-Science-Changes-Cross-walk-detailed-version-2015-and-2022.pdf
Must-have Resources
Three-Dimensional Learning
Activities & Effective Lesson Tools
The STEM Teaching Tools site has tools that can help you teach the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).These very short pieces highlight ways of working on specific issues that come up during STEM teaching. Includes a repository of tools and newsletter on how to use them, as well as short courses/PD modules.
Argument Driven Inquiry
Students need to understand the core ideas and crosscutting concepts of science and learn how to participate in scientific practices in order to be proficient in science. They also need to develop science specific literacy skills. Argument-Driven Inquiry is an innovative approach to laboratory instruction that is based on current research about how people learn science and current recommendations for making lab activities more meaningful for students.
Ignite Her Curiosity: 60 Children’s books to inspire females
Many of our favorite books for all ages about girls and women who love science, engineering, and math!
Bozeman Science
NGSS Playlist that contains a video on each of the 8 practices, 7 crosscutting concepts, and 44 disciplinary core ideas.
NGSS in Action
Observe students learning the NGSS in a kindergarten and 5th grade classroom, as well as an example of writing in science.
Where do I find phenomena?
| ACESSE Resource E: Selecting Anchoring Phenomena for Equitable 3D Teaching | https://stemteachingtools.org/pd/sessione |
| Anchoring Phenomenon Routine | https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/tools Storyline tool #1 |
| ASET Phenomenon Tool | https://www.nextgenaset.org/ngss/aset-toolkit/ (Note: phenomenon tool has not been added to website to date.) |
| “Focusing Science and Engineering Learning on Justice- Centered Phenomena across PK-12” | https://stemteachingtools.org/brief/67 |
| Links for phenomena ideas | https://www.georgiascienceteacher.org/phenomena https://www.ngssphenomena.com/ https://thewonderofscience.com/phenomenal |
| “Using Local Phenomena to Communicate Climate Solutions” | https://stemteachingtools.org/brief/69 |
| “Using Phenomena in NGSS-designed Lessons and Units” | https://stemteachingtools.org/brief/42 |
| “Qualities of a Good Anchor Phenomenon” | https://stemteachingtools.org/brief/28 |
Academically Productive Science Talk
Talk Science Primer
This work, funded by the National Science Foundation, has tips and ground rules for getting your students to discuss and think like scientists with academically productive talk.
Encouraging Academic Conversations with Talk Moves
What strategies can you take away for managing student Talk Moves? All content areas and grade levels can benefit from the strategies used by the teacher and students in this ELA 8th grade class,.
Modeling & Simulations
Wolfram Demonstration Project
Demonstrations can be used to enliven a classroom, visualize complex concepts or shed new light on cutting-edge ideas from academic and industrial workgroups.
http://cadrek12.org/stem-practices-scientific-modeling
Scientific Modeling Resources created through NSF funding
Using Computer Models to Visualize Changes in a Forest Ecosystem
PhET
Free, all grades
Concord Consortium
Free, all grades
NetLogo
Free download, MS and HS
Gizmos
Subscription, free 30 day trial, all grades
Tuva
Subscription, all grades – data analysis
Data
Tuva Labs
Numerous data sets that can be manipulated in a variety of ways; graphs, etc. can be downloaded
Data Nuggets
Activities that bring real scientific data in the classroom
Using Data in the Classroom
Data sources and tools, all disciplines
FieldScope from BSCS
Citizen Science Data
Real Examples from Kentucky Schools
What did it take to embrace the Vision of the KAS for Science? Muhlenberg County High School teachers meet to discuss reading, writing, and using informational text in Science and English classrooms
Professional Learning
PIMSER offers many support services for educators, schools, and school districts, including:
—Science Program Review
—Science Implementation Modules
—developing an improvement plan
–virtual mentoring support for new science teachers
–onsite professional learning or PLC guidance based on local needs
Learn about professional learning: STEM Teaching Tools: 9 and 13
http://stemteachingtools.org/tools
Conferences and events
Regional and national
Annual Conference
November 8-9, 2024
Western Kentucky University
Organizations Supporting Science Education
Free earth science resources
Maps, posters, PowerPoints, and other publications from the Kentucky Geological Survey to K – 12 classrooms.
Tools for Ambitious Science Teaching
Support materials, sample lessons, videos
MinuteEarth channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/minuteearth
MinutePhysics channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/minutephysics