NGSS Ideas

What are Critical and Computational Thinking?

Critical thinking skills play an important role in STEM-based science education. Computational thinking is a newer concept that describes the skills needed to program computers. How do these two concepts apply to education?

How does Creativity Work for Scientists and Engineers?

Scientists help us understand the physical world. Engineers give us solutions to real-world problems. In the last decade, we have been integrating these disciplines into K-12 educational systems because of the important role they play in society. By giving kids who are interested in science and engineering fields more opportunities to participate in related activities early on, we make it more likely that they will be able to succeed in those fields of study. Both of these fields depend on...

Three ways to Talk about Electricity in Nature

Most kids don’t spend time worrying about how we get electricity. As long as they can charge their cell phones, keep their televisions running, and microwave a hot pocket when they get hungry, they happily ignore it. They study electricity in school and do some of the standard experiments like connecting snap-together circuits and seeing how much lemon juice it takes to power a light bulb. But why not switch it up a little by looking at how electricity occurs...

Electricity in Nature – Auroras

Auroras occur when electrically charged particles from the sun’s atmosphere reach the earth’s atmosphere. When they react with the gases in the earth’s atmosphere, particles of light are created. The color of the light is dependent on the type of gas and the location of the gas in the atmosphere. Auroras can be used to discuss several topics including: Electricity Electromagnetism Space and our place in the universe Environment and ecosystems For more information on auroras, here are some links:...

Electricity in Nature – Electroreception

Electroreception is the ability for species to sense electricity. It is used to communicate, to hunt, establish territory, breed, and to sense location. An animal that sends or receives and electric signal is known as weakly electric, and almost all weakly electric species are aquatic. The exceptions are platypus, echidna, cockroaches, and bees. Electroreception can be used to discuss many topics: Electricity Evolution Ecosystems Biology Here are a few links: For information about aquatic species: How sharks and other animals...

Electricity in Nature – Lightning

Lightning can used to discuss several topics: Static electricity versus current electricity How electric charge can transfer into heat, light, and sound Conductivity and the qualities of a conductor Looking for some good links to learn about how lightning works? Here are a few: What Causes Lightning? (Plant Science) Age range: 11 and under Lightning Facts (National Geographic Kids) Age range: 6 to 10 What is lightning? (National Geographic) This has some great photos and an excellent video! Age range:...

Two Books about Combining Creativity with Common Core Standards

Imagine you are a teacher trying to implement a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) approach to teaching in your classroom. You have heard of project-based learning and know that it helps kids build skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. All of these skills are part of STEM and are considered valuable skills for college and today’s job market. You want to try project-based learning in your classroom, but you have been avoiding it because the thought of trying...

When Engineering Happens: How Mini Skateboards Teach Design Thinking

“We tried all the systems that had been tried before, then we tried our own systems and we tried some combinations that no one had ever thought of. Eventually, we flew.” – Orville Wright When you think about STEM  (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math-related programs), the “science” and “math” parts of the acronym are the ones we can relate to. Those were two of the mandatory subjects we all studied starting as young children on through high school.  Technology speaks...

Five Sites to Introduce Electricity and Circuits

Are looking for good introductory level information on electricity and circuits? Here are links to sites that we have found to contain clear discussions about the basics. They all have content that is appropriate for the fourth grade level energy curriculum specified by the Next Generation Science Standards, and they are good for anyone needing information about how electricity works:   Explainthatstuff.com This site has lots of good science and technology information that is directed toward kids. There is an...

Three Books that Teach Kids about Electricity

If you are looking for books that can teach kids about electricity, here are four that are sure to work. They are all written in a manner that will engage your child or class in the history and science of electricity. Take a look: Charged Up: The Story of Electricity by Jacqui Bailey Some kids learn better when the information is given in the form of a story. If your child fits this learning mode, then they are sure to...