NGSS Science and Engineering Practices

• Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, or unexpected results, to clarify and/or seek additional information.
• Ask questions that arise from examining models or a theory, to clarify and/or seek additional information and relationships.
• Ask questions to determine relationships, including quantitative relationships, between independent and dependent variables.
• Ask questions to clarify and refine a model, an explanation, or an engineering problem.
• Evaluate a question to determine if it is testable and relevant.
• Ask questions that can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory, research facilities, or field (e.g., outdoor environment) with available resources and, when appropriate, frame a hypothesis based on a model or theory.
• Ask and/or evaluate questions that challenge the premise(s) of an argument, the interpretation of a data set, or the suitability of a design.
• Define a design problem that involves the development of a process or system with interacting components and criteria and constraints that may include social, technical, and/or environmental considerations.

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science Addresses Questions About the Natural and Material World

  • • Not all questions can be answered by science.

    • Many decisions are not made using science alone, but rely on social and cultural contexts to resolve issues.

• Science Models, Laws, Mechanisms, and Theories Explain Natural Phenomena

  • • Scientists often use hypotheses to develop and test theories and explanations.

• Evaluate merits and limitations of two different models of the same proposed tool, process, mechanism or system in order to select or revise a model that best fits the evidence or design criteria.
• Design a test of a model to ascertain its reliability.
• Develop, revise, and/or use a model based on evidence to illustrate and/or predict the relationships between systems or between components of a system.
• Develop and/or use multiple types of models to provide mechanistic accounts and/or predict phenomena, and move flexibly between model types based on merits and limitations.
• Develop a complex model that allows for manipulation and testing of a proposed process or system.
• Develop and/or use a model (including mathematical and computational) to generate data to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems.

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science is a Way of Knowing

  • • Science is both a body of knowledge that represents a current understanding of natural systems and the processes used to refine, elaborate, revise, and extend this knowledge.

    • Science knowledge has a history that includes the refinement of, and changes to, theories, ideas, and beliefs over time.

• Scientific Investigations Use a Variety of Methods

  • • Science investigations use diverse methods and do not always use the same set of procedures to obtain data.

    • The discourse practices of science are organized around disciplinary domains that share exemplars for making decisions regarding the values, instruments, methods, models, and evidence to adopt and use.

• Scientific Knowledge Is Open to Revision in Light of New Evidence

  • • Most scientific knowledge is quite durable, but is, in principle, subject to change based on new evidence and/or reinterpretation of existing evidence.

    • Scientific argumentation is a mode of logical discourse used to clarify the strength of relationships between ideas and evidence that may result in revision of an explanation.

• Science Models, Laws, Mechanisms, and Theories Explain Natural Phenomena

  • • Models, mechanisms, and explanations collectively serve as tools in the development of a scientific theory.

• Plan an investigation or test a design individually and collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence as part of building and revising models, supporting explanations for phenomena, or testing solutions to problems. Consider possible confounding variables or effects and evaluate the investigation’s design to ensure variables are controlled.
• Plan and conduct an investigation individually and collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence, and in the design: decide on types, how much, and accuracy of data needed to produce reliable measurements and consider limitations on the precision of the data (e.g., number of trials, cost, risk, time), and refine the design accordingly.
• Plan and conduct an investigation or test a design solution in a safe and ethical manner including considerations of environmental, social, and personal impacts.
• Select appropriate tools to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data.
• Make directional hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated.
• Manipulate variables and collect data about a complex model of a proposed process or system to identify failure points or improve performance relative to criteria for success or other variables.

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science Is a Human Endeavor

  • • Science is a result of human endeavors, imagination, and creativity.

    • Technological advances have influenced the progress of science and science has influenced advances in technology.

• Scientific Investigations Use a Variety of Methods

  • • Science investigations use diverse methods and do not always use the same set of procedures to obtain data.

    • New technologies advance scientific knowledge.

    • Scientific inquiry is characterized by a common set of values that include: logical thinking, precision, open-mindedness, objectivity, skepticism, replicability of results, and honest and ethical reporting of findings.

    • The discourse practices of science are organized around disciplinary domains that share exemplars for making decisions regarding the values, instruments, methods, models, and evidence to adopt and use.

    • Scientific investigations use a variety of methods, tools, and techniques to revise and produce new knowledge.

• Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.
• Apply concepts of statistics and probability (including determining function fits to data, slope, intercept, and correlation coefficient for linear fits) to scientific and engineering questions and problems, using digital tools when feasible.
• Consider limitations of data analysis (e.g., measurement error, sample selection) when analyzing and interpreting data.
• Compare and contrast various types of data sets (e.g., self-generated, archival) to examine consistency of measurements and observations.
• Evaluate the impact of new data on a working explanation and/or model of a proposed process or system.
• Analyze data to identify design features or characteristics of the components of a proposed process or system to optimize it relative to criteria for success.

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science is a Way of Knowing

  • • Science distinguishes itself from other ways of knowing through use of empirical standards, logical arguments, and skeptical review.

• Scientific Investigations Use a Variety of Methods

  • • Scientific inquiry is characterized by a common set of values that include: logical thinking, precision, open-mindedness, objectivity, skepticism, replicability of results, and honest and ethical reporting of findings.

    • The discourse practices of science are organized around disciplinary domains that share exemplars for making decisions regarding the values, instruments, methods, models, and evidence to adopt and use.

    • Scientific investigations use a variety of methods, tools, and techniques to revise and produce new knowledge.

• Science Knowledge is Based on Empirical Evidence

  • • Science knowledge is based on empirical evidence.

    • Science disciplines share common rules of evidence used to evaluate explanations about natural systems.

    • Science includes the process of coordinating patterns of evidence with current theory.

    • Science arguments are strengthened by multiple lines of evidence supporting a single explanation.

• Scientific Knowledge Is Open to Revision in Light of New Evidence

  • • Most scientific knowledge is quite durable, but is, in principle, subject to change based on new evidence and/or reinterpretation of existing evidence.

• Create and/or revise a computational model or simulation of a phenomenon, designed device, process, or system.
• Use mathematical, computational, and/or algorithmic representations of phenomena or design solutions to describe and/or support claims and/or explanations.
• Apply techniques of algebra and functions to represent and solve scientific and engineering problems.
• Use simple limit cases to test mathematical expressions, computer programs, algorithms, or simulations of a process or system to see if a model “makes sense” by comparing the outcomes with what is known about the real world.
• Apply ratios, rates, percentages, and unit conversions in the context of complicated measurement problems involving quantities with derived or compound units (such as mg/mL, kg/m3, acre-feet, etc.)

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science Knowledge is Based on Empirical Evidence

  • • Science includes the process of coordinating patterns of evidence with current theory.

• Scientific Knowledge Is Open to Revision in Light of New Evidence

  • • Scientific explanations can be probabilistic.

• Science Models, Laws, Mechanisms, and Theories Explain Natural Phenomena

  • • Laws are statements or descriptions of the relationships among observable phenomena.

• Make a quantitative and/or qualitative claim regarding the relationship between dependent and independent variables.
• Construct and revise an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
• Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena and solve design problems, taking into account possible unanticipated effects.
• Apply scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to the claims to assess the extent to which the reasoning and data support the explanation or conclusion.
• Design, evaluate, and/or refine a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized.

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science is a Way of Knowing

  • • Science distinguishes itself from other ways of knowing through use of empirical standards, logical arguments, and skeptical review.

• Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

  • • Scientific knowledge is based on the assumption that natural laws operate today as they did in the past and they will continue to do so in the future.

    • Science assumes the universe is a vast single system in which basic laws are consistent.

• Science Knowledge is Based on Empirical Evidence

  • • Science disciplines share common rules of evidence used to evaluate explanations about natural systems.

    • Science includes the process of coordinating patterns of evidence with current theory.

    • Science arguments are strengthened by multiple lines of evidence supporting a single explanation.

• Scientific Knowledge Is Open to Revision in Light of New Evidence

  • • Scientific explanations can be probabilistic.

    • Scientific argumentation is a mode of logical discourse used to clarify the strength of relationships between ideas and evidence that may result in revision of an explanation.

• Compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions in light of currently accepted explanations, new evidence, limitations (e.g., trade-offs), constraints, and ethical issues.
• Evaluate the claims, evidence, and/or reasoning behind currently accepted explanations or solutions to determine the merits of arguments.
• Respectfully provide and/or receive critiques on scientific arguments by probing reasoning and evidence, challenging ideas and conclusions, responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, and determining additional information required to resolve contradictions.
• Construct, use, and/or present an oral and written argument or counter-arguments based on data and evidence.
• Make and defend a claim based on evidence about the natural world or the effectiveness of a design solution that reflects scientific knowledge and student generated evidence.
• Evaluate competing design solutions to a real-world problem based on scientific ideas and principles, empirical evidence, and/or logical arguments regarding relevant factors (e.g. economic, societal, environmental, ethical considerations).

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science is a Way of Knowing

  • • Science is both a body of knowledge that represents a current understanding of natural systems and the processes used to refine, elaborate, revise, and extend this knowledge.

    • Science is a unique way of knowing and there are other ways of knowing.

    • Science distinguishes itself from other ways of knowing through use of empirical standards, logical arguments, and skeptical review.

    • Science knowledge has a history that includes the refinement of, and changes to, theories, ideas, and beliefs over time.

• Science Is a Human Endeavor

  • • Science and engineering are influenced by society and society is influenced by science and engineering.

• Science Addresses Questions About the Natural and Material World

  • • Not all questions can be answered by science.

    • Science and technology may raise ethical issues for which science, by itself, does not provide answers and solutions.

    • Science knowledge indicates what can happen in natural systems—not what should happen. The latter involves ethics, values, and human decisions about the use of knowledge.

    • Many decisions are not made using science alone, but rely on social and cultural contexts to resolve issues.

• Science Knowledge Is Based on Empirical Evidence

  • • Science knowledge is based on empirical evidence.

    • Science disciplines share common rules of evidence used to evaluate explanations about natural systems.

    • Science arguments are strengthened by multiple lines of evidence supporting a single explanation.

• Scientific Knowledge Is Open to Revision in Light of New Evidence

  • • Scientific argumentation is a mode of logical discourse used to clarify the strength of relationships between ideas and evidence that may result in revision of an explanation.

• Critically read scientific literature adapted for classroom use to determine the central ideas or conclusions and/or to obtain scientific and/or technical information to summarize complex evidence, concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms.
• Compare, integrate and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a scientific question or solve a problem.
• Gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and usefulness of each source.
• Evaluate the validity and reliability of and/or synthesize multiple claims, methods, and/or designs that appear in scientific and technical texts or media reports, verifying the data when possible.
• Communicate scientific and/or technical information or ideas (e.g. about phenomena and/or the process of development and the design and performance of a proposed process or system) in multiple formats (i.e., orally, graphically, textually, mathematically).

Related Nature of Science Standards:

• Science is a Way of Knowing

  • • Science is both a body of knowledge that represents a current understanding of natural systems and the processes used to refine, elaborate, revise, and extend this knowledge.

    • Science knowledge has a history that includes the refinement of, and changes to, theories, ideas, and beliefs over time.

• Science Is a Human Endeavor

  • • Science is a result of human endeavors, imagination, and creativity.

    • Individuals and teams from many nations and cultures have contributed to science and to advances in engineering.

    • Technological advances have influenced the progress of science and science has influenced advances in technology.

• Science Knowledge Is Based on Empirical Evidence

  • • Science includes the process of coordinating patterns of evidence with current theory.

    • Science arguments are strengthened by multiple lines of evidence supporting a single explanation.

• Science Models, Laws, Mechanisms, and Theories Explain Natural Phenomena

  • • Theories and laws provide explanations in science, but theories do not with time become laws or facts.

    • A scientific theory is a substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment and the science community validates each theory before it is accepted. If new evidence is discovered that the theory does not accommodate, the theory is generally modified in light of this new evidence.