Resources
Resources for NGSS and STEM curriculum
Resources Developed by Dean
Downloadable NGSS Resources on “Padlet”

Storyboarding an NGSS Unit
Learn how to effectively use this unique resource for NGSS and STEM Curriculum. For example, the 40”x40” laminated graphic organizer below is used to conceptualize an NGSS phenomenon-based unit of instruction. Consequently, this leads to specific lesson plans using the 5E inquiry model.
Automatically download the PDF below by clicking on “Click to access Chart-CA.pdf”
Unit/Lesson Development Resources Designed by Dean
- NGSS Unit Planning PPT
- PBL and STEM Connection PPT
- NGSS Year-at-a-Glance Template
- Classroom Safety & Liability PPT
- Sample NGSS Lessons linked to phenomena 9-12
- Sample NGSS Lessons linked to phenomena 6-8
- Sample NGSS Lessons linked to phenomena K-5
- HS Bio Earth NGSS Course Template
- HS Chem Earth NGSS Course Template
- HS Physics Earth NGSS Course Template
Resources Developed by other Regional/National science experts
National/ California Frameworks
- NRC- National Framework for K-12 Science Ed-Free PDF download
- CA Science Framework (final version, 2016)
- CA Science Framework – PDF download
- NGSS Evidence Statements – details on Performance Expectations
- Common Core State Standards for Science
CA State & Local STEM/NGSS Resources
- Next Generation Science Standards– For States, By States (Achieve)
- CA County Offices of Ed Science/STEM Units – Resources
- CDE- NGSS- Frequently Asked Questions
- CDE- NGSS Implementation Plan for California
- CDE- NGSS- Learning Progressions
- CDE-Accountability Model & School Dashboard for California
- Concord Consortium– Find Your Path through the NGSS
- Environmental Education Initiative Curriculum (EEI curriculum) – Resources, training
- INNOVATE:Superintendent Torlakson’s STEM Task Force Report
- Natural Sciences-competency statements Expected of entering Freshman
- UC A-G Course list – search by institution or course

Phenomena-based Lesson and Unit Planning
Using Phenomena
- Exploratorium Science Snacks – explorations of phenomena with inexpensive materials
- Georgia State Phenomena Bank – Best site yet for phenomena, tips for use, guiding questions – searchable
- Phenomena for NGSS – searchable photos or GIFs to engage students
- Project Phenomena – Searchable Phenomena for NGSS lessons
- Phenomena: a Science Salon – from National Geographic
- The Wonder of Science Phenomena Bank – Searchable by PE’s
- YouTube Channel Trailer – Dramatic video trailers for biology, earth science, physics, astronomy and chemistry
NGSS-aligned Lesson/Unit Planning
- STEM Teaching Tools – over 50 short pieces highlighting ways of working on specific issues
- Bundling the NGSS – grouping standards for planning
- Choosing Instructional Materials: Lessons Learned– NSTA
- Curiosity Machine – Engineering design-based challenges-excellent!
- Lesson Plans Exploring NGSS: Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency
- Next Generation Science Storylines: Examples: science ideas to explain phenomena and solve problems
- NGSS Instructional Materials Selection Guide
- Serendip Studio – Alignment of Activities with NGSS, Grades 6-12

NGSS-aligned Curriculum
- Better Lesson – NGSS-aligned Master Teacher Lessons, K-12
- Digital Chalkboard– California NGSS Resources/Rollout PD’s
- Digital Chalkboard– Integrated Middle School Science (IMSS)
- LAUSD Curriculum Maps (MS Integrated) – by Instructional Segments: optional Phenomena, Questions, Assessments, Units/Lessons
- LAUSD Curriculum Maps (HS 3-Course Model) – by Instructional Segments: optional Phenomena, Questions, Assessments, Units/Lessons
- OpenSciEd – TOP Instructional materials, Webinars, PD
- Quality Examples of Science Lessons and Units -NextGenScience k-12
- SCALE: Integrated NGSS project-based curriculum-7th-8th grade
- SCALE: Integrated NGSS project-based curriculum-6th grade
NGSS Instructional Shifts/Practices
- Argumentation Toolkit – Supporting teacher learning about argumentation – TERRIFIC Resource!
- Enhanced CER template – From Santa Clara Office of Ed
- Instructional Leadership for Science Practices – Great tools for assist educators with the implementation of NGSS SEPs
- NSTA Learning Center – searchable webinars, resources, pedagogy
- NSTA- NGSS Web Seminar Series
- Tools for Ambitious Science Teaching – AWESOME SITE! Case Studies/Videos of teachers thinking as they design lessons

NGSS Aligned Activities/Simulations/Media
- Amoeba Sisters – Creative animated biology videos students LOVE
- BioMan (HS) FREE biology/health games, virtual labs and videos
- Bozeman Science– NGSS Videos/Resources (the BEST!)
- Link Engineering– Resources linking content and engineering design
- NSTA Hub– Classroom Resources
- Phet Simulations – all sciences: EXCELLENT for data analysis
- Scratch Science Simulations – program your own interactive stories, games, animations
- Smithsonian Science HOW (MS) – meet scientists via webcasts/webchats
- UC Berkeley- Understanding Science (UC Berkeley) – Science Flow chart mapping tools for download
- Teach Engineering– NGSS-aligned hands-on lessons, activities and maker challenges
- Try Engineering– Lessons to use in the classroom
STEM Competitions, Summer Enrichment, Field Research

Informational Text Digital Resources
- Phys.org – excellent short science information texts; updated daily
- Biographic – California Academy of Sciences: great articles, videos and photos
- Science Magazine – Science news in brief, with images and video – MS-HS
- Boston Public Schools – non-fiction text passages, questions to support close reading assignments for K-12
- Britannica School – free access to Encyclopedia Britannica – MS-HS
- Science News for Students – reporting current events in STEM fields – MS
- CK-12 – create customized textbooks
- EPIC – Access to thousands of high quality, popular books for K-5
- Science News (Society for Science & the Public) – latest new, all fields – 9th & up
- Informational Texts in Science– downloadable list of more resources
- Microsoft Translator – (Windows-based only) Free App to translate words, documents, websites in real time
- National Geographic – Science news and features – MS-HS
- Science Daily – latest articles in many science domains – grades 8-12
- Newsela – Builds reading comprehension with relevant nonfiction taken from daily news
- Open Educational Resources – accessing complex & informational Texts
- PBS learning media – searchable innovative, standards-aligned resources, PD opportunities
- Science environmental articles for students – Cutting edge peer-reviewed environmental science research for MS-HS
- Science world – articles from Scholastic. Many available without a subscription
- Scientific American – Science news and features – grades 8-12
- Scholastic Learn at Home – Daily learning experiences, built around a story or video.
- Soft Schools.com – reading comprehension in science
- ReadWorks.org – reading passages filtered by subject/grade/product
- Time for kids – Authentic journalism on many topics for curious K-6 students
- Tween Tribune-Smithsonian – Science, technology, feature news written by kids and journalists
Assessment Resources
CAST Info Video – latest state info on testing, good basic intro to new standards
- CAST Testing Resources: PDF fact sheet, resources, HS administration info and parent guide
- CAASPP Online Practice and Training Tests Portal – official
- Alternate CAA Science Testing Resources: PDF fact sheet, resources and parent guide
- CAA IEP team guidance – CAA Alternate Assessments for ELA, Math and Science (PDF)
- Some of the Best Digital Formative Assessment Tools for Teachers, from Educational Technology and Mobil Learning
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)- Science Assessment
- Developing Assessments for the NGSS – free PDF download
- Edulastic – NGSS Assessments for Science Instruction
- IXL Science – short formative assessments with vibrant visuals
- Next Generation Science Assessments Task Portal
- Performance Assessment Resource Bank – includes complex projects
- PISA-Program for Int’l Student Assessment
- Performance Task Assessment– learn to create your own culminating task
- Research + Practice Collaboratory – create 3D assessments with SEPs
- Stanford NGSS Assessment Project (SNAP) – model assessments
- STEM Teaching Tools – Short Course: How to Develop 3D Formative Assessments for the Science Classroom
Rubric/Evaluation sites
- Criteria for Procurring and Evaluating High Quality and Aligned Summative Science Assessments: summative assessment criteria guide developed by Achieve
- iRubric – Grading made easy!
- NGSS EQuIP Rubric for Lessons & Units (Achieve)
- Rubistar – Create your own Rubrics, use exemplary ones designed for science, PBL
- TeAch-nology – Rubic maker tools
Science Partnerships

Credentialing
- Authorizations to Teach Integrated Science in Grades 6 – 8
- Commission on Teacher Credentialing– Update on changes in credentialing
- Science Credentials and Authorizations (CSTA)
- Specialized Single Subject Science Credentials and Alignment with NGSS in California
Safety and Equipment
- At Home Science Safety – for teachers and students
- Classroom Safety & Liability PPT
- CSTA Recommended Minimum Core Laboratory Inventory

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