‘Diversity in STEM' competition

STEM lesson "Telegram" at school

or Paper Airplanes & AR & IT

THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF SCIENCE LEARNING

Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science. These dimensions are combined to form each standard—or performance expectation—and each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time.

ce Science, and Engineering Design.

Crosscutting Concepts help students explore connections across the four domains of science, including Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design.

When these concepts, such as “cause and effect”, are made explicit for students, they can help students develop a coherent and scientifically-based view of the world around them.

Science and Engineering Practices describe what scientists do to investigate the natural world and what engineers do to design and build systems. The practices better explain and extend what is meant by “inquiry” in science and the range of cognitive, social, and physical practices that it requires. Students engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge of core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

GRADE RANGE

3rd-5th

GROUP SIZE

15-16 students

ACTIVE TIME

1 hour

TOTAL TIME

1 hour

AREA OF SCIENCE

Mechanical Engineering

KEY CONCEPTS

Engineering design, design problem, criteria, constraints