ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has released a number of innovative new resources that will help science educators and leaders nationwide put the vision of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Framework for K-12 Science Education into action. They include Discover the NGSS: Primer and Unit Planner, the first-ever interactive e-book on the NGSS, complete with its own unit planner; NGSS-supported instructional resources vetted by an expert team of curators; and a series of videos showcasing NGSS-based teaching in action.
“We are seeing a tremendous amount of interest in and demand for materials based on the Framework and the NGSS, and it’s coming from teachers in all states, not just those that have adopted the NGSS,” said Juliana Texley, NSTA President. “These new NSTA resources will help all science teachers make important shifts in classroom instruction, regardless of the state in which they live.”
Discover the NGSS: Primer and Unit Planner
Discover the NGSS is a unique new tool that provides a comprehensive learning experience, allowing users to build an in-depth understanding of the new standards. The Enhanced E-book guides educators through a series of activities, simulations, videos, reflection activities, and assessments that explore numerous topics, including vision and history of the standards; the three dimensions of the NGSS—science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts; integration of the three dimensions; and translating the NGSS into classroom instruction. Discover the NGSS provides up to 40 hours of self-paced interactive learning and can be accessed online via browser on PC, Mac, or Chromebook and offline via NSTA Reader app on 10.1” iPad and Android tablets.
A highlight of this e-book is the Unit Planner that allows teachers, school leaders, and others to plan NGSS-supported units of study. The tool leads educators through a step-by-step process helping them organize their thinking and understanding about how a unit of study can be developed utilizing curricula they may have used in the past. The end result is a printable document of teacher-generated lesson ideas that are cohesive and meet the needs of both teachers and students.
NSTA members can purchase the Discover the NGSS e-book and Unit Planner for a discounted price of $55.95 (non-members $69.95) from the NSTA Science Store. To order by phone, call 800-277-5300 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET weekdays.
Discover the NGSS: Primer and Unit Planner isn't simply online learning—it's next generation learning online.
Vetted NGSS Classroom Resources
Led by an expert group of teacher curators, NSTA is vetting resources for K–12 science teachers, including lesson plans, units, instructional guides, books and book chapters, video simulations, and science kits. The first installment of these vetted resources is now available on the NGSS@NSTA Hub, with many more to come.
NSTA selected a group of 55 science educators to serve as NGSS@NSTA Curators. Using the EQuiP Rubric for Lessons and Units: Science to guide their work, the curators review each resource to evaluate how well it supports NGSS-based instruction—particularly how well it addresses performance expectations, science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts. The curators post a review of the resource on the NGSS@NSTA Hub, offer suggestions on how the resource could be used or adapted to best support NGSS-based instruction, and provide direct links to the free and fee-based resources.
The vetted resources can be browsed or searched via the “Classroom Resources” page on the NGSS@NSTA Hub and are also linked from the standards pages. The Hub, which has become a home base for teachers on the NGSS, also provides easy access to the standards in different formats, background information, professional learning opportunities, curriculum resources, and the latest NGSS news.
Videos: In the NGSS Classroom
Rounding out NSTA’s new resources is a series of videos introducing science teachers to important strategies based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education and the NGSS. The video collection highlights the major shifts in science instruction, explores the new role of the teacher, and demonstrates new instructional strategies in the high school classroom.
Two introductory videos feature Joe Krajcik, NGSS writer and Professor of Science Education and Director of the CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University; Kristin Mayer, science teacher and graduate student; and Kristen Degan, a science and math teacher at Williamston High School in Michigan. The educators share their experiences engaging students in three-dimensional learning, and discuss the impact the NGSS has had on their classroom practice. The remaining six videos feature Kristin Mayer leading high school students through lessons showcasing science and engineering practices. The videos run approximately 10 minutes each. Accompanying lesson plans will soon be available. To access the videos, visit the NGSS@NSTA Hub.
The new NSTA resources add to a growing collection of outstanding products and services offered by the Association to help all teachers of science work toward the vision of the NGSS and Framework and make important changes in instruction. They include books, web seminars, summer institutes, conference sessions, videos, journal articles, and more. Find all NSTA resources on the NGSS@NSTA Hub.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
