Science
Science and Engineering Practices
The Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) show students how scientists and engineers investigate, model, and explain the world around us. They’re also the dimension of the NGSS that can most capture a student’s curiosity and show how science and engineering can help solve the major challenges facing our society.
- Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
- Developing and using models
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Using math and computational thinking
- Constructing an explanation (for science) and creating a solution (for engineering)
- Engaging in an argument stemming from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluation, and communicating information
Crosscutting Concepts
Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) help students make connections across Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), and unify the application of SEPs. These are often the most challenging concepts for students to figure out.
- Patterns
- Cause and Effect
- Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
- Systems and System Models
- Energy and Matter
- Structure and Function
- Stability and Change
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) are the main concepts that make up the NGSS. Grouped into four domains (Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science), DCIs form the broad content necessary to understand science.
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering, Technology and Application of Science
In its optimal implementation, an NGSS curriculum should coach students to think like scientists and engineers, grapple with core scientific principles, and support deep learning of concepts that cut across domains. We set out to create a science program that educators can use to bring three-dimensional science learning to life. Amplify Science is a robust, multimodal, hands-on program made to fulfill the new science standards, as well as a substantial number of ELA and math standards. Educators who adopt Amplify Science will have access to a comprehensive curriculum complete with detailed lesson plans, embedded assessments, hands-on activities and materials, digital simulations, and robust teacher support resources.
Built for new science standards and three-dimensional learning
Amplify Science’s NGSS curriculum meets higher expectations for science teaching and learning.
- Anchor phenomena, explored through diverse interdisciplinary contexts, serve as the foundation for compelling, coherent storylines.
- Research-based multimodal learning allows students to develop expertise in all Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) and deep understanding of Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) through experiences within a wide variety of contexts.
- Modeling tools enable students to create, and later revise, visualizations of their ideas of key scientific phenomena at critical points in the curriculum.
- Embedded engineering in units focused on engineering and technology emphasize that there’s not always one right answer, as students balance competing constraints to design the best justifiable solutions.
