Standards Frameworks Used
NGSS
Next Generation Science Standards
Three-dimensional science & engineering learning standards adopted by 45+ states, integrating Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science & Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts.
www.nextgenscience.orgCCSS-M
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
College- and career-ready math standards adopted by 41 states, emphasizing mathematical understanding, procedural fluency, and application.
www.corestandards.org/Math/CSTA
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards
Comprehensive K-12 computer science education standards from the Computer Science Teachers Association covering algorithms, data, networks, and computing impacts.
www.csteachers.org/page/standardsNCAS
National Core Arts Standards
National standards for visual arts, music, drama, and dance emphasizing four artistic processes: Creating, Presenting, Responding, and Connecting.
www.nationalartsstandards.orgAcademy-to-Standards Mapping
Science Academy
NGSS Aligned- • 43+ lessons across 5 units
- • PS1–PS4, LS1–LS4, ESS1–ESS3 DCIs
- • All 8 SEPs | All 7 CCCs
- • Grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12
Engineering Academy
NGSS Aligned- • 48+ lessons across 5 units
- • ETS1.A/B/C Engineering Design
- • K-2-ETS1 through HS-ETS1
- • All 8 SEPs integrated
Math Academy
CCSS-M- • K–2 through Grade 7 lessons
- • OA, NBT, NF, RP, EE, G, SP domains
- • CCSS Mathematical Practices
- • Grades K–8
Code Academy
CSTA- • Algorithms & Programming strand
- • 1A, 1B, 2, 3A grade bands
- • Data & Analysis integration
- • Grades K–12
Art Academy
NCAS- • Visual Arts strand (VA)
- • Creating, Presenting, Responding, Connecting
- • VA:Cr, VA:Pr, VA:Re, VA:Cn codes
- • Grades K–12
NGSS Science & Engineering Practices (SEPs)
All 8 Science & Engineering Practices are embedded throughout Science Academy and Engineering Academy lessons. These practices describe the behaviors that scientists and engineers engage in when developing knowledge.
SEP 1: Asking Questions & Defining Problems
Students formulate scientific questions and identify engineering problems.
SEP 2: Developing & Using Models
Students build mental, physical, and computational models to represent phenomena.
SEP 3: Planning & Carrying Out Investigations
Students design and execute investigations to answer questions or test solutions.
SEP 4: Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Students analyze data sets and interpret patterns using statistical reasoning.
SEP 5: Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking
Students apply math and computation to represent and predict phenomena.
SEP 6: Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions
Students construct evidence-based scientific explanations and engineering designs.
SEP 7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Students use evidence to evaluate claims and arguments in science.
SEP 8: Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating Information
Students read, synthesize, and communicate scientific information.
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs)
All 7 Crosscutting Concepts are woven into lesson content to help students make connections across disciplines.
Patterns
Observing regularities to describe phenomena.
Cause and Effect
Identifying mechanisms that produce change.
Scale, Proportion & Quantity
Understanding phenomena at different scales.
Systems & System Models
Analyzing how parts interact within a whole.
Energy & Matter
Tracking how energy and matter flow through systems.
Structure & Function
Relating form to purpose and behavior.
Stability & Change
Examining what causes systems to stay stable or change.
Sample NGSS Performance Expectations
The following performance expectations represent a selection of those mapped across Science Academy and Engineering Academy lessons. Each lesson page displays its specific PE codes for easy reference.
Engineering Design
Define a simple problem
Grade K-2
Define a simple design problem
Grade 3-5
Define criteria & constraints of a design problem
Grade 6-8
Analyze a major global challenge
Grade 9-12
Physical Science
Plan & conduct investigations on pushes & pulls
Grade K-2
Plan & conduct investigations of sound vibrations
Grade K-2
Plan & conduct investigations of forces & motion
Grade 3-5
Use evidence to construct energy explanations
Grade 3-5
Develop models for molecular-level structure
Grade 6-8
Apply Newton's Third Law to collisions
Grade 6-8
Apply scientific principles of energy transfer
Grade 6-8
Use mathematical representations to describe waves
Grade 6-8
Use periodic table to predict chemical properties
Grade 9-12
Analyze data to support Newton's Second Law
Grade 9-12
Life Science
Develop models of organisms' life cycles
Grade 3-5
Develop models of food webs
Grade 3-5
Conduct investigations of cells
Grade 6-8
Analyze/interpret data for ecosystem components
Grade 6-8
Develop/use models of DNA and chromosomes
Grade 6-8
Apply anatomical similarity concept to evolution
Grade 6-8
Construct explanation based on evidence for cell theory
Grade 9-12
Construct explanation for how natural selection leads to adaptation
Grade 9-12
Earth & Space Science
Use & share observations of local weather
Grade K-2
Obtain information to identify where water is found
Grade K-2
Support argument about Earth's position in solar system
Grade 3-5
Obtain/combine information about human impacts
Grade 3-5
Develop/use models of Earth-Sun-Moon system
Grade 6-8
Construct explanation based on evidence for plate tectonics
Grade 6-8
Apply scientific principles to design climate change solutions
Grade 6-8
Develop model based on evidence for night sky differences
Grade 9-12
Develop model of Earth's interior
Grade 9-12
Evaluate or refine computational climate models
Grade 9-12
Resources for Educators
Use these resources to help justify curriculum integration, satisfy grant requirements, or communicate STEM standards alignment to parents and administrators.