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NGSS: Core Ideas and Cross-Cutting Concepts

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Are you a STEM, STEAM, and/or science teacher looking for great edtech for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)? Browse hundreds of apps, games, and websites evaluated by our expert reviewers and tagged for relevant Performance Expectations (PEs).

To find the right tool for your NGSS-aligned activities, lessons, and curriculum: select a grade, choose a topic, and then find the PE that interests you. Click the green arrow on the right-hand side of the PE to see a list of suggested tools. Just below each PE you'll see three NGSS dimensions - Science and Engineering Practices (SEP), Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI), and Crosscutting Concepts (CC) - for quick and easy reference.

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Next Generation Science Standards Explorer

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Common Sense Education provides educators and students with the resources they need to harness the power of technology for learning and life. Find a free K-12 Digital Citizenship curriculum, reviews of popular EdTech apps, and resources for protecting student privacy.

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Splice has been following the changes and improvements of Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) for the past six months. This November (2016) we extended the list of Top 7 to Top 9 Best ELNs you can currently choose from. Our review is focusing on ELNs that offer the best price performance ratio for universities and research institutions.

ELNs from companies such as PerkinElmer, Agilent Technologies, BIOVIA (formerly known as Accelrys) and IDBS are missing from the list because their features are more appropriate for regulated environments and are often too expensive for academic labs. At the moment there are approximately 100 ELNs available to researchers. In this updated article, we are focusing on the top 9 of available ELNs that fit our criteria. Reviews can be seen below.
Paper-based lab notebooks
It is no secret that the paper-based laboratory notebook is the most widely used form of experimental data tracking in labs worldwide. It´s been around for several centuries (even da Vinci had one) and you will find it in the cabinet of every scientist. But does that necessarily imply that it´s also the most efficient way of recording scientific data?

Experimental records that aren´t being digitized account for 17% loss of all research data and lab books are becoming the bottlenecks in information management. This poses great repeatability threats, enormous costs and considerable limitations for knowledge sharing within an organization and the community.

To be fair, paper lab books seemed to have done the job pretty well so far and there are many features that make it great; e.g. they´re inexpensive and don't require batteries to run. Yet there are only few things we haven´t modernized for over a century, let alone a millennium. Technological advances simply make things better and you won´t find anyone doing their taxes on an abacus.

A glimpse of the future

Automation and digitization enabled researchers to achieve outputs like never before. With hundreds of emerging knowledge sharing platforms, data can now be distributed globally before you can say "DNA". The integration-based approach has allowed science to flourish and interoperability is swiftly becoming the new buzzword in modern research. Imagine all your instruments can send the analysis data directly into a single software. No more running around with USB sticks, copy-pasting, printing, cutting and gluing.

Introducing the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)

ELN stands for Electronic Laboratory Notebook, but it goes far beyond just being a replacement for paper. It brings forth systematical, safe and efficient data storage along with interoperable data distribution.

The majority of the recently developed ELNs were set up as a cloud-based software (like Dropbox) which means that researchers can also seamlessly collaborate in real-time, eliminate tedious manual data exchange and overcome hurdles in communication. And best of all, an ELN doesn´t have to stay locked up in the lab when you leave.
Figure caption: Did I mention that electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) are coffee-proof?
Since the worldwide governments issued laws stating that all electronic records have the same validity as paper records in 2000, the number of available ELNs increased rapidly. Today, approximately 8% of labs already started implementing ELNs and the number of those who are thinking about implementing one has risen by 10% in less than a year (Survey in: Webinar Learn how to pipette like a pro) . Yet naysayers remain, who often claim that using paper is easier than its electronic counterparts. But is it really? Universities conduct whole courses on lab book documentation - just check out this lab notebook maintenance manual from Columbia University.

Whatever your stance on electronic lab notebooks may be, it´s clear that a revolution is slowly but surely coming. With over 60 ELNs out there it is really hard to decide where to start. That´s why we rounded up the 9 very best ELNs out there that will make your transition easier when you choose to take the red pill.

Our criteria - ELN features under the magnifying glass

USER EXPERIENCE

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Intuitiveness

Support (on-line support, available manuals and video tutorials)

INTEROPERABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY

Multi device compatibility

Working with different operating systems and browsers

Cloud

Real-time collaboration

Instrument integration and open APIs

BUSINESS MODEL AND PRICING

Licensing model

Free version (yes or no)

Cost efficiency

The verdict - Our choice of the 9 best ELNs

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Each lab has its own set of expectations, intents and capabilities, which will most likely never be fully met by a single universal ELN. Open source electronic lab notebooks provide a perfect solution, as they can be customized for specific applications and further inspire innovation from the community of end users. Free electronic lab notebooks also have higher adoption rates compared to those that have no option for a free user account as users take no risk by paying for something which at the end they don't like.

Labs of the future will indisputably rely on interoperability of their instruments and devices. I believe that ELNs we have listed here will be capable to stand the test of time as they are already compatible with smartphones and tablets. The instruments will follow next.

Conclusion

It´s an exciting time to be a researcher. We are witnessing a digital revolution of science and we´ll get to explore the benefits it brings. The electronic laboratory notebook is at the helm of the revolution when it comes to labs and a much-needed breath of fresh air in experimental data management. There are now several great ELNs to choose from, each providing its unique set of tools to make your work easier and more effective. I hope this review will help you choose yours and make a step towards a digital tomorrow.

By Luka Zupančič, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Vienna

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Top 9 Best Electronic Lab Notebooks Review

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Splice has been following the changes and improvements of Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) for the past six months. This November (2016) we extended the list of Top 7 to Top 9 Best ELNs you can currently choose from. Our review is focusing on ELNs that offer the best price performance ratio for universities and research institutions.

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California Science Test Informational Video - California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System (CA Dept of Education)

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A general overview of the pilot California Science Test and how it aligns with to the California Next Generation Science Standards.

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The NSTA Next Generation Science Standards Hub offers information, resources, news, professional learning opportunities, and expert advice in understanding and implementing the Next Generation Science Standards - NGSS

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This site is a curated collection of science phenomena for the NGSS, along with phenomenon based learning resources and help for how to use phenomenon to drive student questions in the classroom centered around 3 dimensional teaching and learning.

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NGSS - Next Generation Science Standards - bozemanscience

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Anatomy and Physiology AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics Biology Chemistry Earth Science Educational NGSS - Next Generation Science Standards Physics Statistics & Graphing

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Energy & Matter Across Science Disciplines

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Students in Tricia Shelton's 9th and 10th grade science class apply the idea of energy transfer and energy flows in a system from their life science experiences to a physical science system. Students deepen their understanding of the law of conservation of energy by using evidence and reasoning to apply thinking about energy across disciplines.

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Check out the guidance for the steps to designing a coherent NGSS aligned storyline. Explore unpacking, identifying phenomena, and sequencing investigations to help students build science ideas, step by step.

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Access Google Sites with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

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Read "Developing Assessments for the Next Generation Science Standards" at NAP.edu

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Assessments, understood as tools for tracking what and how well students have learned, play a critical role in the classroom. Developing Assessments for the Next Generation Science Standards develops an approach to science assessment to meet the vision of science education for the future as it has been elaborated in A Framework for K-12 Science Education (Framework) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

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Practice Brief 30 -- Topics:Assessment Equity Practices
Integrating Science Practices Into Assessment Tasks

The new vision for science education articulated in the Next Generation Science Standards guides students toward a "three dimensional" understanding of science-one that integrates disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and real-world practices from science and engineering.

With this new three-dimensional model for learning, students will need new assessments to demonstrate their knowledge and competencies, ones that integrate multiple strands of student abilities. Developing assessments that combine these multiple strands presents new challenges for educators, from developing informal classroom formative assessments to those creating high-stakes state-level testing.

This detailed and flexible tool suggests activity formats to help teachers create three-dimensional assessments based on real-world science and engineering practices.

In response to this felt need being expressed among educators, researchers at the Research + Practice Collaboratory has developed a series of "task format" tables, which suggest different possible templates for student activities that integrate real-world science and engineering practices with disciplinary core ideas. This tool also combines two of the Research + Practice Collaboratory's major focuses: formative assessment and engaging learners in STEM practices.

This tool offers between four and eight possible task formats for each of the science and engineering practices listed in the Next Generation Science Standards. It can be a great way for educators to brainstorm new activities or to adapt their existing lesson plans to this new three-dimensional vision.
PDF download

Authors:

KATIE VAN HORNE, WILLIAM R. PENUEL, AND PHILIP BELL | VERSION 2.0 | MARCH 2016 | UPDATED FEBRUARY 2018

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This site is primarily funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through Award #1920249 (previously through Awards #1238253 and #1854059). Opinions expressed are not those of any funding agency.

Work is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Others may adapt with attribution. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Opinions expressed are not those of any funding agency.

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Integrating Science Practices Into Assessment Tasks : StemTeachingTools (en-US)

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Practice Brief 30 -- Topics:Assessment Equity Practices The new vision for science education articulated in the Next Generation Science Standards guides students toward a "three dimensional" understanding of science-one that integrates disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and real-world practices from science and engineering.

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Read "A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas" at NAP.edu

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Read chapter 4 Dimension 2: Crosscutting Concepts: Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to sol...

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A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas Get This Book

Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S. workers lack fundamental knowledge in these fields. To address the critical issues of U.S. competitiveness and to better prepare the workforce, A Framework for K-12 Science Education proposes a new approach to K-12 science education that will capture students' interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field.

A Framework for K-12 Science Education outlines a broad set of expectations for students in science and engineering in grades K-12. These expectations will inform the development of new standards for K-12 science education and, subsequently, revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development for educators. This book identifies three dimensions that convey the core ideas and practices around which science and engineering education in these grades should be built. These three dimensions are: crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science through their common application across science and engineering; scientific and engineering practices; and disciplinary core ideas in the physical sciences, life sciences, and earth and space sciences and for engineering, technology, and the applications of science. The overarching goal is for all high school graduates to have sufficient knowledge of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on science-related issues, be careful consumers of scientific and technical information, and enter the careers of their choice.

A Framework for K-12 Science Education is the first step in a process that can inform state-level decisions and achieve a research-grounded basis for improving science instruction and learning across the country. The book will guide standards developers, teachers, curriculum designers, assessment developers, state and district science administrators, and educators who teach science in informal environments.

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Read "A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas" at NAP.edu

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A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas Get This Book Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S.