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Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education (or STEAM education, with the addition of the Arts) is increasingly important in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. While every student will not grow up to become a scientist, all students need to have basic scientific and technical literacy in order to be informed citizens and active participants in the global economy. Scientific thinking empowers students to ask good questions about the world around them, become flexible and adaptable problem solvers, and engage in effective decision making in a variety of domains. Thinking Maps can help teachers nurture a scientific mindset in students and support mastery of important STEM skills and content.

What Does It Mean to Think Like a Scientist?

Science is much more than a set of facts in a textbook. It is a way of observing the world around us, asking questions, and systematically investigating the answers. A scientific mindset is about embracing a way of thinking and approaching problems that is curious, methodical, and evidence-based.

The Next-Generation Science Standards (NGSS) provide a comprehensive framework for STEM education that includes not only discipline-specific facts and cross-cutting concepts, but also science and engineering practices . These are key practices that scientists and engineers use to investigate the world and design solutions to problems. These practices are not just about doing science; they're about thinking and acting like scientists and engineers. They include:

Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

Developing and using models

Planning and carrying out investigations

Analyzing and interpreting data

Using mathematics and computational thinking

Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

Engaging in arguments from evidence

Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Mastering these key skills and practices requires critical and creative thinking and a structured approach to analyzing, interpreting and presenting data. These are precisely the skills and mindsets that Thinking Maps nurtures.

Thinking Maps for STEM Education

Thinking Maps are a set of visual tools for organizing, interpreting and presenting complex information. While they are used across all grade levels and content areas, this approach is particularly well-suited to scientific thinking and problem solving and "design thinking" for engineering. Using the Maps consistently helps students develop and activate the cognitive skills that underlie the NGSS science and engineering practices. Thinking Maps also provide a clear structure and framework for learning STEM concepts, conducting student-directed experiments, and solving engineering problems within a project-based learning (PBL) environment. Here are a few examples of how Thinking Maps can be used for STEM.

Asking Questions and Defining Problems

Asking questions is at the heart of science, leading to exploration and discovery. In engineering, defining problems is the first step in developing solutions. This practice encourages curiosity and sets the stage for inquiry and problem-solving. Thinking Maps helps students ask better questions and define problems clearly, setting the stage for productive inquiry and problem solving.

Developing and Using Models

Models are simplified representations of systems, used both for understanding how systems work and for predicting outcomes of changes within those systems. This practice involves creating, refining, and using physical, conceptual, and mathematical models. Thinking Maps act as visual models of concepts, processes, systems, or real-world objects or events. Unlike graphic organizers, students learn to create Thinking Maps from scratch, choosing the best representation of the concept or system they are modeling from among the eight types of Thinking Maps. This fosters their capacity for developing and using models.

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

This involves designing and conducting scientific investigations in a rigorous and fair manner to test hypotheses or theories. It includes defining variables, collecting data, and controlling conditions to obtain reliable and accurate data. Thinking Maps provide a framework for planning investigations, enabling students to sequence steps, identify variables, and organize data in a visual format, which promotes a thorough and methodical approach to scientific inquiry.

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Data analysis is crucial for understanding the results of investigations. This practice includes using statistical techniques to analyze data, recognizing patterns or trends, and interpreting data within the context of a theoretical framework. By organizing data visually using Thinking Maps, students can more easily identify patterns and relationships, enhancing their ability to analyze and interpret data within a broader scientific context.

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Mathematics and computation are essential tools for representing variables, modeling phenomena, and analyzing data. This practice involves applying mathematical concepts, computational techniques, and algorithms to solve scientific problems and predict outcomes.

Thinking Maps support the application of mathematical and computational thinking by offering structured ways to visually organize and process quantitative information and define mathematical processes, facilitating problem-solving and prediction making.

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

In science, constructing explanations involves developing theoretical models that account for empirical evidence. In engineering, designing solutions involves developing technologies or processes that solve specific problems, meet identified needs, or achieve desired outcomes. Thinking Maps provide a structure for students to present hypotheses, evidence and explanations. They can also be used to map out the design process or explain working principles of an engineering solution.

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Scientific knowledge advances through discourse and debate. This practice involves evaluating and interpreting evidence, constructing and defending arguments based on this evidence, and critiquing the reasoning of others. Thinking Maps develop the higher-order thinking skills students need to engage in critical analysis and develop their own arguments and conclusions.

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Scientists and engineers must be able to communicate their ideas and findings clearly and persuasively. This practice includes reading scientific literature, synthesizing information, and presenting information in various formats to different audiences. Thinking Maps provide a structure for organizing and synthesizing information in textbooks, videos, documents or scientific literature, enabling higher levels of comprehension. Students also learn to write and speak off the Maps to communicate their ideas and develop their own final products.

Want to learn more about Thinking Maps and STEM?

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Thinking Like a Scientist: Thinking Maps for STEM

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Scientific thinking empowers students to ask good questions about the world around them, become flexible and adaptable problem solvers, and engage in effective decision making in a variety of domains. Thinking Maps can help teachers nurture a scientific mindset in students and support mastery of important STEM skills and content.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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NOTICE:

School Districts have 2024-25 and 2025-26 to transition from the "Living Environment" course to the "Life Science: Biology" course using the newer Next Generation Standards.

Check with individual school districts to ask which course they are using.

The resources on this page can be used with students who are in districts that are still using the "Living Environment" curriculum, based on the previous learning standards.

Everything you need to prepare students for the Living Environment (Biology) Regents Exam. This Guide provides details about taking the Living Environment Regents Exam and recommends how to use the materials in different Regents Prep scenarios.

How to prioritize the resources when you have four Regents Prep sessions. This works for students who understand the content but need to prep for taking the test

How to use the resources when you have twelve Regents Prep sessions. This works for students who need to review the living environment content, along with practice for taking the test

DEVELOPED BY: Peter Spence, Science Teacher at Byron-Bergen Central School; Summer School Principal, Brockport METS Summer School

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Regents Prep for Living Environment | New York State Migrant Education Program

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www.towershs.dekalb.k12.ga.us needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

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How To Use Claim Evidence Response (CER) In Science Education

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Improve your science education with Claim Evidence Response (CER) - Learn how to effectively make scientific claims, support them with evidence and respond to counter-arguments.

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Digital Teaching Units

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Interactive Simulations for Science & Math

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Over 1.1 billion simulations delivered

160interactive simulations

97language translations

3001teacher-submitted lessons

Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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Paul has provided training for students, teachers, administrators, and professors around the world. Paul's specialties include the Next Generation Science Standards, educational technology, the flipped classroom, and effective classroom design. In addition to his work as a trainer Paul is an accomplished keynote speaker.

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These guidelines offer a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.

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The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Learn more about the Universal Design for Learning framework from CAST. The UDL Guidelines can be used by educators, curriculum developers, researchers, parents, and anyone else who wants to implement the UDL framework in a learning environment. These guidelines offer a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.

Reenvisioning the UDL Guidelines

Because the UDL Guidelines are meant to be informed by feedback from the field as well as new research, they have been updated several times in the past. We are in the process of updating the Guidelines once again in our UDL Rising to Equity initiative.

This update will focus specifically on addressing systemic barriers that result in inequitable learning opportunities and outcomes. CAST aims to develop a transparent, inclusive, and community-driven process. If you are interested in collaborating and staying updated on our progress, we invite you to complete a brief survey.

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The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Learn more about the Universal Design for Learning framework from CAST. The UDL Guidelines can be used by educators, curriculum developers, researchers, parents, and anyone else who wants to implement the UDL framework in a learning environment. These guidelines offer a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.

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Teaching strategies to help teachers overcome student barriers in the science classroom

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UDL Solutions for Science Reference Guide.docx

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A teacher guide that outlines UDL including how to get started and how to design a UDL lesson

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Find compelling classroom resources, learn new teaching methods, meet standards, and make a difference in the lives of your students.

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Find compelling classroom resources, learn new teaching methods, meet standards, and make a difference in the lives of your students.

We are grateful to The Hammer Family Foundation for supporting the development of our on-demand learning and teaching resources.

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Find compelling classroom resources, learn new teaching methods, meet standards, and make a difference in the lives of your students.

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Tips, tricks, & templates to bring engagement into your classroom

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Ditch That Textbook offers technology for teachers that allows them to revolutionize their classrooms. With these educational technology tools, teachers can embrace classroom innovation & creativity.

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strategies that support interactive & engaging learning that help students make stronger connections and deeper understanding of texts & topics

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Browse our library of strategies that support interactive and engaging learning that helps students make stronger connections and deeper understanding of text and topics.

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Teaching strategies for different purposes within the classroom

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An interactive whiteboard that gets students excited about learning, fosters deeper collaboration, and builds up creative thinking skills.

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The latest files and plugins from Figma for Education (@education) - Activities for the virtual classroom. Created by Figma's Education Team, in partnership with educators from around the world.

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assessments, resources, phenomena, & videos

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The Wonder of Science was created to support the next generation of science teachers. All of the resources are licensed under Creative Commons licensing.

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NYSSLS-Aligned, Full-Course Materials for High School Science

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New Visions Science Curriculum - New Visions Science Curriculum

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"I've always loved biology and Living Environment, but when I learned of the project I was really excited about collaborating with other teachers. My school is really small and in my first year teaching there, I was the only science teacher, so I always felt I was reinventing the wheel.

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Teaching active literacy strategies using the gradual release of responsibility method