Next Generation Science Standards
With Gizmos, Kids Get It.
Gizmos gives everyone something to visualize, manipulate, and explore. That's hundreds of opportunities where students don't just act like scientists and mathematicians. They are.
What are Gizmos?
Over 400 math and science Gizmos gives everyone something to graph, measure, and compare. Even predict and prove. That's hundreds of opportunities where students don't just act like scientists and mathematicians. They are.
Gizmos gives everyone something to visualize, manipulate, and explore. That's hundreds of opportunities where students don't just act like scientists and mathematicians. They are.
Meta-analysis of educational research identifies several instructional techniques that have a strong positive impact on student achievement. Math and science Gizmos bring these powerful and effective instructional techniques to the classroom.
Why Gizmos work
Gizmos gives everyone something to visualize, manipulate, and explore. That's hundreds of opportunities where students don't just act like scientists and mathematicians. They are.
We are educators, just like you. We have that drive to be our very best each day and to make the next day even better. This continuous improvement is what ExploreLearning professional development is all about.
Professional Development
Gizmos - for grades 3-12
With Gizmos, Kids Get It.
Over 400 math and science Gizmos gives everyone something to graph, measure, and compare. Even predict and prove. That's hundreds of opportunities where students don't just act like scientists and mathematicians. They are.
What are Gizmos?
Meta-analysis of educational research identifies several instructional techniques that have a strong positive impact on student achievement. Math and science Gizmos bring these powerful and effective instructional techniques to the classroom.
Why Gizmos work
We are educators, just like you. We have that drive to be our very best each day and to make the next day even better. This continuous improvement is what ExploreLearning professional development is all about.
Professional Development
Gizmos - for grades 3-12
With Gizmos, Kids Get It.
Gizmos are flexible, online simulations that excite curiosity and invite interaction. With over 450 Gizmos in our library students can dig deeper into subjects and really understand challenging math and science concepts. Extensive teaching resources that help make planning and teaching easy, are included. With Gizmos, kids get it.
I have seen no other program out there that can demonstrate student improvement in math and science as effectively as does Gizmos. As you endeavor to implement the NGSS, you will find no better tool for your educational tool box than Gizmos.
Science Specialist, Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)* is a collaborative, state-led initiative to provide standards that are rich in content and practice. These standards are organized across disciplines and grades to provide all students with an internationally benchmarked science education.
The NGSS are based on the National Research Council's (NRC) Framework for K-12 Science Education. The NRC Framework describes a vision of what it means to be proficient in science; it rests on a view of science as a body of knowledge composed of core ideas and key concepts across disciplines, which are continually being refined through a set of shared practices. The framework presents three dimensions that were combined to form each standard: Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices.
Check out the section below to see how ExploreLearning Gizmos, interactive simulations for science and math (grades 3-12), correlate with the NGSS dimensions.
As a national park ranger, students must restore the ecosystem of a park back to normal. They interact with populations of many organisms including wolves, deer and bees. Students learn the importance of food chains and webs, and how human factors can impact the health of an environment.
Related Core Idea: Earth and Space Sciences
Conducting Investigations
Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions
Using Mathematics
Using Models
Communicating Information
Asking Questions & Defining Problems
Analyzing Data
Arguing from Evidence
Design a car to protect a test dummy in a collision. Adjust the length and stiffness of the crumple zone and the rigidity of the safety cell to determine how the car will deform during the crash. Add seat belts and/or airbags to prevent the dummy from hitting the steering wheel. Three different body types (sedan, SUV, and subcompact) are available and a wide range of crash speeds can be used.
Related Core Idea: Physical Sciences
Cause & Effect
Energy & Matter
Patterns
Scale, Proportions & Quantity
Stability & Changes
Structure & Functions
Systems & System Models
Gain an understanding of the causes of seasons by observing Earth as it orbits the Sun in three dimensions. Observe the path of the Sun across the sky on any date and from any location. Create graphs of solar intensity and day length, and use collected data to describe and explain seasonal changes.
Cause & Effect
Energy & Matter
Patterns
Scale, Proportions & Quantity
Stability & Changes
Structure & Functions
Systems & System Models
Gain an understanding of Newton's Laws by experimenting with a cart (on which up to three fans are placed) on a linear track. The cart has a mass, as does each fan. The fans exert a constant force when switched on, and the direction of the fans can be altered as the position, velocity, and acceleration of the cart are measured.
Cause & Effect
Energy & Matter
Patterns
Scale, Proportions & Quantity
Stability & Changes
Structure & Functions
Systems & System Models
* Next Generation Science Standards and NGSS are registered trademarks of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, nor do they endorse this product.
Consider the Function Machines Gizmo. In this Gizmo, students are introduced to the concept of functions and function tables, using colorful input-output machines. Students program machines with function rules to create input-output tables. In addition, students have the ability to stack machines, create composite functions, and even program their own machines!
In addition to supporting the Common Core Content Standards 5.OA.3, 8.F.1, F.IF.1, and F.BF.4.a., the Function Machines Gizmo supports almost all of the Standards of Mathematical Practice:
In-Depth Exploration of the Practices: Function Machines Gizmo
1
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Students are challenged to determine what a machine does, or 'solve' it, based on input-output pairs. Challenging problems can be created by stacking machines
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
1
Students are challenged to determine what a machine does, or 'solve' it, based on input-output pairs. Challenging problems can be created by stacking machines
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
2
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Students use abstract reasoning while looking at number patterns on charts and graphs. Students use quantitative reasoning to determine each machine's the specific function rule.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
Students use abstract reasoning while looking at number patterns on charts and graphs. Students use quantitative reasoning to determine each machine's the specific function rule.
2
3
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Students discuss methods of solving machines and interpreting input-output data. Students can challenge each other to solve machines they have programmed.
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
Students discuss methods of solving machines and interpreting input-output data. Students can challenge each other to solve machines they have programmed.
3
4
Model with mathematics.
Many real-world situations can be modeled with the Function Machines Gizmo, such as how revenue and profit depend on sales, or how distance traveled depends on time.
Model with mathematics.
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
Many real-world situations can be modeled with the Function Machines Gizmo, such as how revenue and profit depend on sales, or how distance traveled depends on time.
4
5
Use appropriate tools strategically.
Several tools are available to help students solve their function machines. Students can program a machine to see if its output matches a mystery machine. They can also view machine input-output pairs on a table or plotted on a graph.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
Several tools are available to help students solve their function machines. Students can program a machine to see if its output matches a mystery machine. They can also view machine input-output pairs on a table or plotted on a graph.
5
6
Look for and make use of structure.
Patterns of input-output values help students determine how each machine functions.
Look for and make use of structure.
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
Patterns of input-output values help students determine how each machine functions.
6
8
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Students identify the pattern of the function machines to come up with rules, and develop strategies for solving new machines.
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE
HOW THE FUNCTION MACHINES GIZMO SUPPORTS THE STANDARD
Students identify the pattern of the function machines to come up with rules, and develop strategies for solving new machines.
8
Using the Fraction Artist 1 Gizmo, students learn that a fraction represents a relationship between a part and the whole, compare fractions and develop an understanding of equivalent fractions.
Sample Test Item: This sample assessment item asks students to illustrate the fraction of a farmer's field that is planted by dragging a bean into each planted section.
Gizmo: This Gizmo allows students to divide a rectangular canvas in various ways and then 'paint' parts of it. The painting below is 6/8 (or 3/4) yellow.
Sample Test Item: This sample assessment item asks students to divide a rectangle into equally sized pieces and then shade a specified fraction of them.
Gizmo: This Gizmo allows students to divide a rectangular canvas in various ways and then 'paint' parts of it. The painting below is 4/6 (or 2/3) blue.
Elementary Level
With the Distance-Time Graphs Gizmo, students can observe the relationship between a runner's motion and a graph of distance versus time. They learn what the slope indicates and can calculate the speed of the runner based on the graph.
Sample Test Item: This sample test item asks students to compare the speed of four objects based on distance/time data in graphs or tables.
Gizmo: The Gizmo shown below has one runner completing a 40-yard dash at a constant speed. The activity asks students to record the speed and time in a table.
Sample Test Item: This sample test item shows runners in a 400-meter hurdles race. Students are asked to describe what is happening in this race.
Gizmo: This Gizmo scenario has two runners that vary their speeds throughout the race. The activity asks students to describe each runner's motion at each interval.
Middle School Level
The Quadratics in Vertex Form Gizmo provides good practice for the Common-Core-related assessments. Students can practice with a dynamic graph to see how changes to the function's parameters affect the shape, orientation, and location of the graph.
High School Level
ExploreLearning interactive math and science simulations are the perfect addition for NGSS lesson plans
Over 550 Gizmos aligned to the latest standards help educators bring powerful new learning experiences to the classroom.
Over 400 Gizmos aligned to the latest standards help educators bring powerful new learning experiences to the classroom.
Over 400 Gizmos aligned to the latest standards help educators bring powerful new learning experiences to the classroom.
The ExploreLearning team is passionate about helping educators help students. With supplemental resources, professional development, and more, there is always support to grow in your science instruction.
Collaborate: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC)
A place where Gizmos subscribers can share, learn, and grow with Gizmos. Daily posts, downloadable resources, and community await!
Examples of NGSS content shared in the VLC: NGSS Crosscutting Concepts Graphic Organizers
“The content aligns to NGSS, and Gizmos encourage inquiry instruction and actively engage students in learning.”
Support: Lesson Materials
Each Gizmo offers a complete set of instructional materials, which can be used as-is or customized to fit your needs as you teach with NGSS in mind.
Materials include:
- Teacher Guide
- Student Exploration Sheet + Answer Key
- Vocabulary Sheet
Grow: Professional Development & Educator Resource Hub
Live and on-demand professional development sessions help teachers grow with Gizmos, from getting started to building strong ongoing implementation.
The Educator Resource Hub is packed with supplemental resources, videos, and downloads to assist your classroom instruction.
Get Inspired: See Why Other Teachers Trust Gizmos
Read real-life success stories of students and teachers who have seen results with Gizmos.
