NGSS Storylines

A great resource I found that allows students to really engage with science in the context of NGSS is Next Generation Storylines (https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/high-school). This is an online resource that connects a topic/unit with an overarching story, while ensuring that all three dimensions of NGSS are covered in depth. These storylines often begin with a video that poses a question or problem, and the teacher can then challenge students to answer or solve it using the information available to them. At first, students have to rely on creativity and brainstorming because they have not been given all of the necessary information yet. Then, as the unit progresses, they can start to connect the material to that original question or problem. Below is an example of one of these videos, which is presented at the start of the 'How Can Science Make Our Lives Better' unit (which is analogous to a biochemistry/genetics unit).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17EoR5irVZ3GUZqcMujfMCyl52zMqdjIW/view?usp=sharing

Students are encouraged to make observations and predictions based on what they see in the video. What might be causing this disorder in these kids? What did you notice about the variation in severity? What are some possible solutions to give these kids a better quality of life?

One benefit of using this resource is that it gets students talking about the material with each other. They don't just fill out a worksheet or try to recall learned information. They have to interact and discuss to come up with solutions. The teacher should guide the conversation, but let student voice compose as much of the discussion as possible.

This connects to practice 4: sequencing student solutions. The order in which information is presented is a bit backwards when compared to the traditional sequence. Rather than giving students information and then asking them to apply it, this resource encourages teachers to pose the questions or problems first, and then allow students to connect information as it is presented later on. This creates an environment more conducive to critical thinking and creative problem solving, which are critical abilities for many NGSS practices.