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Hello Science Teachers, In Washington State, many teachers use FOSS and STC science kits, among others. These kits have been a foundation for the teaching of science in K-8. However, many of these older kits are not aligned with the NGSS - either in content or grade level. What are districts/states doing out there to make these science kits more NGSS/STEM-like? We don't have the funding to purchase new kits. Are you taking the current kits and adding more STEM/ELA/Math resources? If so, how do you go about doing that? How are you aligning these older kits with the NGSS? Thanks, Brian Goldman, Science Materials Coordinator, ESD 112, Vancouver, WA [email protected]

From my understanding, kits are updated when necessary.

Brian, We found that the old kits (namely land and water and electricity) actually aligned more than we thought! Previously, we stuck to a schedule and had to cut out lessons due to time restrictions. With NGSS, we realized that if we REALLY teach the kits they way they are intended (and not cut corners or leave some lessons out) we cover all if not more of our new standards. We do bring in more tradebooks or magazine articles as we see fit to try and integrate ELA standards, too. Another thing we did, though, was move kits around to different grade levels. What was previously taught in one grade now fits another grade's standards better. (For example, there is a rocks and minerals kit out there that our 5th grade teachers used, but now it better serves 4th grade. There was a Life cycles kit that was also moved to another grade level as well) Some teachers didn't like giving up their favorite kits, but if we are really committed to NGSS (which we are), it was necessary! Good luck!!