Dimension 1: Practices

Dimension 1: Practices

The Next Generation Science Standards looks at science education as a set of practices. The semantic difference between skill and practice is subtle but practices are skills and knowledge combined. It is a think different model and a cool concept for teaching inquiry.
I see this as 1. Teach something interesting 2. Develop the concept through design 3. Analyse the value and results through writing.
While the last part is not as specific to the content of this blog and resource list, it is a strong focus of my experience teaching with inquiry and engineering science concepts.

From NGSS
"The practices describe behaviors that scientists engage in as they investigate and build models and theories about the natural world and the key set of engineering practices that engineers use as they design and build models and systems.

The NRC uses the term practices instead of a term like “skills” to emphasize that engaging in scientific investigation requires not only skill but also knowledge that is specific to each practice.

Part of the NRC’s intent is to better explain and extend what is meant by “inquiry” in science and the range of cognitive, social, and physical practices that it requires.

Although engineering design is similar to scientific inquiry, there are significant differences. For example, scientific inquiry involves the formulation of a question that can be answered through investigation, while engineering design involves the formulation of a problem that can be solved through design. Strengthening the engineering aspects of the Next Generation Science Standards will clarify for students the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the four STEM fields) to everyday life."