Next Generation Science Reflection

In the present time scientific knowledge as well as technological knowledge are essential
in order to ensure academic and career success to our current students. For this reason the Next
Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have been created. The NGSS are designed to provide
dynamic process of building knowledge from K-12 progressively. Their framework identifies
eight science and engineering practices intended to strengthen students skills and develop
students understanding in this fields. Such practices include, asking questions and defining
problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and
interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, consulting explanation and
designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence and obtaining, evaluating, and
communicating information. When it comes to content, the NGSS demands for elementary
classroom educators to have knowledge in Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth and Space
Sciences, and in Engineering, Technology, and Application of Sciences.
In CSUDH the science courses that I have taken are Geography, Biology, Physics and
Earth Science. These courses have helped me by teaching me most of the content listed on the
NGSS. The courses have taught me the subject matter as well as innovating methods to present
science to the students. It is important to note that science shouldnt be presented as pure facts.
For this reason, my instructors have emphasized what is also stated in the NGSS which is that
science concepts presented to students are meant to give students an organizational structure to
understand the world and make sense of and connect core ideas across disciplines and grade
bands. Thus preparing our students to be critical thinkers and explorers.
In the areas of science where I feel more competent are Earth and Space Science. At
CSUDH I was fortunate to have a great Earth Science instructor, Judith King. In her class I
learned about the metric system, the solar system, weather and climate, rock and minerals,

volcanoes and plate tectonics, geologic time and much more. We also visited the LA Natural
History Museum where we saw dinosaur exhibits and visited the rock and minerals display. The
content covered in earth and space science was presented to me in an enthusiastic and clear way
to the point where I feel I could easily teach it myself.
In the area of science where I feel less prepared is engineering and somewhat in
technology. I havent taken any courses nor instruction in such topics whatsoever. Yet it is
extremely important as a future instructor that I make up for such lack of knowledge in order to
teach kids effectively. In order to be knowledgeable in engineering and technology I plan to
attend a seminar which will be offered in my local library this coming summer.
As the last word, I believe that all students have the right to obtain high quality science
education. When I went to elementary I was somewhat deprived of such right because science
was always presented to me in a non-engaging, irrelevant and boring manner. As I result I grew
up thinking that sciences were boring and hard to understand. Thanks to my college professors,
now I can see that I was wrong and Im eager to prove such to elementary students.