STEM Storylines in Elementary (K-5)
Our STEM Storylines for elementary school are a fun way to engage students in problem-solving and sense-making around interesting phenomena in the real world. Each storyline unit is geared to support experiences around a topical bundle of NGSS standards and launches students on mission to solve a problem through tinkering, investigating, argumentation, and communicating of ideas and concepts. Our units follow the framework of project-based learning and strive to empower students to become impactful STEM leaders in their world. While many units are created to support teachers in Southwest Washington with meaningful repurposing of FOSS materials, most elements of each storyline can be used in classrooms without lab materials.
Our units are developed by ESD 112 in collaboration with STEM teacher leaders and local partners in our region. Our work has also been supported by partnerships and grants with WA OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Education), Washington STEM, and through grants provided by Governor Inslee and the Washington State Legislature to support advancement of Climate Science and NGSS-aligned reformation in STEM education. We are grateful for the continuous support of our partners and the amazing STEM innovators in our region!
Ecosystem Invasion
This NGSS-aligned STEM Storyline addresses the NGSS Life Science bundles for Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems (3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3, and 3-LS4-4) and Inheritance and Variation of Traits: Life Cycles and Traits (3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, and 3-LS4-2). 3rd graders go on a mission to battle the local invasive species who are threatening the native species in their area!
Environments: Save the Pika!
This NGSS-aligned STEM Storyline focuses on the 4th grade NGSS bundle addressing Structure, Function, and Information Processing (Performance expectations 4-PS4-2, 4-LS1-1, and 4-LS1-2). Students go on a mission to create a campaign to help preserve the adorable (and threatened) Pika population who lives in the Columbia River Gorge.
Beyond Weather & Climate
This unit engages students in using real data, text, and inquiry to answer the question How does the weather in the Arctic, Antarctica, and [insert hometown] compare? Students investigate how scientists study the Earth’s climate while experiencing activities that integrate NGSS Standards for weather and climate with Common Core ELA Standards.
Weather & Climate
Introduce kindergarten students to the patterns and variations in local weather by engaging them in this unit which integrates K NGSS standards for physical science (K-PS3-1, K-PS3-2, K-ESS2-1) with CC ELA standards.
Forces and Interactions
In this Units, students embark on a mission to create a campaign which promotes seat belt use for a teenage audience. In the context of this project, students explore NGSS PE’s 3-PS2-2, 3-PS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-PS2-3, and 3-PS2-4.
Waves and Energy
Students explore a 4th grade NGSS bundle of Physical Science performance expectations by engaging in project-based learning while using science and engineering practices to help solve everyday problems for their imaginary pen pal who lives in a village in India.