Next Generation Science Standards

Interactive tables below outline how each Outdoor School field study activity aligns with Next Generation Science Standards, Disciplinary Core Ideas, Performance Expectations, Crosscutting Concepts, and Scientific Practices.

Interactive tables are best viewed with a desktop browser. For complete table information in an accessible format, download Excel versions:
Water (XLS) • Animals (XLS) • Soil (XLS) • Plants (XLS)

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Curriculum Outlines by Field Study: Water • Animals • Soil • Plants
NGSS Alignment Table: Water (PDF) • Animals (PDF) • Soil (PDF) • Plants (PDF)
NGSS Alignment Table: Water (XLS) • Animals (XLS) • Soil (XLS) • Plants (XLS)
Performance Expectations: Water (PDF) • Animals (PDF) • Soil (PDF) • Plants (PDF)

Water

	Cause & Effect	Structure & Function	Systems & System Models	Scale, Proportion, & Quantity	Stability & Change	Energy & Matter	Patterns	1. Asking Questions & Defining Problems	2. Developing & Using Models	3. Planning & Carrying Out Investigations	4. Analyzing & Interpreting Data	5. Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking	6. Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions	7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence	8. Obtaining, Evaluating, & Communicating Information
Next Generation Science Standards (hover over red text for brief descriptions) Key: ☆ = Strongly Aligned ✔ = Aligned ⊗ = Minimally Aligned * = Standard Activity DCI = Disciplinary Core Idea PE = Performance Expectation Water Field Study	Crosscutting Concepts							Scientific Practices
Watersheds* DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B; ESS2.C PE: MS-LS2-4; MS-LS2-5; MS-ESS3-3; MS-ESS2-4	☆	✔	✔		☆		✔	☆	☆				☆
Water pH* DCI: LS2.C PE: MS-LS2-4	✔				☆			☆		☆	✔			✔
Riparian Habitat Survey* DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B PE: MS-LS2-4; MS-LS2-5; MS-ESS3-3	☆	✔		✔	☆		✔			✔	✔			☆	✔
Dissolved Oxygen / Temperature* DCI: LS2.C PE: MS-LS2-4	✔	✔		✔	☆			✔	✔	✔	✔			☆
Turbidity DCI: LS2.C PE: MS-LS2-4	✔				☆		✔	✔		✔		✔		☆
Aquatic Life (Critter Catch)* DCI: LS1.B; LS2.A PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS2-1	☆	✔			✔	✔				✔	☆			☆
Stream Morphology* DCI: LS2.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B; ESS2.A; ESS2.C PE: MS-ESS2-2; MS-LS2-5	✔			☆	☆				✔				☆	☆
Water Cycle DCI: ESS2.C; ESS2.D; PS1.A PE: MS-ESS2-4; MS-ESS2-6; MS-PS1-4 ⊗	✔		☆	✔		☆	✔	✔	☆					✔
Stream Flow DCI: ESS2.C PE: MS-ESS2-4	☆			✔	✔					✔		☆			✔
Microscope Study / Aquatic Food Pyramid DCI: LS2.B; LS1.C PE: MS-LS1-6; MS-LS2-3		✔		☆		☆			☆					✔	✔
Water Bottle Intro DCI: ESS3.C PE: MS-ESS3-4	☆			✔		✔		✔			✔	✔	✔	☆
Anadromous Fish DCI: LS1.B; LS2.C PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS2-4	☆	✔			☆		✔		✔					☆
Waste Water Treatment DCI: ESS3.C; LS2.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B PE: MS-LS2-5; MS-ESS3-3	☆		✔		☆				✔				☆	☆
Water Power DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B; ESS2.C; PS3.A; PS3.C PE: MS-LS2-4; MS-ESS3-3; MS-LS2-5; MS-ESS2-4; MS-PS3-2 ⊗	☆		✔		☆	☆			☆				☆	☆
Water Conservation DCI: ESS3.C PE: MS-ESS3-3	☆					✔	✔	✔					☆	✔

Animals

	Cause & Effect	Structure & Function	Systems & System Models	Scale, Proportion, & Quantity	Stability & Change	Energy & Matter	Patterns	1. Asking Questions & Defining Problems	2. Developing & Using Models	3. Planning & Carrying Out Investigations	4. Analyzing & Interpreting Data	5. Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking	6. Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions	7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence	8. Obtaining, Evaluating, & Communicating Information
Next Generation Science Standards (hover over red text for brief descriptions) Key: ☆ = Strongly Aligned ✔ = Aligned ⊗ = Minimally Aligned * = Standard Activity DCI = Disciplinary Core Idea PE = Performance Expectation Animals Field Study	Crosscutting Concepts							Scientific Practices
Nutrient Cycle / Decomposition* DCI: LS2.B PE: MS-LS2-3			✔		✔	☆		✔	☆
Adaptation Activities* DCI: LS1.B; LS1.D PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-8	☆	✔			✔		✔						✔	☆	☆
Pelts* DCI: LS1.B; LS1.D PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-8	☆	✔				✔	✔		✔		✔	✔		☆	☆
Skulls* DCI: LS1.B; LS1.D PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-8	☆	✔				✔	✔		✔		✔	✔		☆	☆
Horns, Antlers, & Hooves DCI: LS1.B; LS4.B PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS4-4	☆	✔		✔		✔	✔	✔					☆	☆	✔
Habitat* DCI: LS2.A; LS2.C PE: MS-LS2-4; MS-LS2-1	☆	✔	✔		☆			✔	✔	✔	☆			☆
Niche* DCI: LS2.A PE: MS-LS2-2		✔	✔	✔			☆	✔	✔				☆		✔
Birds DCI: LS1.B; LS4.B PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS4-4	☆	✔				✔	✔	✔	✔			✔	☆	☆	☆
Arthropods DCI: LS2.B PE: MS-LS2-3		✔				☆		✔	☆					✔
Bear Game DCI: LS2.A; LS4.B PE: MS-LS2-1; MS-LS4-4	☆						✔		✔		☆		☆
Predator / Prey Game DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4	☆	✔			✔			✔	✔	✔				☆
Oh Deer! DCI: LS2.A PE: MS-LS2-1	☆				✔	✔	✔		✔		☆	✔
Food Web DCI: LS2.B; LS2.C PE: MS-LS2-3; MS-LS2-4	✔		✔		☆	☆			☆					☆
Animal Signs & Survey DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4	☆			✔				✔			✔			☆
Animal Tracks DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4	☆						✔	✔			✔			☆
Bird Observations DCI: LS1.B; LS1.D PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-8	☆	✔			✔		✔						✔	☆	☆
Food Pyramid DCI: LS1.C PE: MS-LS1-6			✔			☆			✔				☆
Live Animal Station DCI: LS1.B; LS1.D PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-8	☆	✔				✔	✔		✔		✔	✔		☆	☆
Supermarket Niche DCI: LS2.A PE: MS-LS2-2	✔		✔				☆						✔	☆	☆
Deadly Links DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.C PE: MS-LS2-4; MS-ESS3-3	☆			✔	☆				✔				☆	☆
Native Birds (Toxics) DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.C PE: MS-LS2-4; MS-ESS3-3	☆			✔	☆				✔				☆	☆

Soil

	Cause & Effect	Structure & Function	Systems & System Models	Scale, Proportion, & Quantity	Stability & Change	Energy & Matter	Patterns	1. Asking Questions & Defining Problems	2. Developing & Using Models	3. Planning & Carrying Out Investigations	4. Analyzing & Interpreting Data	5. Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking	6. Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions	7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence	8. Obtaining, Evaluating, & Communicating Information
Next Generation Science Standards (hover over red text for brief descriptions) Key: ☆ = Strongly Aligned ✔ = Aligned ⊗ = Minimally Aligned * = Standard Activity DCI = Disciplinary Core Idea PE = Performance Expectation Soil Field Study	Crosscutting Concepts							Scientific Practices
Compost (Worm Bin) DCI: LS2.B; LS2.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B PE: MS-LS2-3; MS-LS2-5	✔		✔		☆	☆		✔	☆
Erosion* DCI: LS2.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B; ESS2.A; ESS2.C; ESS3.A PE: MS-ESS2-2; MS-LS2-4; MS-LS2-5; MS-ESS3-1 ⊗	✔			☆	☆			✔	✔	✔			☆	☆
Weathering* DCI: ESS2.A; ESS2.C PE: MS-ESS2-1; MS-ESS2-2	☆			☆	✔			✔	☆				☆		✔
Soil pH DCI: LS2.C PE: MS-LS2-4	✔	✔			☆			☆		☆	✔		✔
Particle Size* DCI: ESS2.A; ESS2.C PE: MS-ESS2-2		✔	✔	☆				✔	✔				☆	✔
Absorption / Compaction / Permeability* DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.A; ESS3.C PE: MS-ESS3-3; MS-LS2-4; MS-ESS3-1	☆	✔			☆			✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	☆	☆
Soil Recipe* DCI: ESS3.A PE: MS-ESS3-1	☆	✔	✔	✔				✔	✔				☆
Geology DCI: ESS2.A PE: MS-ESS2-1					☆		✔	✔	☆	✔
Soil Texture and Structure DCI: ESS2.A; ESS2.C PE: MS-ESS2-2		✔		☆				✔		✔			☆
Topography DCI: ESS2.A; ESS2.C PE: MS-ESS2-2			✔	☆	✔		✔		✔		✔	✔	☆
Soil Profile DCI: ESS3.A PE: MS-ESS3-1	☆	✔			✔			✔	✔				☆
Mud City DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B; ESS2.A; ESS2.C; ESS3.A PE: MS-ESS3-3; MS-LS2-4; MS-LS2-5; MS-ESS2-2; MS-ESS3-1 ⊗	☆		✔	☆	☆			✔	✔				☆
Slope and Aspect DCI: ESS2.A; ESS2.C PE: MS-ESS2-2		✔		☆	✔				✔	✔			☆
Soil Life Survey (Critter Catch) DCI: LS2.A PE: MS-LS2-2		✔	✔	✔	✔		☆	✔					☆	✔
Apple Earth Intro DCI: LS2.C; ESS3.A PE: MS-LS2-4; MS-ESS3-1	☆		✔		☆			☆	✔				☆	✔

Plants

	Cause & Effect	Structure & Function	Systems & System Models	Scale, Proportion, & Quantity	Stability & Change	Energy & Matter	Patterns	1. Asking Questions & Defining Problems	2. Developing & Using Models	3. Planning & Carrying Out Investigations	4. Analyzing & Interpreting Data	5. Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking	6. Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions	7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence	8. Obtaining, Evaluating, & Communicating Information
Next Generation Science Standards (hover over red text for brief descriptions) Key: ☆ = Strongly Aligned ✔ = Aligned ⊗ = Minimally Aligned * = Standard Activity DCI = Disciplinary Core Idea PE = Performance Expectation Plants Field Study	Crosscutting Concepts							Scientific Practices
Plant Identification Hike* DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-5	☆	✔					✔	✔						☆	✔
Primitive Plants (Moss and Lichen)* DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4	☆		✔					✔						☆	✔
Tree Parts* DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-5	☆	✔				✔		✔	✔				☆
Nurse Logs* DCI: LS2.B; LS2.A PE: MS-LS2-1; MS-LS2-3	☆					☆			☆		☆
Phototropism* DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-5	☆					✔				✔		✔	☆
Plant Adaptations DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-5	☆	✔						✔		✔			☆	☆	✔
Flower Parts (Spring) DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4	☆	✔	✔					✔	✔					☆
Seed and Spore Dispersal DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4	☆		✔	✔				✔		✔				☆	✔
Photosynthesis (Energy & Renewable Natural Resources) DCI: LS1.C; PS3.D; LS2.A PE: MS-LS1-6; MS-LS2-1	☆	✔	✔			☆			✔		✔		☆
Ethnobotany DCI: LS4.D PE: MS-LS2-4		✔			☆								✔	☆	✔
Logging Tools DCI: ESS3.C PE: MS-ESS3-3	☆	✔					✔			✔			☆	✔	✔
Succession and Disturbance DCI: LS2.A; LS2.C; LS1.B; ESS2.A; ESS2.C PE: MS-LS1-5; MS-LS2-1; MS-LS2-4; MS-ESS2-2	✔			✔	✔			✔			☆		☆	☆
Forestry Practices DCI: LS2.C; LS4.D; ETS1.B PE: MS-LS2-5					☆
Fire Ecology DCI: LS1.B; LS2.C PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS2-4	☆					✔			✔					☆
Dichotomous Key / Leaf Detectives DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4	☆	✔					✔	✔						☆	✔
Tree Age DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-5	☆							✔					☆
Tree Height / Board Foot Volume DCI: ESS3.C PE: MS-ESS3-3	☆			✔								✔	☆
Forest Layers DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-5⊗	☆				☆								☆
Coniferous Trees DCI: LS1.B PE: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-5	☆	✔						✔			✔			☆	✔

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