STEM Is Elementary: Challenges Faced by Elementary Teachers in the Era of the Next Generation Science Standards

Abstract

For students to achieve the goals of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) by Grade 12, thinking and acting like scientists and engineers must begin in the elementary grades. However, elementary teachers may find this challenging -because language arts and mathematics still dominate many classrooms—often at the expense of science. This essay examines the science skills elementary students are expected to learn and how teachers and administrators can approach the increased demands of NGSS.

Key words:

• elementary education
• Next Generation Science Standards
• process skills
• science education
• STEM