The creation of the NGSS was a process that involved two steps. First, the National Research Council formed a team of leaders in science, education, and science curriculum development. Together they wrote and published A Framework for K-12 Science Education. Next, a team of experts from 20 states reviewed the framework and received nationwide feedback. This document became the skeleton for the Next Generation Science Standards. The states of California, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Vermont have adopted the new standards. Within the next few years, more states plan to update their science standards to include NGSS. The NGSS provide a renewed vision for science literacy. The new science standards incorporate critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. The NGSS focus on three areas or dimensions: concepts, practices, and disciplinary core ideas. Cross-cutting concepts are key ideas that span all grades k-12. Examples of cross cutting concepts include patterns, cause and effect, structure and function, and stability and change. The practice of science involves developing the skills that scientists use to discover the natural world. Specifically, this involves the development of engineering practices from k-12. Science content includes topics in life science, earth science, physical science, and engineering. On a day-to-day basis, teachers will begin placing more emphasis on science and engineering practices in classrooms. The way science is taught will be less fact driven and more tactile; it will involve project-based inquiry with real life application. Engineering practices will be imbedded in many of the in-class labs, and higher-order critical thinking skills will be encouraged. Students will be given the tools to participate in the practice of science. The NGSS are not curriculum but provide a way to inform the use of curriculum to meet the educational needs of students. As students are exposed to the NGSS, it is hoped they will never lose the ability to ask questions and think like a scientist. No document or standard is perfect. The NGSS, however, recognizes the ways students learn, makes connections between curricular disciplines, and strives to deepen their understanding of the complexities found in our world. The standards viewed through the lens of scripture provide a framework as we seek to serve God and be future leaders in his kingdom. Susan Koppendrayer is a middle school science teacher at Calvin Christian school in Edina, Minnesota. She is a parent of three and owns a certified organic farm with her husband. 12 Christian Home & School | www.csionline.org