NEW JERSEY, THE NGSS, AND A VENUE FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION

Earth and Space Science is prominent in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This is an opportune time to evaluate current curricula at the state and local levels to ensure that Earth and Space Science (and the other sciences) follows a grade level progression, includes science and engineering practices, and includes crosscutting concepts in a blended manner. New Jersey has been at the NGSS table since the beginning, and in the summer of 2014 adopted the NGSS as their revised science standards. Since then model curricula have been written by teams of teachers across the state that bundle topics into units, and offer a plethora of resources to assist teachers in the transition to the new standards. Additionally, the state has offered non-stop professional development to administrators, teachers, and informal educators so they are prepared when the new standards go into effect September 2016 for grades 6-12, and September 2017 for grades K-5. Included at the high school level is a Capstone Earth and Space Science model curriculum divided into 5 units. The curriculum identifies exemplary open educational resources, formative assessments, and ideas for modifications supporting all standards for all students. Common Core math and language arts links are also included. This presentation will share highlights of New Jersey's NGSS roll-out and the Capstone Earth and Space Science model curriculum