When it comes to science education, it can feel like there’s always some new framework or standard to follow. For families across the globe, the question often becomes: Do I need this? Will it even work for me? That’s exactly how many people feel about NGSS—the Next Generation Science Standards—and to be honest, we get it.
Here’s the thing: While NGSS isn’t a universal, global standard, it provides an incredible roadmap for science education. It doesn’t take away from the freedom to learn in your own way—it actually ensures that kids get a well-rounded introduction to science, filled with fascinating concepts and experiences they’ll love.
At Creature Curriculum, NGSS is a guidepost for our CORE SCIENCE STUDIES. It helps us design unit studies that cover important science concepts while staying flexible, creative, and engaging. Whether you need to meet state requirements or just want to explore science at home, NGSS gives us a way to make sure the lessons we’re offering are meaningful and rich with discovery.
What Are NGSS, Anyway?
The Next Generation Science Standards are a set of guidelines designed to help students do science rather than just memorize it. They focus on three main areas:
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Core Ideas: The big scientific concepts that kids should know (like energy transfer, ecosystems, or forces and motion).
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Science Practices: Encouraging kids to act like scientists—asking questions, designing experiments, and analyzing data.
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Crosscutting Concepts: Showing how different areas of science connect, like how the concept of patterns shows up in both weather systems and animal adaptations.
The goal of NGSS isn’t to check boxes; it’s to prepare kids to think critically, problem-solve, and see the interconnectedness of the world.
Why We Use NGSS at Creature Curriculum
We’ll be the first to admit that rigid standards aren’t for everyone. Learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore! But NGSS isn’t about rigidity—it’s about ensuring that kids get exposed to the breadth and depth of science in a way that makes sense for their age and development.
Even if you don’t need NGSS to meet specific educational requirements, here’s why we use it as a guide:
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A Balanced Science Education: NGSS helps us cover a variety of scientific fields—like biology, geology, physics, and chemistry—ensuring that kids get a complete and well-rounded foundation.
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A Roadmap for Key Concepts: It’s easy to miss something important without a plan. NGSS keeps us on track, making sure we hit critical ideas like energy transfer, adaptation, and the water cycle.
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Global Relevance: Science is universal. Whether you’re in the U.S., Australia, or anywhere else, these concepts apply. From observing local ecosystems to experimenting with energy at home, NGSS topics spark curiosity no matter where you live.
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Flexibility and Creativity: While NGSS shapes the topics we cover, the way we teach them is anything but rigid. Every Creature Curriculum lesson is designed to be hands-on, fun, and adaptable to your family’s needs.
What This Means for Your Kids
Using NGSS as a guide doesn’t mean your kids are stuck following a standard they don’t need. Quite the opposite! It ensures they get to:
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Dive Deep Into a Variety of Topics: From energy to ecosystems, kids will explore fascinating fields of science in ways that spark their curiosity.
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Learn Through Doing: NGSS emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based learning, which is at the heart of Creature Curriculum. Kids will be experimenting, observing, and asking big questions every step of the way.
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Think Like Scientists: NGSS focuses on critical thinking, problem-solving, and seeing connections—all essential skills for navigating the world.
And for families who do need to meet specific standards or document their learning, our NGSS-inspired lessons make it easy to align your child’s education with those requirements.
It’s More Than Standards—It’s a Science Adventure
The beauty of NGSS is that it doesn’t take away from the joy of learning—it enhances it. By covering a wide range of topics and connecting them in meaningful ways, NGSS ensures that kids aren’t just learning science—they’re experiencing it.
At Creature Curriculum, we’ve taken this framework and added a little magic. Each lesson is inspired by the creatures kids love, making science relatable, engaging, and unforgettable. Whether they’re discovering how geckos climb walls or exploring how cheetahs sprint, kids aren’t just learning concepts—they’re connecting with the world in ways that matter.
And for parents and educators, it’s a win-win. NGSS provides the structure and roadmap to ensure nothing gets missed, while Creature Curriculum adds the creativity and flexibility to make it your own.
A Curriculum That Gives Back
Of course, none of this would be possible without our Creature Teachers—the amazing animals that inspire every lesson. That’s why we believe in giving back. With every purchase, a portion of proceeds goes to animal conservation efforts, helping protect the very creatures we love and learn from.
Because at the end of the day, science isn’t just about understanding the world—it’s about making a difference in it.
