Suffolk HS Teacher Develops Next Generation Science Standards Lesson

NORTHPORT, NY — Second graders at Pulaski Road School tried out a new lesson developed by Northport High School physics teacher Karyn Libretto. Libretto, along with fellow high school physics teacher Gillian Winters, are piloting the lesson for publication in a science journal, according to the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District.

Students found a connection between footwear and physics during the new Next Generation Science Standards lesson.

The lesson was designed to encourage students to understand how the properties of matter affect how an object functions. The second graders were tasked to design a "shoe" for gripping uphill or for sliding downhill. Each group was challenged to first design their shoe in a detailed diagram, collaborate to engineer a shoe and ultimately test the effectiveness of their shoe on a ramp with varied steepness.

"The students in Mrs. McGunnigle's class were enthusiastic participants who demonstrated tremendous creativity!" Libretto stated. "We look forward to sharing more of our science lessons in the future.”

Libretto and Winters are two high school physics teachers who are both current and emeritus teachers in the New York State Master Teacher Program. They have collaborated through NYSMTP over the years to develop science lessons aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for every elementary grade.

Lessons aligned with the scientific standards provide students with in-depth understanding of content and encourages them to develop key skills such as communication, collaboration, inquiry, problem solving, and flexibility.

The teachers hope that the lesson, once published, will encourage teachers across the United States to provide their students with engaging lessons that stimulate students' interests in science and prepare them for higher education, careers, and citizenship.

Throughout the entire Northport-East Northport School District, elementary science curriculum
has been aligned to the three-dimensional practices and cross cutting concepts of NGSS, providing students with STEM challenges to engage and explore relevant scientific phenomena and solve engineering design problems.

Teachers and elementary coordinators continue to refine their teaching to use more opportunities for process-oriented inquiry and lab investigation in a hands-on and minds-on approach to science education, the district stated.