From the perspective of a North Carolina educator, we have not adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), but many educators, like me, have become familiar with the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) that are a key component of these standards. They aim to improve science education at all levels.
Well, just recently, the state of North Carolina has revised their science standards to include these SEPs to ensure that they are taking place in the classroom and are assessed. In reality, most teachers are already implementing them anyway.
So, since my home state’s new science standards include these lovely practices, I wanted to take the time to share in detail what they are and give examples of how they can be implemented in the classroom.

What are the Science and Engineering Practices?
The National Research Council’s Framework describes these practices as “behaviors that scientists engage in as they investigate and build models and theories about the natural world, and the key set of engineering practices that engineers use as they design and build models and systems.”
As mentioned, they are a key component of the NGSS in the US, and will be a huge part of the new North Carolina standards that will be implemented this year.
Pretty much, they emphasize learning by doing in the science classroom! Teaching science and engineering practices doesn’t have to be difficult.
I absolutely love this approach. As mentioned, most teachers are already implementing these practices, even if their states haven’t officially adopted the NGSS standards. Why? Well, because good teachers know how their students learn best!
So, maybe you are a new teacher or are just curious about these practices? You might even be a teacher that is required to use the SEPs in your classroom because of your standards. Either way, I’d love to share more about these 8 practices of science and engineering!
The 8 Science and Engineering Practices
So, what are the 8 practices of science and engineering?
Asking Questions (For Science) and Defining Problems (For Engineering)
- This practice provides an emphasis for students to practice coming up with clear and focused questions that help guide investigations.
- This is aimed to help students to use and create models and simulate real-world ideas and explanations. There are multiple tools such as drawings, replicas, and computer simulations that can be used for this.
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
- In this practice, students can plan and conduct investigations to answer “big questions” or develop a solution to a problem. This can be done as an individual or in a group.
Analyzing And Interpreting Data
- This practice emphasizes analyzing and interpreting data to identify patterns and relationships. In addition, students can use data to inform their next steps in a design or experiment.
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
- This is aimed for students to use mathematics and computational thinking to represent problems or solve problems. This can be used in tasks such as statistically analyzing data or constructing simulations.
Constructing Explanations (For Science) And Designing Solutions (For Engineering)
- In this practice, students are to construct explanations for natural phenomena. When you think about the engineering side, it’s the products created to solve problems. Evidence and scientific reasoning should be considered when this practice is used.
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- With this SEP, students engage in argumentation to explain and justify their explanation as solutions.
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
- With this practice, students obtain information from a variety of sources, check to make sure it’s “legit”, and communicate this information with others. They critique and communicate ideas.
Science and Engineering Practices Activities
Are you looking for science and engineering practices activities for students? I have good news to share! As I learn more about the scientific and engineering practices, I will be sharing them on this website, so stay tuned! I will take a deep dive into these practices and share how they can be used in the classroom.
As of now, I have been working on several activities that can be used in the middle school science classroom that work to address at least one of these science and engineering practices.
Here are some examples, and remember to stay tuned for more! These will definitely help bring the WOW Factor to your classroom!

Constructing and Explanation Example
In this activity, students can classify matter models as elements, compounds, and mixtures based on how the atoms are arranged. In addition, they will have to construct an explanation based on what they have learned in their class or by other resources.
It’s a fun gallery walk style assignment where students can engage in this SEP. Can you spot the other SEPs students can take part in?
Analyzing And Interpreting Data Example
In this activity, students investigate what happens to the speed of a toy car when the height of the ramp increases. Also, they look at how the motion of the toy car is impacted.
This lab is set up with specific directions on how to investigate this and students collect data, analyze the data, and interpret the data.
In addition, students have a chance to create their own investigation to explore these concepts further.
There are SO many SEPs that are used in this activity besides analyzing and interpreting data.
Developing And Using Models
In this activity, students model genetic processes to create an animal/creatures using certain genotypes. They work with a partner to draw four offspring, using Punnett squares, to show what traits they could have!
This is a fun way to use models in the classroom!
Here are some more references for the science and engineering practices:
[…] you implement the 8 Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) in your science classroom? These standards were created with the aim of improving science […]