Implementing Florida's NGSSS Framework with Strawbees

Strawbees & Florida's NGSSS: Hands-On Learning to Support Scientific Inquiry and Problem-Solving
What Are the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS)?
Strawbees Alignment to the Florida NGSSS
How Strawbees Enhances Cross-Curricular Integration
Bringing NGSSS to Life with Strawbees
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Strawbees & Florida's NGSSS: Hands-On Learning to Support Scientific Inquiry and Problem-Solving

Developed in 2008 by the Florida Department of Education, NGSSS was designed to provide clear learning expectations across K–12 education. Unlike the national Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Florida created a unique set of benchmarks that focus on content-based learning rather than performance-based expectations.

The four major strands of NGSSS for Science include:

Nature of Science; focusing on scientific processes, inquiry-based learning, and critical thinking.
Earth and Space Science; Covering topics such as the solar system, weather patterns, and Earth’s structure.
Physical Science; Emphasizing matter, energy, force, and motion.
Life Science; Exploring ecosystems, genetics, evolution, and biological processes.

NGSSS assessments, such as the Florida State-wide Science Assessment (Grades 5 and 8) and Biology End-of-Course Exam (EOC), measure student proficiency and ensure they meet educational benchmarks.

Science

Nature of Science

Strawbees projects inherently promote scientific inquiry and the scientific method. Students can formulate questions, make predictions, conduct experiments, and analyze data as they design and test their creations. Students identify problems, brainstorm solutions, create prototypes, and iterate on their designs, encouraging them to think critically about the societal impacts of scientific discoveries and technological innovations.

When exploring forces and motion, students can build Strawbees catapults and experiment with launch angles, weight distribution, and energy transfer. By adjusting variables and recording results, they apply the scientific method to analyze cause-and-effect relationships, developing essential inquiry skills.

Earth and Space Science

Strawbees projects can simulate geological processes like erosion, deposition, and plate tectonics. Students can create models of a landscape and demonstrate the effects of these processes with an earthquake simulator. Students can design weather instruments and models of atmospheric phenomena to explore concepts related to weather patterns, climate change, and meteorology.

A project on hurricane-resistant buildings encourages students to design Strawbees structures that can withstand simulated high winds. By testing different shapes and reinforcements, they learn how scientific and engineering principles contribute to disaster-resistant construction, connecting NGSSS Earth Science concepts to real-world challenges in Florida.

By constructing models that harness the power of natural resources, students gain insights into how wind and water can be used as an energy source.

Physical Science

A hands-on way to explore the laws of physics through Strawbees, helps students grasp Newton’s Laws, energy transformation, and structural integrity. Through interactive projects, students see how physical science concepts apply to engineering and design.

Strawbees projects involving pulleys, levers, and other simple machines can help students explore concepts related to forces and motion. They can experiment with how different configurations of Strawbees affect the direction of forces. Students can create models that demonstrate energy transfer.

A roller coaster challenge allows students to build a track using Strawbees and test how potential and kinetic energy affect movement. By adjusting slopes and loop designs, students explore concepts like gravitational potential energy, friction, and acceleration, reinforcing key physical science benchmarks.

Life Science

Encourages students to model biological systems, simulate ecosystems, and explore biomimicry with Strawbees. These activities help bring Life Science concepts to life by allowing students to visualize and manipulate biological structures.

Students can construct models of plants and animals using Strawbees, identifying features and their functions. Alternatively, they might build an ecosystem model, simulating food chains and demonstrate how organisms interact within an environment. These hands-on projects can help them understand the concepts of food webs and the interdependence of living species. Design models of organisms and their adaptations to specific environments, showcasing how living things evolve to survive in their surroundings and reinforces NGSSS Life Science standards by making abstract concepts more tangible and engaging.

Computer Science

Strawbees projects often involve engineering principles, problem-solving and logical reasoning. These activities help students develop computational thinking skills, which are a fundamental aspect of computer science education. Projects involve integrating hardware components and sensors into their structures, where students learn to interface with the physical world using digital technologies. Students incorporate basic coding and programming concepts with the micro:bit while building, testing, and refining solutions to real-world problems.

Social Studies

Geography

Students can use Strawbees to create 3D geographical models, including topographical features and landscapes. These projects can help students understand geographical concepts and map reading skills. Students can design models of eco-friendly renewable energy systems or sustainable urban planning, fostering an understanding of the environmental impact of engineering and technology.

Economics

Students can examine how engineering and technological innovations have contributed to economic development and prosperity throughout history. Build models that represent economic hubs, transportation networks, or industrial complexes. Students can explore the history of innovations and technological advancements by recreating and studying ancient inventions such as a mechanical crane or engineering marvels like catapults from various civilizations.

English Language Arts (B.E.S.T.)

Reading

Many projects in Strawbees Classroom often require students to read diagrams to construct various models. This practice enhances reading comprehension skills as they extract information and procedural steps from written materials. They may need to read to understand scientific concepts related to engineering, physics, or other scientific fields. This reading comprehension connects science content with ELA skills, and this expanded vocabulary supports reading comprehension and improves students' overall language skills.

After completing projects, students may engage in reading activities involving reflection and self-assessment. They can read and evaluate their work, identifying areas for improvement and discussing their project experiences in written form.

Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)

Geometric Reasoning

Learning about geometric reasoning involves the ability to visualize and manipulate geometric objects in space. Strawbees projects often require students to work with various shapes, such as polygons, triangles, rectangles, and 3D figures.

Engaging with these shapes helps students identify, classify, and manipulate geometric forms. Students must consider geometric concepts when planning and executing their creations, promoting an understanding of geometry's role in practical applications.

The Florida NGSSS connects with other subject areas, making Strawbees an effective tool for interdisciplinary learning.

Mathematics – Measurement & Geometry: Strawbees activities involve calculations related to angles, ratios, and proportional reasoning, reinforcing math skills in a real-world context. A lesson on geometric shapes becomes more interactive when students build 3D polyhedra using Strawbees to explore symmetry and volume.
English Language Arts – Communication & Scientific Writing: NGSSS science standards incorporate reading and writing skills, encouraging students to document and present their findings. A project where students explain the engineering choices behind their Strawbees prototype supports literacy development through technical writing and persuasive communication.
Computer Science & Engineering – Coding & Automation: Using micro:bit with Strawbees, students can explore robotics, coding logic, and automation, supporting Florida’s push toward STEAM career readiness. By programming a robotic arm that controls a crane, students engage in computational thinking while reinforcing physics and engineering principles.
Environmental Science – Sustainability & Climate Education: While NGSSS includes environmental topics within Earth Science, many Florida schools independently expand on climate change and sustainability. A project on designing energy-efficient Strawbees structures aligns with these efforts, teaching students about renewable energy, material conservation, and green engineering.

Strawbees transforms Florida's Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) from textbook concepts into interactive, real-world learning experiences. By engaging in hands-on, project-based activities, students develop scientific literacy, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of engineering principles.

Students can test theories, conduct experiments, and refine their designs, mirroring the inquiry-driven approach of the NGSSS framework. Whether building earthquake-resistant towers, coding interactive machines, or exploring force and motion, students develop critical thinking skills that prepare them for the challenges of higher education and STEAM careers.

Educators seeking engaging and standards-aligned STEAM resources will find Strawbees to be a powerful tool for bringing Florida’s science standards to life while fostering innovation, collaboration, and scientific exploration.

Florida's Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS)

Strawbees & NGSSS

What Are Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS)?

Strawbees Alignment to Florida's NGSSS