The Science and Engineering Practices are intentionally scaffolded across grade levels. This progression ensures students continuously deepen their understanding and application of modeling as their cognitive skills grow.

​The eight SEPs are:

• Asking questions and defining problems
• Developing and using models
• Planning and carrying out investigations
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Using mathematics and computational thinking
• Constructing explanations and designing solutions
• Engaging in argument from evidence
• ​Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

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Models are simplified representations of complex objects, systems, or phenomena. These might include physical replicas, diagrams, graphs, simulations, or conceptual explanations. At the middle school level, students are expected to:

• Develop or revise models based on evidence
• Use models to test cause-and-effect relationships
• Predict outcomes of changes to a system
• Represent unobservable mechanisms, like molecular motion or energy transfer

Importantly, students are also expected to evaluate limitations of their models, reflecting a growing understanding that all models are simplifications.

 Developing and Using Models isn’t just a checkbox on a science standard it’s a powerful lens through which students make sense of the world. Through modeling, students deepen their understanding, apply critical thinking, and engage in authentic scientific practices.
From the chicken wing dissection to weather system models and energy diagrams, students in our classroom learn by doing. They’re not just memorizing facts, they're building explanations, testing predictions, and revising their thinking as they uncover new evidence.
By teaching students to think with models, we equip them with skills that will serve them in high school, in future STEM careers, and as scientifically literate citizens of the world.

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Have you ever wondered why students learn science better when they can get their hands dirty? Hands-on learning is not just fun it’s an essential tool for helping middle schoolers master complex scientific concepts. By actively engaging with the material, students make connections that go beyond textbooks. Here’s a look at three exciting hands-on projects from my classroom that demonstrate why interactive learning is key to deepening understanding in science.

In the Weather Water Tanks experiment, students explore how temperature affects the density of fluids and how fluids with different densities interact. By mixing warm water with cold water, students can directly observe the effects of changing temperatures, helping them better understand concepts such as density, thermal energy, and fluid dynamics.
This hands-on activity makes abstract scientific principles more accessible by allowing students to manipulate variables and see the results for themselves. Instead of just reading about density in a textbook, they experience it firsthand, strengthening their understanding of how temperature affects fluid behavior.

The Save the Penguin project challenges students to design and test insulation structures to protect a “penguin” (a small ice cube) from melting in a cold environment. By experimenting with various materials like foam, cotton, and aluminum foil, students learn about heat transfer, insulation, and thermal energy.
Not only does this project teach students valuable scientific principles, but it also connects to real-world issues, such as climate change and its impact on animal habitats. As students build their insulating structures, they develop an understanding of how rising temperatures affect ecosystems, fostering both scientific and environmental awareness.

In the Who is Ms. Hart? project, students gather evidence to guess my MBTI personality type based on various aspects of my life—such as my teaching style, hobbies, and past student feedback. They work in groups to collect six different forms of evidence, including video clips, readings, and a room walk, and then use the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) framework to analyze their findings.
The ultimate goal is for students to make an evidence-based claim about what my MBTI type might be. This project is not only a fun and engaging introduction to the scientific method but also teaches students how to collect data, interpret it, and construct arguments based on evidence. By applying the CER framework to guess my MBTI, students practice critical thinking, observation, and scientific reasoning in a personal and relatable way.

These projects highlight why hands-on learning is essential for understanding complex scientific concepts:

• Active Engagement: Students are actively involved in their learning process, whether they’re mixing water, designing penguin shelters, or analyzing personality traits. This active participation keeps students motivated and invested in the material.
  
• Concrete Understanding: Abstract concepts like density, heat transfer, and the scientific method become tangible when students engage in physical experiments. These real-world applications help solidify their understanding.
  
• Real-World Connections: Activities like Save the Penguin connect scientific learning to real-world issues such as climate change, while Who is Ms. Hart? introduces students to how science can be applied to everyday life (and a little bit of mystery!).
  
• Collaboration and Critical Thinking: Many of these projects involve teamwork, which promotes collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, students learn to think critically and back up their ideas with evidence.
  

By incorporating these hands-on projects, students not only gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts but also develop essential skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and scientific reasoning. These experiences empower students to see science as an engaging and practical field, relevant both in the classroom and in the world around them.