Lesson Plan
NGSA Science Sprint
Students will be able to apply scientific principles to answer NGSA-style questions and identify areas for further study.
The NGSA Science Exam assesses critical scientific understanding. This practice session will build student confidence, familiarize them with the question format, and highlight concepts needing more attention for successful exam performance.
Audience
10th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through guided practice and immediate feedback, students will tackle diverse science problems.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the NGSA Science Sprint Slides to ensure familiarity with the content and flow.
- Print copies of the NGSA Science Practice Problems for each student.
- Have the NGSA Practice Answer Key readily available for quick reference and discussion.
- Ensure projector and computer are working properly.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-up
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the day's objective: preparing for the NGSA Science Exam.
- Briefly explain the format of the session using NGSA Science Sprint Slides (Slide 1-2).
- Distribute the NGSA Science Practice Problems worksheet.
Step 2
Guided Practice
15 minutes
- Guide students through the first few problems on the NGSA Science Practice Problems worksheet, demonstrating problem-solving strategies (Slides 3-5).
- Encourage students to work independently or in pairs on the remaining problems.
- Circulate around the room to provide individual support and answer questions.
Step 3
Review and Discussion
8 minutes
- Bring the class together to review selected problems using the NGSA Practice Answer Key and NGSA Science Sprint Slides (Slide 6).
- Facilitate a brief discussion on common challenges or interesting solutions.
- Address any lingering questions about the concepts or exam strategies.
Step 4
Wrap-up & Next Steps
2 minutes
- Reiterate the importance of consistent practice (Slide 7).
- Encourage students to review the NGSA Practice Answer Key on their own and identify areas for further study.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
NGSA Science Sprint
Sharpening Your Science Skills for the Exam!
Objective: To practice NGSA-style science questions and identify key areas for review.
Welcome students and introduce the goal of the session.
What is the NGSA Science Exam?
The Next Generation Science Assessment evaluates your understanding of science concepts and your ability to apply scientific practices.
- Focuses on Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts.
- Practice helps you feel more confident and prepared!
Briefly explain what the NGSA Science Exam is and why practice is important.
Practice Problem 1: Ecosystems
A forest ecosystem experiences a sudden decrease in its deer population due to a new predator. Which of the following is the most likely immediate impact on the ecosystem?
A) An increase in primary producers (plants).
B) A decrease in the predator population.
C) An increase in the squirrel population.
D) A decrease in insect populations.
Introduce the first practice problem. Give students time to work on it.
Practice Problem 2: Chemical Reactions
When a student mixes two clear, colorless liquids, a white precipitate forms and the test tube feels warm. Which of the following best describes the evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred?
A) A change in state and a temperature change.
B) A color change and a change in volume.
C) A change in odor and a change in mass.
D) A change in shape and a change in density.
Introduce the second practice problem. Encourage students to think through the steps.
Practice Problem 3: Waves & Energy
A sound wave travels through air at a certain speed. If the frequency of the sound wave increases, but the medium remains the same, what happens to the wavelength and speed of the sound wave?
A) Wavelength decreases, speed increases.
B) Wavelength increases, speed remains the same.
C) Wavelength decreases, speed remains the same.
D) Wavelength increases, speed decreases.
Introduce the third practice problem. Remind students to consider all aspects of the question.
Time to Review!
Let's go over the practice problems together.
- Share your answers and your reasoning.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions!
- We'll use the NGSA Practice Answer Key to guide our discussion.
Transition to reviewing the answers. Emphasize understanding the 'why' behind each answer.
Keep Practicing!
Consistent practice is key to success!
- Review the NGSA Practice Answer Key for detailed explanations.
- Identify topics where you need more practice.
- Ask your teacher for additional resources!
You've got this!
Provide encouraging words and outline the next steps for continued preparation.
Worksheet
NGSA Science Practice Problems
Instructions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. Show your work or explain your reasoning for open-response questions.
Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1: Ecosystems
A forest ecosystem experiences a sudden decrease in its deer population due to a new predator. Which of the following is the most likely immediate impact on the ecosystem?
A) An increase in primary producers (plants).
B) A decrease in the predator population.
C) An increase in the squirrel population.
D) A decrease in insect populations.
Question 2: Chemical Reactions
When a student mixes two clear, colorless liquids, a white precipitate forms and the test tube feels warm. Which of the following best describes the evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred?
A) A change in state and a temperature change.
B) A color change and a change in volume.
C) A change in odor and a change in mass.
D) A change in shape and a change in density.
Question 3: Waves and Energy
A sound wave travels through air at a certain speed. If the frequency of the sound wave increases, but the medium remains the same, what happens to the wavelength and speed of the sound wave?
A) Wavelength decreases, speed increases.
B) Wavelength increases, speed remains the same.
C) Wavelength decreases, speed remains the same.
D) Wavelength increases, speed decreases.
Question 4: Cell Biology
Which organelle is primarily responsible for generating the majority of ATP (energy currency) in eukaryotic cells through cellular respiration?
A) Nucleus
B) Ribosome
C) Mitochondrion
D) Endoplasmic Reticulum
Question 5: Earth Systems
Intense rainfall over a deforested hillside is most likely to lead to which of the following environmental impacts?
A) Increased biodiversity.
B) Decreased soil erosion.
C) Increased runoff and sediment in rivers.
D) Decreased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Part 2: Open-Response Question
Question 6: Scientific Investigation
A scientist is investigating the effect of different fertilizers on plant growth. They set up three identical groups of plants. Group A receives fertilizer X, Group B receives fertilizer Y, and Group C receives no fertilizer. All plants are given the same amount of water and sunlight and are grown in the same type of soil.
A) Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable in this experiment.
B) Explain why it is important to keep the amount of water and sunlight the same for all groups.
Answer Key
NGSA Practice Answer Key
Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1: Ecosystems
Correct Answer: A) An increase in primary producers (plants).
Explanation: Deer eat plants. Fewer deer mean more plants. Option B, C, and D are less direct impacts.
Question 2: Chemical Reactions
Correct Answer: A) A change in state and a temperature change.
Explanation: A precipitate forming is a change in state (liquid to solid), and the test tube getting warm is a temperature change. Both indicate a chemical reaction.
Question 3: Waves and Energy
Correct Answer: C) Wavelength decreases, speed remains the same.
Explanation: Wave speed depends on the medium. If the medium (air) is constant, speed is constant. If frequency increases and speed is constant, wavelength must decrease (v = fλ).
Question 4: Cell Biology
Correct Answer: C) Mitochondrion
Explanation: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration, which generates most of the ATP (energy) in eukaryotic cells.
Question 5: Earth Systems
Correct Answer: C) Increased runoff and sediment in rivers.
Explanation: Trees and plants help absorb rainwater and hold soil in place. Without them (deforestation), rain runs off more quickly, carrying soil into rivers. This leads to increased runoff and sediment.
Part 2: Open-Response Question
Question 6: Scientific Investigation
A scientist is investigating the effect of different fertilizers on plant growth. They set up three identical groups of plants. Group A receives fertilizer X, Group B receives fertilizer Y, and Group C receives no fertilizer. All plants are given the same amount of water and sunlight and are grown in the same type of soil.
A) Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable in this experiment.
Answer:
- Independent Variable: The type of fertilizer used (Fertilizer X, Fertilizer Y, No fertilizer).
- Dependent Variable: Plant growth (e.g., height, mass, number of leaves).
B) Explain why it is important to keep the amount of water and sunlight the same for all groups.
Answer: It is important to keep the amount of water and sunlight the same for all groups to ensure that these factors do not influence plant growth. If water or sunlight varied, the scientist wouldn't know if changes in plant growth were due to the fertilizer or to differences in water/sunlight. These are controlled variables that must be kept constant to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.