NGSS Crosscutting Concepts*
* Adapted from: National Research Council (2011).
A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas.
Committee on a Conceptual Framework for New K-12 Science Education Standards.
Board on Science Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: The National Academy Press. Chapter 4: Crosscutting Concepts.
April 2013 NGSS Release Page 17 of 17
5. Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation
– Tracking energy and matter flows, into, out of, and within systems helps one understand their system’s behavior.
K-2 Crosscutting Statements
3-5 Crosscutting Statements
6-8 Crosscutting Statements
9-12 Crosscutting Statements
Objects may break into smaller pieces,
be put together into larger pieces, or
change shapes.
Matter is made of particles.
Matter flows and cycles can be tracked
in terms of the weight of the
substances before and after a process
occurs. The total weight of the
substances does not change. This is
what is meant by conservation of
matter. Matter is transported into, out
of, and within systems.
Energy can be transferred in various
ways and between objects.
Matter is conserved because atoms are
conserved in physical and chemical processes.
Within a natural or designed system, the transfer
of energy drives the motion and/or cycling of
matter.
Energy may take different forms (e.g. energy in
fields, thermal energy, energy of motion).
The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy
flows through a designed or natural system.
The total amount of energy and matter in closed
systems is conserved.
Changes of energy and matter in a system can be
described in terms of energy and matter flows
into, out of, and within that system.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed—only
moves between one place and another place,
between objects and/or fields, or between
systems.
Energy drives the cycling of matter within and
between systems.
In nuclear processes, atoms are not conserved,
but the total number of protons plus neutrons is
conserved.
6. Structure and Function
– The way an object is shaped or structured determines many of its properties and functions.
K-2 Crosscutting Statements
3-5 Crosscutting Statements
6-8 Crosscutting Statements
9-12 Crosscutting Statements
The shape and stability of structures of
natural and designed objects are
related to their function(s).
Different materials have different
substructures, which can sometimes be
observed.
Substructures have shapes and parts
that serve functions.
Complex and microscopic structures and systems
can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe
how their function depends on the shapes,
composition, and relationships among its parts;
therefore, complex natural and designed
structures/systems can be analyzed to determine
how they function.
Structures can be designed to serve particular
functions by taking into account properties of
different materials, and how materials can be
shaped and used.
Investigating or designing new systems or
structures requires a detailed examination of the
properties of different materials, the structures of
different components, and connections of
components to reveal its function and/or solve a
problem.
The functions and properties of natural and
designed objects and systems can be inferred
from their overall structure, the way their
components are shaped and used, and the
molecular substructures of its various materials.
7. Stability and Change
– For both designed and natural systems, conditions that affect stability and factors that control rates of change are critical elements to consider and
understand.
K-2 Crosscutting Statements
3-5 Crosscutting Statements
6-8 Crosscutting Statements
9-12 Crosscutting Statements
Some things stay the same while other
things change.
Things may change slowly or rapidly.
Change is measured in terms of
differences over time and may occur
at different rates.
Some systems appear stable, but
over long periods of time will
eventually change.
Explanations of stability and change in natural or
designed systems can be constructed by examining
the changes over time and forces at different scales,
including the atomic scale.
Small changes in one part of a system might cause
large changes in another part.
Stability might be disturbed either by sudden events
or gradual changes that accumulate over time.
Systems in dynamic equilibrium are stable due to a
balance of feedback mechanisms.
Much of science deals with constructing
explanations of how things change and how they
remain stable.
Change and rates of change can be quantified
and modeled over very short or very long periods
of time. Some system changes are irreversible.
Feedback (negative or positive) can stabilize or
destabilize a system.
Systems can be designed for greater or lesser
stability.