NGSS Crosscutting Concepts - Organized by Grade Level

1. PATTERNS 
1. Grades K -2
1. Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.
2. Grades 3 - 5
1. Patterns of change can be used to make predictions. 
2. Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort and classify natural phenomena and designed products. 
3. Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation.
4. Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort, classify, communicate and analyze simple rates of change for natural phenomena.
2. CAUSE AND EFFECT
1. Grades K - 2
1. Simple tests can be designed to gather evidence to support or refute student ideas about causes.
2. Events have causes that generate observable patterns. 
2. Grades 3 - 5 
1. Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified, tested, and used to explain change. 
3. SCALE, PROPORTION, AND QUANTITY 
1. Grades 3 - 5
1. Observable phenomena exist from very short to very long time periods.
2. Natural objects exist from the very small to the immensely large.
3. Standard units are used to measure and describe physical quantities such as weight, time, temperature, and volume. 
4. SYSTEMS AND SYSTEM MODELS 
1. Grades K - 2
1. Systems in the natural and designed world have parts that work together.
2. Grades 3 - 5
1. A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions. 
2. Observable phenomena exist from very short to very long time periods.
5. ENERGY AND MATTER
1. Grades K - 2
1. Objects may break into smaller pieces and be put together into larger pieces, or change shapes. 
2. Grades 3 - 5 
1. Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects. 
2. Matter is transported into, out of, and within systems. 
6. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
1. Grades K - 2
1. The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s).
7. STABILITY AND CHANGE
1. Grades K - 2
1. Things may change slowly or rapidly.
8. INTERDEPENDENCE OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY 
1. Grades K - 2
1. People encounter questions about the natural world every day. 
2. Grades 3 - 5
1. Scientific discoveries about the natural world can often lead to new and improved technologies, which are developed through the engineering design process.
2. Knowledge of relevant scientific concepts and research findings is important in engineering.
9. INFLUENCE OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE ON SOCIETY AND THE NATURAL WORLD 
1. Grades K - 2
1. People depend on various technologies in their lives; human life would be very different without technology.
2. Every human-made product is designed by applying some knowledge of the natural world and is built using materials derived from the natural world. 
3. Developing and using technology has impacts on the natural world. 
2. Grades 3 - 5
   1. Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones to increase their benefits (e.g., better artificial limbs), decrease known risks (e.g., seatbelts in cars), and meet societal demands (e.g., cell phones).
   2. Over time, people’s needs and wants change, as do their demands for new and improved technologies.