These should be easy to update**

It may seem odd that, at a time when the State of New Jersey is infusing climate change into every discipline in every grade band, the science standards haven't changed all that much. That is, it seems odd until you realize two things: one, the shift to NGSS was significant; and, two, the science of climate change isn't new. The drive to compel world leaders to act to save the planet is what's new. That is the task at hand. 

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One note about science standards, though, is that the AP test is keen on asking kids to devise their own experiments, and I'm not sure every science teacher is comfortable with that type of open-ended inquisitiveness. There's safety concerns to consider, of course. But setting those aside, the school year doesn't seem to be long enough to allow kids to try something that might not work. Yet, isn't that the essence of scientific exploration?

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Imagine how much more curious students would be if they didn't know the outcome of their experiment. Imagine, as a teacher, how much more exciting school might be. 

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Like all educational innovations, start small. Set aside one day, maybe two, where kids can devise their own experiments, run them, and analyze the data. I'm thinking this might be a good activity for March - late enough in the year when you know your kids, but early enough to try it again if it works.  

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(**Note: if you use Rubicon Atlas, they may be able to update all of your science standards automatically. The standards are exactly the same. You'd just have to add the ones about climate change.)