4th Grade "Scientists in Action"- Science Supplies for Hands-On NGSS Discovery

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Kelsea Adams
School Site
Tahoe Lake Elementary
Grant Category
Mathematics & Science
Grant Date
2026-06-09T12:00:00
Description

In 4th grade, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) challenge students to move beyond simply naming parts of a plant or animal. They must now argue how those specific internal and external structures function as a system to support survival, growth, and reproduction. This project aims to provide the tactile materials necessary for students to observe and model these biological systems in real-time.

Marine biology offers one of the most vibrant ways to study the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Previous grants have provided us with the ability to set up our marine ecosystems, and this new grant will allow students with access to supplies to observe in real-time how internal and external structures—like a turtle’s shell, a fish’s lateral line, or a plant’s vascular system—work together to support life in an underwater environment.

Benefits of Program

NGSS Mastery and Marine Habitat Care as Scientific Practice: Students will be able to argue, using their own collected data, how the environment supports the internal systems of our marine life. Students take ownership of the "life-support system," learning that science requires consistency, cleanliness, and careful observation.

 

Success of Program

4th grade students are already LOVING our interactive marine ecosystems funded by previous grants. Now that we are officially rolling out our science lab to all 4th grade students, we have learned that there are necessary consumables that we will need to purchase each year, as well as fundamental science supplies to conduct observations of the ecosystems to best support our learning of 4th Grade NGSS.

Implementation

1. Internal & External Structures (4-LS1-1)

Students must construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival.

The Living Lab: Students will compare the external armor of a turtle (shell) to the streamlined scales of a fish. They will observe how aquatic plants use hollow stems (internal structures) to stay buoyant and reach light.

The Experience: Students will map the anatomy of our residents, identifying how a turtle's webbed feet (external) and lungs (internal) allow it to bridge the gap between water and air.

2. Information Processing & Senses (4-LS1-2)

This standard focuses on how animals receive different types of information through their senses and respond.

The Living Lab: Marine animals have specialized senses. Students will observe how fish respond to vibrations in the water (lateral line system) or how a turtle uses its sense of smell to locate food.

The Experience: Students will conduct "Stimulus-Response" logs, documenting how the inhabitants react to light changes, feeding times, or water movement, proving that animals process environmental information to survive.

3. Marine Habitat Care as Scientific Practice: A major shift in NGSS is engaging in Science and Engineering Practices. Maintaining a marine tank turns students into "Systems Engineers":

  • Water Chemistry: Using testing kits to monitor pH, ammonia, and nitrates teaches students that organisms depend on their physical environment.
  • Habitat Care: Students will learn to care for marine habitats to help plants and animals survive, mimicking a natural ecosystem. 
Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

Yes! Judi Scoville and I are already deploying all 4th grade students to each of our classes for hands on science  experiences. I have the "Plants and Animals" Unit, and students come to my classroom for eight 1.5 hours learning sessions where they immerse themselves in plant and animal internal/external structures, adaptations, information processing/senses and ways of survival/growth/reproduction.

Sustainability
The aquatic ecosystems are already set up and running in our classroom. Since this is the first year that we are officially deploying students, we have learned that we need more science supplies in order for all students to participate in this hands on learning experience. We also need to purchase some consumables each year in order to keep up with this interactive lab.
Amount Funded
$1500.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$500 - Consumables (i.e. water testing strips, water quality monitors, habitat care, plants, food, medicine, filter cartridges, etc.)
$1000 - Miscellaneous Science Supplies (buckets, graduated cylinders, thermometers, sponges, towels, siphons, hoses, power packs)
Shipping
$0.00
Taxes
$0.00
Other funding sources

Not that I know of.

Notes

Workbooks, packets, and online videos can describe plant/animal structures and survival modalities, but they cannot show the grace of a turtle diving or the immediate response of a school of fish to a ripple in the water. By continuing to fund this marine laboratory, you are giving 4th graders a window into a world they might otherwise never see. This turns every school day into a field trip to the water, to fully immerse students in hands on experiences with Next Generation Science Standards!