Exploring the Science Framework and the NGSS: Computational Thinking in Elementary School Classrooms

A Framework for K-12 Science Education identified eight practices as "essential elements of the K-12 science and engineering curriculum." These practices have been embedded deeply within the Next Generation Science Standards where they are wedded closely to core ideas in the science disciplines. Most of the practices, such as Developing and Using Models, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, and Analyzing and Interpreting Data, are well known among science educators. In contrast, Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking raises questions in the minds of many educators. Here, Sneider et al explore mathematical and computational thinking in elementary school classrooms.