Science and Engineering Practices

STEM Tools

Science and engineering practices: It's not just about the answers

Too often, science is reduced to memorizing facts and formulas, leaving little room for curiosity or creativity. The science and engineering practices (SEPs), however, are about much more than the “right answer.” They challenge students to think and act like scientists and engineers—asking questions, designing solutions, analyzing data, and arguing from evidence.

If your science lessons are still centered on rigid step-by-step process, it’s time for a shift. Science isn’t about knowing the answer; it’s about finding it. And yet, the sheer number of SEPs—eight in total—can feel overwhelming. How do you tackle all these practices while keeping your students engaged?

Here’s a quick refresher on what SEPs look like in action:

Asking Questions and Defining Problems: Empowering students to pose their own questions or identify real-world challenges.
Developing and Using Models: Encouraging learners to create visual or physical models to understand complex phenomena.
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Guiding students to design and execute experiments or research.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data: Helping them make sense of results through tools like graphs, charts, or coding.
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking: Applying math and computation to explain and predict outcomes.
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions: Building evidence-based scientific explanations or practical solutions.
Engaging in Argument from Evidence: Teaching students to justify their reasoning with data.
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information: Supporting them in effectively researching, analyzing, and sharing findings.

The challenge? Many educators retreat to traditional approaches, leaving these transformative practices untouched. But there’s a better way. Learn more and see examples of students giving evidence to support their claims using SEPs from the Next Generation Science Standards website.

Real missions bring science and engineering practices alive

The key to making science and engineering practices (SEPs) stick is giving students real-world missions through project-based learning (PBL) like those found on the Rock by Rock platform. PBL and SEPs are perfect: projects like designing a water filtration system or investigating weather patterns naturally weave SEPs into the learning process. Through these hands-on experiences, students aren’t just “doing science” but thinking scientifically.

Here’s the secret: let the project drive the practices. Don’t feel pressured to include every SEP in every lesson. Instead, align your SEPs with the project’s goals. For example, if students investigate plant growth, focus on “planning and carrying out investigations” and “analyzing and interpreting data.”

This targeted approach helps students engage deeply with a few practices, building confidence and competence over time.

Get ready to shake things up

Start small. Choose a project that excites both you and your students. Pick two or three SEPs that align naturally with the project’s goals. Build your lessons around those practices, and focus on progress over perfection.

The beauty of SEPs is their versatility—they teach students to think critically, solve problems, and adapt their learning across disciplines. By embedding these practices into meaningful, project-driven work, you’ll transform science in your innovative classroom or microschool and prepare your students to thrive in any subject—and in life.

Let’s move from frustration to fascination, one project at a time. At Rock by Rock, it is our goal to bring quality real-world mission driven projects to your fingertips that can be adapted to fit your students’ needs.

Science and Engineering Practices

STEM Tools