ELEMENTARY SCIENCE
CURRICULUM - D671 WGU 2026.
Official Western Governors University NGSS-Aligned Elementary Science Education
Blueprint Replica – 70 Questions with Verified Answers
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Grades K-6
SECTION 1: SCIENCE & ENGINEERING PRACTICES (Questions 1–15)
Q1: A third-grade teacher asks students to observe a terrarium ecosystem and record what
they notice about the plants, soil, and water over two weeks. Which Science and Engineering
Practice (SEP) are students primarily demonstrating?
• A. Developing and Using Models
• B. Asking Questions and Defining Problems
• C. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations [CORRECT]
• D. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 3 (Planning and Carrying Out Investigations) involves
students conducting systematic observations over time and recording data; in grades 3-5,
students plan and conduct investigations collaboratively, identifying variables and making
observations to answer questions about phenomena.
Q2: During a fifth-grade unit on the water cycle, students create labeled diagrams showing
evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. They then use their diagrams to predict what
will happen if the temperature increases. Which SEP best describes this activity?
• A. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• B. Developing and Using Models [CORRECT]
• C. Engaging in Argument from Evidence
• D. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 2 (Developing and Using Models) requires students to
create representations of systems or processes and use them to generate predictions; by
,constructing water cycle diagrams and using them to make predictions about temperature
changes, students are modeling unobservable mechanisms and testing their explanatory power.
Q3: A kindergarten teacher shows students two balls of different sizes rolled down a ramp and
asks, 'What do you notice about how they move?' After students respond, the teacher waits 5
seconds before calling on anyone. Which instructional strategy is the teacher using?
• A. Scaffolding for English language learners
• B. Wait time to promote deeper thinking [CORRECT]
• C. Differentiated questioning for gifted students
• D. Formative assessment through exit tickets
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because research on effective science questioning demonstrates that wait
time of 3-5 seconds after posing a question increases student response quality, participation
rates, and depth of reasoning; this strategy supports all learners by providing processing time to
formulate evidence-based observations.
Q4: In a fourth-grade classroom, students measure the distance traveled by toy cars released
from different heights on a ramp. They record their data in tables and create bar graphs to
compare results. Which SEP are students primarily using?
• A. Asking Questions and Defining Problems
• B. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
• C. Analyzing and Interpreting Data [CORRECT]
• D. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 4 (Analyzing and Interpreting Data) involves organizing
data in tables and graphs to reveal patterns and relationships; in grades 3-5, students represent
data in multiple formats and use quantitative measures to compare results, which supports their
ability to identify cause-and-effect relationships between ramp height and distance traveled.
Q5: A second-grade class is investigating whether plants grow better with more light. The
teacher provides seeds, soil, cups, and a light source, then asks students to figure out how to
test this question. Students design their own procedure, deciding how many plants to use,
how much water to give, and where to place the light. What level of inquiry is this?
,• A. Confirmation inquiry
• B. Structured inquiry
• C. Guided inquiry [CORRECT]
• D. Open inquiry
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because guided inquiry provides students with the research question but
requires them to design their own procedure; in this scenario, the teacher supplies the question
(Does light affect plant growth?) and materials, but students independently determine
experimental design, variables to control, and data collection methods, which aligns with NGSS
emphasis on student-directed investigation in elementary grades.
Q6: A fifth-grade teacher presents students with data showing that ice cubes melt faster on
metal than on wood. Students are asked to use this evidence to explain why some materials
feel colder than others even at the same room temperature. Which SEP is the primary focus?
• A. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
• B. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions [CORRECT]
• C. Engaging in Argument from Evidence
• D. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 6 (Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions)
requires students to use evidence to construct explanations about phenomena; by analyzing the
melting rate data and applying scientific ideas about thermal conductivity, students construct an
evidence-based explanation for why materials feel different despite equal ambient temperature.
Q7: During a science discussion, a third-grade student claims that 'heavy things always fall
faster than light things.' Another student disagrees and cites evidence from a classroom
investigation where a crumpled paper ball and a flat sheet of paper were dropped
simultaneously. Which SEP is being demonstrated?
• A. Asking Questions and Defining Problems
• B. Developing and Using Models
• C. Engaging in Argument from Evidence [CORRECT]
• D. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 7 (Engaging in Argument from Evidence) involves students
constructing arguments using data to support or refute claims; in grades 3-5, students critique
evidence, distinguish between opinion and evidence-based claims, and engage in scientific
discourse to refine understanding of physical science concepts like gravity and air resistance.
Q8: A first-grade teacher reads a picture book about different animal habitats and asks
students to draw and label where each animal lives. Students then share their drawings with
partners and explain their reasoning. Which SEP best describes this activity?
• A. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information [CORRECT]
• B. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• C. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
• D. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 8 (Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information)
involves reading grade-appropriate texts, synthesizing information, and communicating ideas
through drawings, verbal explanations, and visual displays; in K-2, students use multiple formats
including pictures and partner talk to share scientific information about organisms and their
environments.
Q9: A fourth-grade class collects temperature readings every hour during a school day.
Students calculate the average temperature, identify the highest and lowest readings, and
determine the range. Which SEP is being emphasized?
• A. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
• B. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• C. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking [CORRECT]
• D. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 5 (Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking)
requires students to use quantitative data and mathematical representations to describe
phenomena; by calculating averages, identifying extremes, and determining range from their
temperature data, students apply computational thinking to analyze weather patterns and
support evidence-based explanations.
CURRICULUM - D671 WGU 2026.
Official Western Governors University NGSS-Aligned Elementary Science Education
Blueprint Replica – 70 Questions with Verified Answers
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Grades K-6
SECTION 1: SCIENCE & ENGINEERING PRACTICES (Questions 1–15)
Q1: A third-grade teacher asks students to observe a terrarium ecosystem and record what
they notice about the plants, soil, and water over two weeks. Which Science and Engineering
Practice (SEP) are students primarily demonstrating?
• A. Developing and Using Models
• B. Asking Questions and Defining Problems
• C. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations [CORRECT]
• D. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 3 (Planning and Carrying Out Investigations) involves
students conducting systematic observations over time and recording data; in grades 3-5,
students plan and conduct investigations collaboratively, identifying variables and making
observations to answer questions about phenomena.
Q2: During a fifth-grade unit on the water cycle, students create labeled diagrams showing
evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. They then use their diagrams to predict what
will happen if the temperature increases. Which SEP best describes this activity?
• A. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• B. Developing and Using Models [CORRECT]
• C. Engaging in Argument from Evidence
• D. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 2 (Developing and Using Models) requires students to
create representations of systems or processes and use them to generate predictions; by
,constructing water cycle diagrams and using them to make predictions about temperature
changes, students are modeling unobservable mechanisms and testing their explanatory power.
Q3: A kindergarten teacher shows students two balls of different sizes rolled down a ramp and
asks, 'What do you notice about how they move?' After students respond, the teacher waits 5
seconds before calling on anyone. Which instructional strategy is the teacher using?
• A. Scaffolding for English language learners
• B. Wait time to promote deeper thinking [CORRECT]
• C. Differentiated questioning for gifted students
• D. Formative assessment through exit tickets
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because research on effective science questioning demonstrates that wait
time of 3-5 seconds after posing a question increases student response quality, participation
rates, and depth of reasoning; this strategy supports all learners by providing processing time to
formulate evidence-based observations.
Q4: In a fourth-grade classroom, students measure the distance traveled by toy cars released
from different heights on a ramp. They record their data in tables and create bar graphs to
compare results. Which SEP are students primarily using?
• A. Asking Questions and Defining Problems
• B. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
• C. Analyzing and Interpreting Data [CORRECT]
• D. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 4 (Analyzing and Interpreting Data) involves organizing
data in tables and graphs to reveal patterns and relationships; in grades 3-5, students represent
data in multiple formats and use quantitative measures to compare results, which supports their
ability to identify cause-and-effect relationships between ramp height and distance traveled.
Q5: A second-grade class is investigating whether plants grow better with more light. The
teacher provides seeds, soil, cups, and a light source, then asks students to figure out how to
test this question. Students design their own procedure, deciding how many plants to use,
how much water to give, and where to place the light. What level of inquiry is this?
,• A. Confirmation inquiry
• B. Structured inquiry
• C. Guided inquiry [CORRECT]
• D. Open inquiry
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because guided inquiry provides students with the research question but
requires them to design their own procedure; in this scenario, the teacher supplies the question
(Does light affect plant growth?) and materials, but students independently determine
experimental design, variables to control, and data collection methods, which aligns with NGSS
emphasis on student-directed investigation in elementary grades.
Q6: A fifth-grade teacher presents students with data showing that ice cubes melt faster on
metal than on wood. Students are asked to use this evidence to explain why some materials
feel colder than others even at the same room temperature. Which SEP is the primary focus?
• A. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
• B. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions [CORRECT]
• C. Engaging in Argument from Evidence
• D. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 6 (Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions)
requires students to use evidence to construct explanations about phenomena; by analyzing the
melting rate data and applying scientific ideas about thermal conductivity, students construct an
evidence-based explanation for why materials feel different despite equal ambient temperature.
Q7: During a science discussion, a third-grade student claims that 'heavy things always fall
faster than light things.' Another student disagrees and cites evidence from a classroom
investigation where a crumpled paper ball and a flat sheet of paper were dropped
simultaneously. Which SEP is being demonstrated?
• A. Asking Questions and Defining Problems
• B. Developing and Using Models
• C. Engaging in Argument from Evidence [CORRECT]
• D. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 7 (Engaging in Argument from Evidence) involves students
constructing arguments using data to support or refute claims; in grades 3-5, students critique
evidence, distinguish between opinion and evidence-based claims, and engage in scientific
discourse to refine understanding of physical science concepts like gravity and air resistance.
Q8: A first-grade teacher reads a picture book about different animal habitats and asks
students to draw and label where each animal lives. Students then share their drawings with
partners and explain their reasoning. Which SEP best describes this activity?
• A. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information [CORRECT]
• B. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• C. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
• D. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 8 (Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information)
involves reading grade-appropriate texts, synthesizing information, and communicating ideas
through drawings, verbal explanations, and visual displays; in K-2, students use multiple formats
including pictures and partner talk to share scientific information about organisms and their
environments.
Q9: A fourth-grade class collects temperature readings every hour during a school day.
Students calculate the average temperature, identify the highest and lowest readings, and
determine the range. Which SEP is being emphasized?
• A. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
• B. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• C. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking [CORRECT]
• D. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NGSS SEP 5 (Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking)
requires students to use quantitative data and mathematical representations to describe
phenomena; by calculating averages, identifying extremes, and determining range from their
temperature data, students apply computational thinking to analyze weather patterns and
support evidence-based explanations.
