Aligning MYP Science with NGSS (Grades 6–10)
This guide shows how the Next Generation Science Standards line up with IB MYP Sciences for Grades 6–10 (MYP 1–5). Each NGSS performance expectation is matched to the MYP criteria it best assesses, and every mapping links to a free lesson you can use straight away.
- NGSS standards mapped
- 130
- Standards with a free lesson
- 130
- MYP criteria used
- 4
Why NGSS and MYP fit together
- NGSS science and engineering practices ask students to plan investigations, analyse data and construct explanations — the same behaviours MYP Criteria B and C assess.
- NGSS disciplinary core ideas provide the subject knowledge that MYP Criterion A tests through knowing and understanding.
- NGSS crosscutting concepts translate naturally into MYP key and related concepts, which keeps units conceptual rather than topic-driven.
- MYP Criterion D (reflecting on the impacts of science) is served by the NGSS engineering and human-impact expectations.
How each MYP criterion is matched to NGSS
Criterion A: Knowing and Understanding
Explain scientific knowledge, apply it to familiar and unfamiliar situations, and use correct scientific terminology supported by evidence and examples.
Matched to 97 NGSS standards and 36 free lessons.
Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing
Explain a problem, formulate a testable hypothesis, identify variables, and design a safe, logical method for a scientific investigation.
Matched to 45 NGSS standards and 8 free lessons.
Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating
Collect, organise and process data, present it correctly, interpret results, draw conclusions and evaluate the method.
Matched to 45 NGSS standards and 21 free lessons.
Criterion D: Reflecting on the Impacts of Science
Explain how science is applied and how it interacts with society, evaluate implications, and communicate using scientific language.
Matched to 56 NGSS standards and 14 free lessons.
NGSS strands mapped to MYP criteria
| NGSS strand | Standards | MYP criteria assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Earth and Space Science | 34 | Criterion A, Criterion B, Criterion C, Criterion D |
| Engineering Design | 8 | Criterion A, Criterion B, Criterion C, Criterion D |
| Life Science | 45 | Criterion A, Criterion B, Criterion C, Criterion D |
| Physical Science | 43 | Criterion A, Criterion B, Criterion C, Criterion D |
Grade to MYP year mapping
| School grade | MYP year |
|---|---|
| Grade 6 | MYP 1 |
| Grade 7 | MYP 2 |
| Grade 8 | MYP 3 |
| Grade 9 | MYP 4 |
| Grade 10 | MYP 5 |
Use the alignment in your planning
Every lesson lists its NGSS codes and the MYP criteria it assesses, so a unit planner can be built straight from the library. Teachers can also generate a full MYP unit or lesson plan — statement of inquiry, global context, ATL skills, command terms and criteria — with Inquira, the free MYP planning assistant. Families following the library at home can start with the homeschool guide.