The Lawrence Hall of Science

The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.

CINGA Publications

Sunstones at The Lawrence

Designing for Engineering: A Model for Integrating Engineering and Science NGSS Middle School Benchmark Assessments

This paper describes the project design approach for developing item sets for the NGSS engineering performance expectations (PEs) for middle school. It further examines how the design approach allows the integration of assessments for engineering PEs and for science PEs and how resulting item sets elicit three-dimensional responses from students for both PEs.

Children playing on the DNA sculpture at the Lawrence

Bridging the Gap: Evaluating a Design Approach for Curriculum-Neutral NGSS Benchmark Assessments in Middle School

This study focuses on the project approach to item design and eliciting three-dimensional student performances aligned to the NGSS middle school performance expectations. It also examines the curriculum-neutrality and accessibility of items for students, regardless of their curriculum of instruction.