Complete mapping of all six BackpAQ experiments to Next Generation Science Standards — Performance Expectations, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts.
Primary NGSS performance expectations addressed by each investigation. All experiments also reinforce ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems as the core Disciplinary Core Idea.
| Experiment | Grade | Primary Performance Expectation(s) | Disciplinary Core Idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time of Day | 6–12 |
MS-ESS3-3
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ESS2-5
Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
|
ESS3.C · ESS2.D |
| Indoor vs Outdoor | 6–12 |
MS-ESS3-3
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ETS1-1
Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution.
|
ESS3.C · ETS1.A |
| Distance from Source | 7–12 |
MS-ESS3-3
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
HS-ESS3-6
Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
|
ESS3.C · ESS3.A |
| Weather Effects | 7–12 |
MS-ESS2-5
Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-3
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
HS-ESS2-4
Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems result in changes in climate.
|
ESS2.D · ESS3.C |
| Clean Route Finder | 6–12 |
MS-ESS3-3
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ETS1-2
Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
|
ESS3.C · ETS1.B |
| Event Monitoring | 6–12 |
MS-ESS3-3
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
HS-ESS3-1
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
|
ESS3.C · ESS3.B |
Checkmarks indicate practices that are central to the experiment. All experiments develop data literacy and evidence-based reasoning.
| Experiment | Asking Questions | Using Models | Planning Investigations | Analyzing Data | Math & Computation | Constructing Explanations | Argument from Evidence | Communicating Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time of Day | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ |
| Indoor vs Outdoor | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Distance from Source | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weather Effects | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clean Route Finder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Event Monitoring | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Crosscutting Concepts that connect BackpAQ investigations to broader scientific thinking across disciplines.
| Experiment | Patterns | Cause & Effect | Scale & Proportion | Systems & Models | Energy & Matter | Structure & Function | Stability & Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time of Day | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ | ◐ | ✓ | |
| Indoor vs Outdoor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ◐ |
| Distance from Source | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ |
| Weather Effects | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ |
| Clean Route Finder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ | ◐ |
| Event Monitoring | ◐ | ✓ | ◐ | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ | ✓ |
This investigation uses BackpAQ, a professional-grade mobile air quality sensor, to address NGSS Performance Expectation MS-ESS3-3 (Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment) through authentic, place-based science. Students plan and carry out a real-world investigation, collect GPS-tagged PM2.5, CO2, NOx, and VOC data, analyze results using an AI-assisted dashboard (BackpAQ AIView), and communicate findings through a structured investigation report. The AI Advisor (Claude, Anthropic) provides scientific context and EPA comparisons; students provide their own observations, conclusions, and community recommendations. This investigation integrates Science and Engineering Practices (Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Constructing Explanations, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Obtaining Evaluating and Communicating Information), Disciplinary Core Ideas (ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems), and Crosscutting Concepts (Patterns, Cause and Effect, Systems and System Models, Stability and Change). Full experiment guides and NGSS documentation available at backpaqlabs.com/ngss.html.
Overview of BackpAQ as a curriculum tool, workflow, and contact form.
🔬Full step-by-step guides for all six investigations with AI Advisor prompts.
🌍Published student reports from schools around the world.
🗺️Try the live dashboard — load a sample track and explore the AI Advisor.
📋Search and read the full NGSS performance expectations at nextgenscience.org.
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