The Stoughton Area School District's elementary science curriculum uses the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) at the K-5 level. NGSS strives to develop students abilities to do and understand scientific inquiry through:

• Asking questions and identifying problems
• Planning and conducting investigations
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Developing and using models
• Using mathematics, information and computer technology and computational thinking
• Constructing explanations and designing solutions
• Engaging in argument from evidence
• Obtaining, evaluating and communication information

In 1st Grade, the science standards are broken down into three topics taught over the course of the academic year. These topics are characterized by the study of patterns of light, sound, and organism structure. These three topics are:

1. Structures and behaviors in organisms
2. Light, sounds, space and communication
3. Light and solar patterns