Fourth Grade Science Station Units for NGSS

What do fourth graders need know in science? What science topics should you teach in fourth grade?

As an elementary teacher that follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), these fourth-grade science units help me easily set up science learning centers in the elementary classroom.

These science centers cover ALL of the NGSS science topics for fourth grade and include engaging hands-on activities for each standard. They also include digital components for Google Classroom!

Fourth Grade Science Stations – Your Questions Answered

Before I link up to all of our 4th grade NGSS science units, let me answer a few quick questions that you might have about them. If you have a question that I haven’t answered below, let me know in the comment section at the end of the page.

What are the Next Generation Science Standards?

The Next Generation Science Standards are multi-dimensional. They include Performance Expectations, Disciplinary Core Ideas, Cross-Cutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices

There is a lot of interwoven content, concepts, and science practices in each and every NGSS science standard.

Find out more about how to read the NGSS and which parts of each standard we used when designing the Fourth Grade Science Science Stations.

What If I Teach in Texas using the TEKS?

You’re in luck!

We have an alignment between the NGSS and TEKS that shows which standards in the NGSS match which standards in the TEKS. All of our Science Stations are linked in the alignment so you can easily find them.

Why are there so many Science Stations?

We originally created 11 Science Station Units for fourth grade with 8 stations per unit. Many teachers were only using parts of each of the units, so we broke them down into individual science stations. The individual science stations are only available on TpT. The UNITS and YEARLONG BUNDLE are available on my website.

Here is how they are broken out:

• INDIVIDUAL Science Station
• UNIT Bundle by NGSS Standard (8 Stations in each UNIT)
• DOMAIN Bundle (Physical Science, Life Science, Earth Science)
• YEARLONG Bundle

While you can purchase each science station individually, you save more money by purchasing the science UNITS or a larger BUNDLE.

What are the Eight Different Science Stations?

Each science station UNIT BUNDLE or topic has these 8 INDIVIDUAL stations.

• WATCH a Video – Students watch one of two videos about the topic and answer questions about the video.
• PLAY a Game – Students play one of two video games about the topic and answer question about the video game. They can also play a board game or do a word search or crossword puzzle
• INVESTIGATE – Student investigate the topic with a hands-on activity. Included is a reading passage and differentiated questions.
• DIAGRAM– Student diagram the topic with a hands-on activity. Included is a reading passage and differentiated questions.
• READ – Student read about the topic. Included is a reading passage and differentiated questions.
• MODEL – Student model the topic with a hands-on activity. Included is a reading passage and differentiated questions.
• EXPLORE – Student explore the topic with a hands-on activity. Included is a reading passage and differentiated questions.
• SORT – Student do a sort about the topic. Included is a reading passage and differentiated questions.

Also included in each UNIT BUNDLE are vocabulary cards and checklists. In addition, each science station that includes a reading passage also has an audio version of the reading passage. Students who struggle with reading can listen to the reading passage.

How do I use the Science Stations in my Classroom?

Great question! There are many ways to use the science stations. Some teachers use them in small groups or as science centers. Other teachers use them one-at-a-time in a whole group format. Since COVID, many teachers are using them in a distance learning environment with Google Classroom.

There really is no one-way or right answer to this question. It depends on how your classroom is set up and how much time you have for science instruction each week.

Click the image below for more information on how I set up my science stations.

Are there Digital Science Stations?

Yes! All of our science stations come with digital versions with Google Slides and Forms. Students can do many of these activities online or respond to the hands-on activities in Google Classroom. The Google Classroom components vary a little from station to station.

► Google Forms™️ with Reading Passages, Differentiated Questions, and Links to the Videos are available for all stations

► Google Slides™️ with Activity Directions & Worksheets to record results are available for the Investigate, Diagram, Model, Explore, and Sort stations

Please note that while we have included digital versions for online science learning, many of the core activities are hands-on and require additional materials and resources.

Click the image below for an explanation of how some of our science stations have been adapted for Google Classroom.

Fourth Grade Science Station UNIT BUNDLES

There are 11 Fourth Grade Science Station UNIT BUNDLES. Directly below are links to purchase each unit. Keep scrolling to find more links and in-depth details and photographs about each UNIT BUNDLE.

What Science Topics are Taught in Fourth Grade?

Below are the Fourth Grade Science Stations UNITS or TOPICS that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. They are organized by UNIT BUNDLE and include links to more photographs and in-depth descriptions of some station.

Physical Science Stations for Fourth Grade

The physical science resources for fourth grade focus on states of energy, light, waves, and more.

Energy, Energy, Everywhere – 4.PS3.A-D & ETS1.A

The Energy Science Stations for Fourth Grade focuses on energy transfer and conservation of energy in moving and colliding objects, light energy, and the transfer of energy from electrical to other types of energy.  

Here are details about the Forms of Energy SORT for fourth grade.

Making Waves – Wave Properties – 4-PS4.A

In the Making Waves Science Station Unit students play games, watch videos and explore the the properties of waves. Students read about concepts such as sound waves, phones, different types of waves, ocean waves, vibrations, transverse and longitudinal waves.

Light It Up – Images & Vision – NGSS 4-PS4.B

In the Light Science Station Unit students play games, watch videos and explore the the properties of light. Students read about concepts such as light absorption, reflection and refraction, convex and concave mirrors and lenses and telescopes, how light moves through water, visible light and vision, transmission of light through kaleidoscopes, primary colors of light and primary colors of pigment, and transparent, translucent and opaque objects.

Here is the Properties of Light Sort for Fourth Grade:

Talk to Me – Exploring Communication through Codes & Technology NGSS 4-PS4.C

In the Talk to Me Science Station Unit students play games, watch videos and explore the the technology, codes and communication. Students read about concepts such as computer coding, cell phones, satellites, Morse code, binary numbers, drum code messages, digital and analog technology and sending and receiving codes.

Here is the Analog vs. Digital Sort for Fourth Grade:

Life Science Stations for Fourth Grade

The life science resources for fourth grade focus on the the structure and function of humans and animals and how humans process the world around through our bodies.

Structure & Function – How Organisms Live, Behave, Reproduce & Grow NGSS 4-LS1.A

This Structure and Function Science Station Unit is about the internal and external structures and functions of plants and animals that support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. It includes 8 different science stations where students deepen their understanding of the structure and function of plants and animals.

Here are details about the SORT science station for Structure and Function. In this station, students determine whether the card shows a plant, fungus, algae, or lichen.

Information Processing: Making Sense of the World NGSS 4-LS1.D

In this Information Processing Unit students learn about the sensory systems, including anatomy (structures and parts) and physiology (how the parts function).

Here are details about the Types of Nerve Cells Sort for fourth grade.

Earth Science Stations for Fourth Grade

The earth science resources for fourth grade focus on the history of the earth, plate tectonics, weathering and erosion, natural resources, and natural hazards.

The Changing Earth – History of Planet Earth – NGSS 4.ESS1.C

In the Changing Earth Unit students deepen their understanding of how the earth changes over time. The focus is on NGSS 4-ESS1.C and concepts include earthquakes, mountains, fossils, layers of sedimentary rock, weathering, rock cycle, types of rocks, geologists, fossilization, and erosion.

Here are details about the Forces of Erosion SORT for fourth grade.

Weathering & Erosion – Earth Materials & Systems, Biogeology – NGSS 4-ESS2.A & 4.ESS2.E

This Weathering and Erosion Unit has 12 different science stations where students deepen their understanding of how the weathering and erosion change the Earth’s surface.

Here are details about the Forces of Weathering SORT for fourth grade.

Plate Tectonics, Mountain Formation, Continental Drift – 4.ESS2.B

This Plate Tectonics Unit students are able to explain the cause of volcanoes, earthquakes and other large-scale geologic interactions and land formations.

Here are details about the Plate Boundaries Sort for fourth grade.

Natural Resources – Fuel for the Future – 4.ESS3.A

This Natural Resources is about renewable and nonrenewable energy. Concepts include different sources of energy, fossil fuels, alternative sources of energy, saving energy, wind power, renewable and nonrenewable energy, solar energy, and hydropower.

Here is a sort about Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources for fourth grade.

Natural Hazards – Wild Weather & Shifting Plates – 4-ESS3.B

This Natural Hazards Unit is about the natural forces behind natural disasters that influence communities and individuals. Natural disasters include earthquakes, ocean waves and currents, volcanoes, plate tectonics, tsunamis, winter storms, thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

Here are details about the Solutions to Natural Disasters SORT for fourth grade.

Where can I get the Fourth Grade Science Stations?

The NGSS Fourth Grade Science Stations can be purchased on my website or on Teachers Pay Teachers.