What is a Performance Task?
ATLAS can help you find and use performance tasks. Performance tasks are specific types of learning and assessment materials. Read on to learn more about them, or choose a different learning resource from the menu above.
About ATLAS Tasks
Performance tasks ask students to "do science" by figuring out a real problem or phenomenon, similar to scientists and engineers. As students apply science practices and content knowledge to this challenge, you get a clear window into what they truly know and can do. This process simultaneously deepens student learning as they practice their skills, blurring the line between instruction and assessment.
ATLAS offers a wide selection of NGSS performance tasks from developers nationwide. Our tasks:
- Are Designed for the NGSS: Every task requires students to apply science ideas and practices to a phenomenon or problem. We have tasks covering all grade levels and dimensions.
- Surface Original Student Work: Tasks generate artifacts (like models, explanations, or analyses) that make student thinking visible, providing clear evidence of progress.
- Are Developed with Teachers: Most tasks were co-designed with classroom teachers to ensure they are practical and effective.
- Are Adaptable: We provide most tasks as editable Google Docs, making it easy for you to modify them for your students.
Why Use a Performance Task?
The NGSS calls for students to learn science by doing science, and performance tasks are designed for exactly that. Using them in your classroom means you are:
- Making Learning Authentic: Students tackle challenges that mirror the work of real scientists and engineers.
- Showing Why Science Matters: Tasks connect science to real-world situations, helping students make personal connections and answer, “Why should I care?”
- Integrating the Three Dimensions: Students use science practices, content (DCIs), and crosscutting concepts together to make sense of phenomena.
- Revealing Student Thinking: You get clear, trustworthy evidence of what students understand and can do, which helps you plan next steps.
- Developing Key Skills: Tasks naturally build essential skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Performance Tasks DO:
- Ask students to figure out phenomena or solve real-world problems.
- Require students to create original work (like models, arguments, or explanations).
- Blend instruction and assessment together.
- Integrate multiple science ideas and practices.
- Come in many different formats.
- Invite all students to show their unique thinking.
Performance Tasks DON'T:
- Focus on rote memorization or isolated skills.
- Assume students must learn facts before they can do science.
- Always look like a traditional lab experiment or project.
- Mask student understanding behind heavy vocabulary.
- Only engage one level of student performance.