ABSTRACT
Getting aligned to the standards is an important aspect to plan for as educators. Most schools and districts require lessons to be standards-aligned, whether with the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, ISTE's Standards for Students, or the local state standards. There are many views on whether and how to align with standards and assess students. Some choose to avoid these two aspects, but most schools and districts require some level of alignment and assessment. Many STEAM and maker projects are easily aligned with many of the Next Generation Science Standards and along with many of the Common Core Standards that several states have adopted. Many writing standards can also be aligned with a STEAM unit or activity. Students need to not only be able to complete a STEAM activity, but also be able to communicate what they have done and learned.
