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New Hampshire Grade 6 Science

Explore New Hampshire Grade 6 science with a force-and-mass investigation plan, worked reasoning, middle-school NGSS references and related lessons.

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Standards source: New Hampshire school-approval rules, Ed 306.36.

Plan a motion comparison that changes one variable

Explore New Hampshire Grade 6 science with a force-and-mass investigation plan, worked reasoning, middle-school NGSS references and related lessons.

New Hampshire’s current school-approval rules, Ed 306.36, require local science competencies and curricula aligned with the 2017 Next Generation Science Standards. The selected references here were checked in the original publisher’s Next Generation Science Standards, September 2017 DCI arrangements. Read the complete performance expectations, clarifications, assessment boundaries, practices, core ideas, and crosscutting concepts with the school’s course plan. New Hampshire’s middle-school science expectations use a Grades 6–8 band. The activity here is a suggested study focus; consult the school’s plan for its local grade placement.

Plan a motion comparison that changes one variable

Plan a teacher-supervised straight-line cart comparison to investigate mass. Use the same cart with and without a secured added load. Start it from rest, keep the surface and applied horizontal force as similar as possible, and observe how its motion changes over the same time interval. Explain why changing both load and push would make the result difficult to interpret.

Explain the evidence or model

The intended changed variable is the cart system’s mass. For the same net horizontal force, a greater mass produces a smaller change in velocity over the same interval. A plan should identify how force will be applied and monitored, what position or motion measurements will be recorded, the units, and how many trials will be repeated. Simply telling someone to “push equally hard” does not establish equal forces. Surface friction also contributes to the net force, so it needs attention in the comparison. The selected expectation calls for planning evidence about force, mass, and motion; this proposed mass comparison covers one part and needs a separate force comparison.

What to check in the explanation

A heavier cart given a stronger push could change motion more, less, or similarly, so that trial would not isolate mass. Balanced forces do not necessarily mean an object is stationary; they mean no change in velocity in the described straight-line setting. This is a plan, not a report of collected measurements. The middle-school reference limits assessment to one-dimensional motion and one changed variable at a time.

Plan the next activity

  1. Define the changed variable and the motion measurement.
  2. Specify a realistic way to compare forces and address friction.
  3. Repeat trials and separate actual records from predictions.

Keep the cart mass fixed for a second comparison and vary the net horizontal force instead. Predict the effect qualitatively, then decide which records would test it. Confirm where this Grades 6–8 expectation belongs in the school’s sequence.

Grade 6 Science: Learn, Practice, and Quiz

Read a short lesson, work through its example, and try a related science-area quiz. States organize these ideas differently; use your state standards to choose what matches your class.

Physical Science

Particle Models and States of MatterMatter consists of particles.
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Temperature and Thermal TransferTemperature is related to particle motion.
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Forces and Changes in MotionAn object’s motion depends on the forces acting on it.
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Representing Wave PatternsRepeating waves have characteristic patterns.
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Life Science

Cells and Their StructuresCells are basic units of living things.
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Body Systems Work TogetherMulticellular organisms have interacting systems.
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Interactions in EcosystemsOrganisms interact with living and nonliving parts of their environment.
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Traits and VariationIndividuals can vary in inherited traits.
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Earth & Space

Rock Processes and Geologic EvidenceEarth materials change through processes such as weathering, burial, heating, and cooling.
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The Water Cycle as a SystemWater moves among Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and underground stores.
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Using Weather DataWeather observations include temperature, pressure, wind, and moisture.
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Scientific Thinking

Criteria, Constraints, and Fair TestsA design problem includes criteria for success and constraints such as materials or cost.
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New Hampshire Science by Grade

Browse New Hampshire science pages by grade.

New Hampshire, How science testing works here. NH SAS Science at grades 5, 8, HS. Grade 6 is not tested.

Grade 6 Science Skill Quizzes

Choose a science-area quiz after studying its related lesson. These independent resources may include topics beyond this grade’s expectations; use the 2017 NGSS document and the school’s course plan to select suitable practice.

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Matter and Its Properties

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Forces and Motion

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Energy

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Cells, Structures and Life Processes

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Ecosystems and Heredity

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Middle-school science topic navigator for Grade 6 study

Use these brief labels as a study navigator, not as full standards or a certified alignment map. These ideas draw from the Grades 6–8 band; the school sets its course sequence. Read the complete NGSS science document for official requirements.

Study navigator

PS Physical Sciences

  • Particles, Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
  • Material Properties and Uses
  • Energy Forms, Transfer, and Transformation
  • Chemical and Physical Changes
  • Forces, Motion, and Interactions
  • Gravity and Object Motion
  • Scientific Tools, Measurement, and Data Displays
  • Matter Properties, States, and Classification
  • Light, Sound, and Wave Behavior
  • Integrate Qualitative Scientific Technical Information Claim Digitized Signals

LS Life Sciencs

  • Cells, Body Systems, and Genetics
  • Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
  • Synthesize Information Sensory Receptors Respond Stimuli Sending Messages
  • Ecosystems, Food Webs, and Matter Flow
  • Competing Solutions Maintaining Biodiversity Ecosystem Services Coral Reef
  • Earth Materials, Rocks, Fossils, and Landforms
  • Displays Pictorial Data Patterns Similarities Embryological Development Across

ESS Earth and Space Sciences

  • Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space Systems
  • Earth Materials, Rocks, Fossils, and Landforms
  • Explanation Based Evidence Geoscience Processes Changed Earth'S Surface
  • Data Provide Evidence Motions Complex Interactions Air Masses
  • Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and Atmosphere
  • Natural Resources and Human Impacts
  • Data Natural Hazards Forecast Future Catastrophic Events Inform
  • Scientific Questions, Investigations, and Evidence

ETS Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

  • Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation

New Hampshire Grades 6–8 band references for this investigation

These selected references support the activity’s focus. Read the complete NGSS expectation in the publisher’s document, including clarification statements, assessment boundaries, and supporting dimensions, alongside the school’s course sequence. The MS codes are middle-school requirements, not a separate complete list assigned to this grade.

ReferenceSelected focusPublisher’s document
MS-PS2-2Force and mass investigation planningRead page 51

New Hampshire Grade 6: Math and English Too

Science is part of the New Hampshire grade 6 subject collection. Use the related subject pages to organize cross-subject study.

New Hampshire Grade 6 Math

Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and New Hampshire Grade 6 math resources.

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New Hampshire Grade 6 English

Reading, writing, and language standards for New Hampshire grade 6, organized with selected activities and references.

Open the English center →

New Hampshire Grade 6 Science: useful planning questions

How does Grade 6 connect to New Hampshire’s science assessment?

Grade 6 is not a general NH SAS science assessment grade listed in the reviewed manual. The 2025–2026 public manual identifies science in Grade 5, Grade 8, and the third year of high school. Grade 5 covers Grades 3–5 content and Grade 8 covers Grades 6–8 content. Science learning continues in other grades. Confirm the school’s assigned pathway and current administration directions, including any alternate assessment requirements. The reviewed edition is 2025–2026; confirm later-year directions with the school. Independent practice has its own timing, topics, and scoring and does not predict a state performance level. Read the official guidance.

Why can’t I change the load and push together?

Changing both mass and applied force makes it difficult to attribute the observed motion difference to either one. The planned comparison should change one variable at a time.

Where should I check the complete science requirements?

Read New Hampshire’s school-approval rules, Ed 306.36, and the original publisher’s 2017 NGSS document. Middle-school MS expectations apply across Grades 6–8; confirm the local sequence with the school. Use the full requirements and the school’s plan to choose the rest of the course. Read the official guidance.

State sources checked October 6, 2026. Read the NH SAS students and families portal for later guidance.

Grade 6 Science in Other States

Standards, practice tests, and quizzes for grade 6 science in every state and Washington, D.C.

Choose useful science practice

Match the available task to the unit being taught. Discuss the evidence and explanation alongside classroom work; an independent practice score does not establish complete course coverage or state-assessment readiness.

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A USEFUL NEXT STEP

New Hampshire Grade 6 Science: study questions

How does Grade 6 connect to New Hampshire’s science assessment?

Grade 6 is not a general NH SAS science assessment grade listed in the reviewed manual. The 2025–2026 public manual identifies science in Grade 5, Grade 8, and the third year of high school. Grade 5 covers Grades 3–5 content and Grade 8 covers Grades 6–8 content. Science learning continues in other grades. Confirm the school’s assigned pathway and current administration directions, including any alternate assessment requirements. The reviewed edition is 2025–2026; confirm later-year directions with the school. Independent practice has its own timing, topics, and scoring and does not predict a state performance level.

Official source ↗
Why can’t I change the load and push together?

Changing both mass and applied force makes it difficult to attribute the observed motion difference to either one. The planned comparison should change one variable at a time.

Where should I check the complete science requirements?

Read New Hampshire’s school-approval rules, Ed 306.36, and the original publisher’s 2017 NGSS document. Middle-school MS expectations apply across Grades 6–8; confirm the local sequence with the school. Use the full requirements and the school’s plan to choose the rest of the course.

Official source ↗

Resources from Effortless Math · Editorial standards · Test details checked October 5, 2026