Which statement is NOT a component of the eight NGSS scientific practices?

• A. Memorizing facts
• B. Asking questions
• C. Developing and using models
• D. Analyzing and interpreting data

Answer: (A)

NGSS scientific practices describe the actions scientists and engineers take to investigate, reason, and communicate about the world, not just what they know. Memorizing facts isn’t a practice because it focuses on recalling information rather than engaging in inquiry, modeling, data analysis, or argument from evidence. The other statements align with how science is actually done: asking questions anchors inquiry; developing and using models helps represent ideas and test predictions; analyzing and interpreting data involves making sense of observations and drawing conclusions from evidence. In science, progress comes from actively investigating, modeling, and evaluating data, not simply remembering information.