Geekster

Geekster Learning Advisory

Understanding New York's New Science Regents Exams (2026 and Beyond)

Dear Families, Students, and Educators,

Science education in New York is changing, and these changes are designed to better prepare students for college, careers, and the increasingly complex world around them.

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, New York State is transitioning to the New York State P–12 Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS).

As part of this transition, students will encounter new Regents examinations, including:

Regents Examination in Earth and Space Sciences

Regents Examination in Life Science: Biology

These assessments replace the previous Earth Science and Living Environment Regents Exams.

What Is Different?
The biggest shift is that science is no longer focused primarily on memorizing facts and definitions.

Instead, students are expected to think and work like scientists.

This means students must:
Analyze data
Interpret graphs and tables
Evaluate evidence
Build scientific explanations
Defend conclusions using evidence
Apply knowledge to real-world situations

Rather than asking, "What fact did you memorize?" many questions now ask:
"What does the evidence show?" or “How can you explain this phenomenon using science?"

Skills Students Should Practice
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Students should be comfortable reading:
Graphs
Charts
Tables
Scientific datasets

They should practice identifying trends, patterns, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

Scientific Argumentation
Students must support their answers using evidence.

A useful framework is:
Claim → Evidence → Reasoning (CER)

Students should learn to answer:
What is your claim?
What evidence supports it?
Why does that evidence matter?

Modeling & Prediction
Science often involves creating models to explain observations and predict outcomes.

Students should practice:
Interpreting diagrams
Understanding systems
Making predictions based on patterns and evidence
Critical Evaluation

Students should learn to question information and evaluate whether conclusions are supported by evidence.

Ask questions such as:
Is this claim supported by data?
Are there alternative explanations?
What evidence is missing?
Scientific Literacy
Strong readers generally perform better on modern science assessments.

Students should regularly engage with:
Science articles
News reports
Scientific investigations
Informational texts

How Families Can Help:
You do not need to be a science expert to support your child.

Instead of asking:
❌ "Did you finish your science homework?"

Try asking:
✅ "What evidence supports your answer?"
✅ "How did you reach that conclusion?"
✅ "What pattern did you notice?"
✅ "Can you explain that model to me?"

These conversations help develop the critical thinking skills emphasized on the new Regents exams.

Geekster's Perspective:
At Geekster, we believe science education should move beyond memorization and toward curiosity, investigation, and problem-solving.

The skills emphasized in the new standards are not only important for science classrooms—they are essential life skills.

Students who learn to analyze evidence, think critically, communicate effectively, and solve complex problems are better prepared for success in college, careers, and citizenship.

The goal is not simply to teach students what to think.
The goal is to teach them how to think.

Geekster Learning Lab™
Supporting Students, Families, and Educators Through Meaningful Learning Experiences

"Science is not a collection of facts. It is a way of asking questions about the world.

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