NGSS Standards Explorer

Search and retrieve NGSS standards by code, domain, or topic.

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What it can do

  • Get Standard: Retrieve a specific NGSS standard by its code identifier (e.g., MS-PS1-1, MS-LS2-3, MS-ESS3-1)
  • Search By Domain: Find all NGSS standards in a specific science domain (Physical Science, Life Science, or Earth and Space Science)
  • Get 3d Components: Extract the three-dimensional learning components (SEP: Science and Engineering Practices, DCI: Disciplinary Core Ideas, CCC: Crosscutting Concepts) for a specific standard (e.g., M

What data it sees

Do you need an account

No: the server works without sign-in

Search and retrieve NGSS standards by code, domain, or topic. Explore three-dimensional components (SEPs, DCIs, and CCCs) and discover related standards by shared practices, concepts, or core ideas. Plan cohesive curriculum units with suggestions for compatible standards.

How to connect

How to connect NGSS Standards Explorer to Claude

The server address to paste into Claude settings:

https://ngss-mcp--sallvainian.run.tools

  1. Open Claude (claude.ai or the desktop app).
  2. Go to Settings → Connectors.
  3. Click Add custom connector.
  4. Paste the server address copied below into Remote MCP server URL and click Add.
  5. In a chat, click + → Connectors and switch the new connector on.

Custom connectors are available on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans (Free is limited to one). On Team and Enterprise an organization Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors.

Authorization

After you click Add, a sign-in window for the service opens. Sign in with your own account and approve access. Claude never sees your password.

How to connect NGSS Standards Explorer to ChatGPT

The server address to paste into ChatGPT settings:

https://ngss-mcp--sallvainian.run.tools

  1. Open ChatGPT in a browser (chatgpt.com). A Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise or Edu plan is required.
  2. Turn on developer mode once: Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → Developer mode.
  3. Open Settings → Connectors and click Create.
  4. Fill in the form: Name (anything), Description (one line about what the service does), MCP server URL (copy it below).
  5. Under Authentication choose OAuth if the service requires sign-in, otherwise None. Click Create.
  6. In a new chat open + → Apps/Connectors and enable the connector.

OpenAI has renamed this section before (Connectors → Apps/Plugins). If the label differs, search settings for "developer mode". On Business/Enterprise workspaces an admin must allow custom connectors first.

Authorization

On first use ChatGPT opens the service's sign-in window. Sign in and approve access.

How to connect NGSS Standards Explorer to Cursor

The server address to paste into Cursor settings:

https://ngss-mcp--sallvainian.run.tools

Fastest: click Open in Cursor below and confirm the prompt.

Manually:

  1. In Cursor open Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP and click Add new global MCP server.
  2. Paste the JSON copied below into ~/.cursor/mcp.json (per project: .cursor/mcp.json in the repo root).
  3. Save the file. The server appears in the MCP list; authorize it there if asked.

Authorization

If the service needs sign-in, an authorize button appears next to the server in the MCP list.

Server tool list (8)

Raw names from tools/list. Only developers need these.

get_standardRetrieve a specific NGSS standard by its code identifier (e.g., MS-PS1-1, MS-LS2-3, MS-ESS3-1)
search_by_domainFind all NGSS standards in a specific science domain (Physical Science, Life Science, or Earth and Space Science)
get_3d_componentsExtract the three-dimensional learning components (SEP: Science and Engineering Practices, DCI: Disciplinary Core Ideas, CCC: Crosscutting Concepts) for a specific standard (e.g., MS-PS1-1, MS-LS2-3, MS-ESS3-1)
search_standardsPerform full-text search across all NGSS standard content including performance expectations, topics, and keywords (e.g., "energy transfer", "ecosystems", "chemical reactions", "climate change")
search_by_practiceFind all NGSS standards using a specific Science and Engineering Practice (SEP). Examples: "Developing and Using Models", "Analyzing and Interpreting Data", "Planning and Carrying Out Investigations"
search_by_crosscutting_conceptFind all NGSS standards using a specific Crosscutting Concept (CCC). Examples: "Patterns", "Cause and Effect", "Systems and System Models", "Energy and Matter"
search_by_disciplinary_core_ideaFind all NGSS standards using a specific Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI). Examples: "Definitions of Energy", "Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems", "Weather and Climate"
get_unit_suggestionsRecommend compatible NGSS standards for curriculum unit planning based on 3D framework overlap (domain, SEP, DCI, CCC). Example: Given anchor "MS-PS3-1" (energy), suggest 2-7 compatible standards that share similar practices, concepts, or disciplinary ideas for a cohesive unit