Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Grades 9–12 NJSLS-Science: Earth and Space Sciences
ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe
- HS-ESS1-1
- Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation.
- HS-ESS1-2
- Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.
- HS-ESS1-3
- Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.
- HS-ESS1-4
- Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.
- HS-ESS1-5
- Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.
- HS-ESS1-6
- Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth’s formation and early history.
ESS2: Earth’s Systems
- HS-ESS2-1
- Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.
- HS-ESS2-2
- Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.
- HS-ESS2-3
- Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.
- HS-ESS2-4
- Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate. performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.
- HS-ESS2-5
- Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
- HS-ESS2-6
- Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.
- HS-ESS2-7
- Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth’s systems and life on Earth.
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
- HS-ESS3-1
- Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and climate change have influenced human activity. performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.
- HS-ESS3-2
- Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, conserving, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on the associated economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical costs and risks, as well as benefits. performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.
- HS-ESS3-3
- Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity. performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.
- HS-ESS3-4
- Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on climate change and other natural systems. performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.
- HS-ESS3-5
- Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems. performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.
- HS-ESS3-6
- Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity (i.e., climate change). performance expectation directly related to climate, climate change, or the effects of a changing climate on environmental systems.