S.ESS.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 in relation to:  

• atomic structure

• periodic table

• energy transfer

• fusion vs fission

• structure of the sun

NGSS Crosswalk: 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. 

S.ESS.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.  

• expansion of the universe

• frequency & wavelength

• origin theories of the universe

• blue shift/ red shift

• Hubble constant

• dark matter/dark energy

• cosmic background radiation

• EM spectrum

• properties of light.

NGSS Crosswalk : 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. 

S.ESS.3

Use at least two different formats (e.g., oral, graphical, textual, mathematical) to communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.

• HR diagram

• life cycle of stars

• atomic theory

• periodic table

• fusion vs fission

• nucleosynthesis.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS1-3

Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.

S.ESS.4

Use mathematical or computational representations (modeling) to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.  

• introduce velocity and acceleration

• modeling Kepler’s Laws

• Newtonian Gravity.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS1-4

Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.

S.ESS.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. 

• Hypothesis of Continental Drift

• o fossil evidence

• seafloor spreading

• slab-push/plate pull

• subduction

• magnetic field reversal

• oceanic vs continental crust.

NGSS Crosswalk: 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.

S.ESS.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.  

• xenoliths

• radiometric dating

• relative dating

• cratering

• moon origin theories.

NGSS Crosswalk: 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.

S.ESS.7

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 through a process of constructive and destructive forces.

• constructive forces

• volcanic activity

• tectonic forces

• mineral formation

• rock formation

• destructive forces

• subduction

• convection

• coastal erosion

• weathering

• mass wasting.

NGSS Crosswalk: 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.

S.ESS.8

Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.

• map and GIS data interpretation

examples could include:

• coastal erosion

• greenhouse gasses

• global temperatures

• rising ocean levels

• loss of wetlands

• acid rain

• injection wells/earthquakes

• loss of ground vegetation/erosion.

NGSS Crosswalk: 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.

S.ESS.9

Develop a model based on seismic and magnetic evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection and the resulting plate tectonics.

• layers of the Earth

• density

• heat transfer

• temperature gradients

• radioactive decay

• differentiation

• Earth’s formation

• chemical composition

• seismic waves.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS2-3

Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.

S.ESS.10

Plan and conduct investigations of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.

• water cycle

• mechanical & chemical weathering

• chemical reactions

• solutions

• pH scale.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS2-5

Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.

S.ESS.11

Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. 

• biogeochemical cycles

• carbon cycle

• carbon reservoirs

• carbon budget.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS2-6

Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

S.ESS.12

Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth systems and life on Earth.  

• Earth’s history

• evolution of earth’s atmosphere

• soil development

• requirements for life and how they change with changing earth conditions.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS2-7

Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth’s systems and life on Earth.

S.ESS.15

Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.  

Examples include:

• access to fresh water-surface and groundwater

• fertile soils-river deltas

• fossil fuels and mining

• natural disasters

• severe weather

• rising sea level

• mass migrations.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS3-1

Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

S.ESS.16

Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios. *  

• conservation, reuse, recycling

• soil conservation

• mining and drilling

• rare earth mineral mining for technology products.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS3-2

Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.

S.ESS.17

Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.  

• cost of resource extraction

• waste management

• consumption

• new technology development.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS3-3

Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among the management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.

S.ESS.18

Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems. *  

data examples include:

• point and nonpoint pollution 

• changes in biodiversity

• land use via aerial or satellite imaging 

deducing impact examples include:

• local efforts in recycling

• watershed or stream monitoring

• geoengineering design solutions.

NGSS Crosswalk: HS-ESS3-4

Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.

S.ESS.19

Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity. *  

• hydrosphere

• atmosphere

• cryosphere

• geosphere

• biosphere

• connection between carbon dioxide concentrations and photosynthetic biomass

• ocean acidification

• increasing ocean temperatures.

NGSS Crosswalk: 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.

S.ESS.20

Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.  In reference to:  

• natural disasters

• lack of water

• resources

• climate change. 

NGSS Crosswalk:

Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.  

S.ESS.21

Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.  In reference to:  

• tsunamis

• earthquakes

• volcanic eruptions

• flooding

• coastal erosion

• water quality.

NGSS Crosswalk:

Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.  

S.ESS.22

Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts in reference to:

• tsunamis

• earthquakes

• volcanic eruptions

• flooding

• coastal erosion

• water quality.

NGSS Crosswalk: 

Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts. 

S.ESS.23

Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem in reference to:

• GIS

• disaster simulations.

NGSS Crosswalk: 

Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.