47

Next Generation Science Standards - Performance Expectations

The Next Generation Science 

Standards (NGSS) were developed 

through a collaborative state-led 

process. These K-12 science standards 

are rich in content and practice, 

and arranged in a coherent manner 

across disciplines and grades to 

provide all students an internationally 

benchmarked science education. The 

NGSS is based on the Framework for 

K-12 Science Education developed 

by the National Research Council. 

For More information about NGSS 

and to explore all the standards, go 

to: http://www.nextgenscience.org/. 

For More information about, and to 

read the Framework for K-12 Science 

Education, go to: http://www.nap.edu/

catalog.php?record_id=13165#

These alignments are not intended 

to imply that activities include 

all content needed to satisfy the 

specified NGSS performance 

expectations. Rather, they are 

intended to provide guidance for how 

the activities may supplement other 

materials for fully addressing these 

performance expectations.

MS-PS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device 

 that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer. • 

MS-PS3-4. Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the 

 energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average

 kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample. • 

MS-LS1-5. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how 

 environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms. • • 

MS-LS2-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of

 resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an 

 ecosystem. • • 

MS-LS4-1. Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that 

 document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms 

 throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws 

 operate today as in the past. • 

MS-ESS1-1. Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to 

 describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, 

 and seasons. • 

MS-ESS2-1. Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the 

 flow of energy that drives this process. •

MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex 

 interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions. • • 

MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and 

 rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation 

 that determine regional climates. • • 

MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring 

 and minimizing a human impact on the environment. •

Alignment to the Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations

Next Generation Science Standards Activity Number

Performance Expectation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
48 oceanservice.noaa.gov

Discover Your Changing World with NOAA

Connections to Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science

Climate Literacy: The Essential 

Principles of Climate Science presents 

information that is deemed important 

for individuals and communities to 

know and understand about Earth’s 

climate, impacts of climate change, 

and approaches to adaptation or 

mitigation. It can serve as discussion 

starters, launching points for scientific 

inquiry and promote greater climate 

science literacy by providing an 

educational framework of principles 

and concepts. The Essential Principles 

can also serve educators who teach 

climate science as a way to meet 

content standards in their science 

curricula. 

These connections are not intended 

to imply that activities include all 

content needed to fully address the 

specified Principles. Rather, they are 

intended to provide guidance for 

how the activities may supplement 

other materials for climate science 

education. For more information 

and to download a copy of Climate 

Literacy: The Essential Principles of 

Climate Science, go to: http://www.

globalchange.gov/resources/educators/

climate-literacy

Climate Literacy Essential Principles Activity Number

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1. The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system. •

 

2. Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components 

 of the Earth system. • • • • • •

3. Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate. • • • • •

4. Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made 

 processes. • • • • •

5. Our understanding of the climate system is improved through 

 observations, theoretical studies, and modeling. • • 

6. Human activities are impacting the climate system. • • • • • • •

7. Climate change will have consequences for the Earth system and 

 human lives. • • • •
49

Connections to Energy Literacy: Essential Principles & Fundamental Concepts for Energy Education

Connections to Energy Literacy: 

Essential Principles & Fundamental Concepts for Energy Education

Energy Literacy: Essential Principles 

and Fundamental Concepts for Energy 

Education does not seek to identify 

all areas of energy understanding, 

but rather to focus on those that 

are essential for all citizens. Energy 

concepts are presented that, if 

understood and applied, will help 

individuals and communities 

make informed energy decisions. 

The Energy Literacy Principles are 

intended for anyone involved in 

energy education, and used in formal 

educational environments, provides 

direction without adding new 

concepts to the educator’s curriculum. 

These connections are not intended 

to imply that activities include all 

content needed to fully address the 

specified Principles and Concepts. 

Rather, they are intended to provide 

guidance for how the activities 

may supplement other materials 

for energy education. For more 

information and to download a copy 

of Energy Literacy: Essential Principles 

and Fundamental Concepts for 

Energy Education, go to: http://library.

globalchange.gov/products/other/

energy-literacy-essential-principlesfundamental-concepts-for-energyeducation-high-resolution-booklet

Energy Literacy Essential Principles and Activity Number

Fundamental Concepts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2. Physical processes on Earth are the result of energy flow through the 

 Earth system. 

2.3 Earth’s weather and climate are mostly driven by energy from the Sun. • 

2.4 Water plays a major role in the storage and transfer of energy in the

 Earth system. • 

2.6 Greenhouse gases affect energy flow through the Earth system. • • •

2.7 The effects of changes in Earth’s energy system are often not 

 immediately apparent. • 

3. Biological processes depend on energy flow through the Earth system. 

3.1 The Sun is the major source of energy for organisms and the ecosystems 

 of which they are a part. •

3.6 Humans are part of Earth’s ecosystems and influence energy flow 

 through these systems. • 

4. Various sources of energy can be used to power human activities, and 

often this energy must be transferred from source to destination. 

4.1 Humans transfer and transform energy from the environment into 

 forms useful for human endeavors. •

4.3 Fossil and biofuels are organic matter that contain energy captured

 from sunlight. • 

6. The amount of energy used by human society depends on many factors. 

6.2 One way to manage energy resources is through conservation. •

7. The quality of life of individuals and societies is affected by energy choices. 

7.3 Environmental quality is impacted by energy choices. • • • •