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Title

ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe

Core Idea

ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe

ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth

Content aligned with middle school ESS1

Content aligned with high school ESS1

 

In middle school, students develop an understanding of the disciplinary core ideas in the Earth and space science domain. The middle school performance expectations build on the elementary performance expectations, as well as on students’ understanding of life and physical science phenomena. In ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe, performance expectations are designed for students to create an understanding of the earth’s place in the universe and of how the motion of the earth in the solar system effects Earth’s systems. Students should consider systems at different scales and understand how cyclical patterns cause tides, seasons, and eclipses. It is also important for students to understand how data supports a scientific understanding of the universe and how technology has contributed to data collection.

 

In high school, students continue to develop and refine their understanding of the disciplinary core ideas in the Earth and space science domain. The high school performance expectations are meant to expand on the middle school performance expectations. The high school performance expectations cover fundamental concepts of Earth and space science, while leaving room for more expanded and in-depth study in upper level high school courses. As in middle school, Earth and space sciences concepts are also important for understanding life and physical science phenomena. Performance expectations in high school ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe call on students to understand the nature of the universe and the earth’s place in it. Students should generate an understanding of key concepts including the Big Bang theory and the theory of plate tectonics.

 

 

Exploring Our Fluid Earth, a product of the Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG), College of Education. University of Hawaii, 2011. This document may be freely reproduced and distributed for non-profit educational purposes.