MS-ESS1-3 | Scale of the Solar System · NYS standard · Grade 8 test questions
Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on the analysis of data from Earth-based instruments, space-based telescopes, and spacecraft to determine similarities and differences among solar system objects. Examples of scale properties could include the sizes of an object’s layers (such as crust and atmosphere), surface features (such as volcanoes), and orbital radius. Examples of data could include statistical information, drawings and photographs, and models.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies.
Grade 8 Science Test Questions
Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-ESS1-3 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
Vocabulary
Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.
- analyze and interpret data
- asteroid
- atmosphere
- comet
- crust
- data
- Earth-Sun-Moon system
- gravitational pull
- model
- moon
- orbit
- orbital radius
- planet
- relative distance
- relative size
- scale
- scale property
- solar system
- solar system object
- space telescope
- spacecraft
- surface feature
- telescope
- volcano
- celestial object – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
- data table – Spring 2025
- diameter – Spring 2025
- equatorial diameter – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
- galaxy – Spring 2026
- mass – Spring 2025
- mean distance – Spring 2025
- observation – Spring 2025
- satellite – Spring 2026
- scale model – Spring 2025
- space probe – Spring 2026
- universe – Spring 2026
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-ESS1-3 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-ESS1-3.
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NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-ESS1-3 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- Analyze and interpret data to determine similarities and differences in findings.
- ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
- (NYSED) The solar system consists of the Sun and a collection of objects, including planets, their moons, comets, and asteroids that are held in orbit around the Sun by its gravitational pull on them.
- Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
- Time, space, and energy phenomena can be observed at various scales using models to study systems that are too large or too small.