HS-ESS2-6

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

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on modeling biogeochemical cycles that include the cycling of carbon through the ocean, atmosphere, soil, and biosphere (including humans), providing the foundation for living organisms.

Note: this is a performance expectation for both HS Earth & Space Science and HS Biology. For biology, the focus is on "the biochemistry aspects of carbon cycling". For Earth & Space Science, the focus is on "physical and chemical aspects of the geochemical cycling of carbon" (as per the NYSED high school course maps).

Performance Level Descriptions

PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of five levels.

Level 5Level 4Level 3Level 2Level 1

Develop and analyze data from a quantitative model of the carbon cycle to predict how a change in carbon levels in one system will affect other Earth systems.

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

Use/complete a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon between two Earth spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere).

Use a quantitative/qualitative model to identify the cycling of carbon between two Earth spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere).

Use a quantitative/qualitative model that shows the cycling of carbon between two Earth spheres to identify the relative concentrations of carbon present in each sphere.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-ESS2-6.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

Assessment

What assessment of HS-ESS2-6 might look like on a NY state exam.

• Theia and the Moon Q6

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-ESS2-6 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Developing and using models: Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• Weather and climate: Gradual atmospheric changes were due to plants and other organisms that captured carbon dioxide and released oxygen.
• Weather and climate: Changes in the atmosphere due to human activity have increased carbon dioxide concentrations and thus affect climate.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Energy and matter: The total amount of energy and matter in closed systems is conserved.

Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard

Earth and Space Science and Biology | HS. Earth's Systems