HS-ESS1-7

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Construct an explanation using evidence to support the claim that the phases of the moon, eclipses, tides and seasons change cyclically.

Clarification statement: Emphasis of the explanation should include how the relative positions of the moon in its orbit, Earth, and the Sun cause different phases, types of eclipses or strength of tides. Examples of evidence could include various representations of relative positions of the Sun, Earth and moon.

Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include mathematical computations to support explanations but rather relies on conceptual modeling using diagrams to show how celestial bodies interact to create these cyclical changes.

Note: this is a NYSED-specific performance expectation that is different from the Next Generation Science Standards.

Regents Exam Questions

Released New York State Regents exam questions that assess HS-ESS1-7 are listed here by exam and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
August 2026 Earth and Space Sciences Regents	Cyclic Patterns	Question 1
	Cyclic Patterns	Question 2
	Full Supermoon Events in 2024	Question 38
	Full Supermoon Events in 2024	Question 39
June 2026 Earth and Space Sciences Regents	Stars and Stellar Evolution	Question 6
	Planetary Transits	Question 42
January 2026 Earth and Space Sciences Regents	The Moons of Pluto	Question 21
	The Moons of Pluto	Question 22
August 2025 Earth and Space Sciences Regents	Earth-Moon History	Question 31
	Earth-Moon History	Question 33
June 2025 Earth and Space Sciences Regents	Our Sun – A Star	Question 5
Earth and Space Sciences sample clusters (Spring 2024)	The Effect of The Moon on Earth	Question 1
	The Effect of The Moon on Earth	Question 2
	The Effect of The Moon on Earth	Question 4
	The Effect of The Moon on Earth	Question 6

Vocabulary

Terms from the Earth & Space Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it.

From this standard

• celestial bodies
• celestial events
• conceptual modeling
• cyclical changes
• Earth
• eclipse
• model
• moon
• peer review
• phases of the moon
• relative motion
• relative positions
• seasons
• solar system
• strength of tides
• tides
• types of eclipses

From released exam questions

• angular diameter – Aug 2026
• annular solar eclipse – Sample 2024
• aphelion – Aug 2025
• apogee – Aug 2025
• apparent size – Aug 2026, Aug 2025
• axis of rotation – Jan 2026
• constellation – June 2026
• crescent phase – June 2025
• Earth’s orbit – June 2025
• Earth’s rotation – Aug 2025, Sample 2024
• Earth’s surface – Aug 2025, Sample 2024
• eccentricity – June 2026
• ecliptic – June 2026
• first quarter moon – Sample 2024
• full moon – Aug 2026, Sample 2024
• gravitational force – Aug 2026, Sample 2024
• high tide – Aug 2026, Aug 2025, Sample 2024
• inlet – Aug 2026
• last quarter moon – Sample 2024
• low tide – Aug 2026, Sample 2024
• motion – June 2026
• neap tide – Aug 2026
• new moon – Aug 2026, Sample 2024
• Northern Hemisphere – June 2026
• ocean – Aug 2026, Sample 2024
• orbital period – Jan 2026
• perigee – Aug 2026, Aug 2025
• perihelion – Aug 2025
• phases of Venus – June 2025
• planets – June 2026
• rotational period – Jan 2026
• sea level – Aug 2026
• solar eclipse – Sample 2024
• spring tide – Aug 2026
• supermoon – Aug 2026
• tidal bulge – Aug 2025
• tidal friction – Aug 2025
• total solar eclipse – Aug 2025, Sample 2024
• transit – June 2026
• waning crescent moon – Sample 2024
• waning gibbous moon – Sample 2024
• waxing crescent moon – Sample 2024
• waxing gibbous moon – Sample 2024
• zodiac constellations – June 2026

Implied by this standard

• lunar eclipse – implied by "types of eclipses"
• tidal range – implied by "strength of tides"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Regents exam question on HS-ESS1-7 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Identify the evidence that supports the claim that the phases of the Moon or eclipses or tides or seasons change cyclically or that celestial events are the result of the relative motion and the perspective of an observer. August 2026 Question 39, June 2026 Question 6, January 2026 Question 21, June 2025 Question 4, June 2025 Question 6

Level 2: Identify an evidence-based explanation, from those provided, that supports the claim that the phases of the Moon or eclipses or tides or seasons change cyclically or that celestial events are the result of the relative motion and the perspective of an observer. August 2026 Question 1, August 2026 Question 2, June 2026 Question 42, August 2025 Question 31, June 2025 Question 2

Level 3: Construct an explanation using evidence to support the claim that the phases of the Moon or eclipses or tides or seasons change cyclically or that celestial events are the result of the relative motion and/or perspective of an observer. August 2026 Question 38, January 2026 Question 22, August 2025 Question 33, June 2025 Question 1, June 2025 Question 5

Level 4: Construct an explanation using evidence to support the claim that the phases of the Moon, eclipses, tides, and seasons change cyclically.

Level 5: Apply scientific ideas, principles, and evidence to support the claim that the phases of the Moon, eclipses, tides, and seasons change cyclically and that celestial events are the result of the relative motion and perspective of an observer.

Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-ESS1-7.

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

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-ESS1-7 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Constructing explanations and designing solutions: Construct an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• Earth and the solar system: Earth and celestial phenomena can be described by principles of relative motion and perspective.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Patterns: Different patterns may be observed at each of the scales at which a system is studied and can provide evidence for causality in explanations of phenomena.

Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard

Earth and Space Science | HS. Space Systems