HS-ETS1-2
Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
Note: this is a performance expectation for four classes: Earth and Space Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Assessment
What assessment of HS-ETS1-2 might look like on a NY state exam.
Chemistry
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | The Great American Solar Eclipse | Question 12 |
| June 2026 | Urban Heat Islands | Question 22 |
| Indoor Air Pollution | Question 46 |
Physics
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Motorcycle Helmets | Question 15 |
Biology
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | Invasive Mussels | Question 39 |
| January 2026 | Two Kinds of Twins | Question 5 |
| Honeybee Behavior and Threats | Question 28 | |
| June 2025 | Nature or Nurture? | Question 48 |
Earth & Space Science
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | Human Impact on Earth | Question 45 |
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.
Vocabulary
Terms that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it, listed by subject. Chemistry terms are from the Chemistry Glossary; Biology terms are from the Biology Glossary; Earth & Space Science terms are from the Earth & Space Science Glossary.
Chemistry
- constraint
- criteria
- design solution
- evidence
- optimize
- trade-off
- alpha particle – June 2026
- energy – June 2026
- evaporation – June 2026
- gas – June 2026
- liquid – June 2026
- radioactive – June 2026
- solid – June 2026
- sublimation – June 2026
- temperature – June 2026
- transmittance – Aug 2026
- visible light – Aug 2026
- volatile organic compound (VOC) – June 2026
- volatility – June 2026
- wavelength – Aug 2026
Physics
Physics terms for this standard have not been added yet.
Biology
- constraint
- criteria
- design solution
- trade-off
- amino acid sequence – Jan 2026
- aquatic – Aug 2026
- behavior – Jan 2026
- body cell – June 2025
- cell – June 2025
- compound – Aug 2026
- diabetes – Jan 2026
- DNA – Jan 2026, June 2025
- ecosystem – Aug 2026
- enzyme – Jan 2026
- gene – Jan 2026, June 2025
- gene expression – Jan 2026
- gene therapy – June 2025
- genetic technology – Jan 2026
- larva – Aug 2026
- mitosis – June 2025
- predator – Jan 2026
- protein – Jan 2026
- resources – Jan 2026
- social insect – Jan 2026
- splicing – Jan 2026
- survival – Aug 2026
- tumor – June 2025
- waggle dance – Jan 2026
Earth & Space Science
- complex real-world problem
- constraints
- criteria
- design solution
- Earth
- prioritized criteria
- sub-problems
- trade-offs
- biomass – June 2025
- climate change – June 2025
- mining – June 2025
- natural gas – June 2025
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-ETS1-2.
This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation HS-ETS1-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Design a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations
- EST1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
- Criteria may need to be broken down into simpler ones that can be approached systematically, and decisions about the priority of certain criteria over others (trade-offs) may be needed.
- N/A