HS-ETS1-2 | Breaking Down Complex Problems · NYS standard · Regents questions
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.
Regents Exam Questions
Released New York State Regents exam questions that assess HS-ETS1-2 are listed here by exam and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
Chemistry
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 Chemistry Regents | The Great American Solar Eclipse | Question 12 |
| June 2026 Chemistry Regents | Urban Heat Islands | Question 22 |
| Indoor Air Pollution | Question 46 |
Physics
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 Physics Regents | Motorcycle Helmets | Question 15 |
Biology
Earth & Space Science
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| June 2025 Earth and Space Sciences Regents | Human Impact on Earth | Question 45 |
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; Physics terms are from the Physics 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
- complex real-world problem
- constraints
- criteria
- design solution
- engineering
- evidence
- prioritized criteria
- solution
- sub-problems
- trade-offs
- engineering design solution – June 2026
- force – June 2026
- impact – June 2026
- impact force – June 2026
- safety equipment – June 2026
- speed – June 2026
- time interval – June 2026
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
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Regents exam question on HS-ETS1-2 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 HS-ETS1-2.
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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