MS-ESS3-4 | Effects of Population Increase

Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.

Clarification statement: Examples of evidence could include grade-appropriate databases on human populations and the rates of consumption of food and natural resources (such as freshwater, mineral, and energy). Examples of impacts could include changes to the appearance, composition, and structure of Earth’s systems as well as the rates at which they change. The consequences of increases in human populations and consumption of natural resources are described by science, but science does not make the decisions for the actions society takes.

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 4Level 3Level 2Level 1

Construct, compare, and critique arguments supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per capita consumption of natural resources cause multiple impacts on Earth’s systems.

Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.

Identify the evidence that supports a given argument that human population and consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.

Identify an argument that describes a relationship between human consumption of a natural resource and the impact on an Earth’s system.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-ESS3-4.

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

Assessment

What assessment of MS-ESS3-4 might look like on a NY state exam.

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

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-ESS3-4 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Construct an oral and written argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support or refute an explanation or a model for a phenomenon or a solution to a problem.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- Typically as human populations and per-capita consumption of natural resources increase, so do the negative impacts on Earth unless the activities and technologies involved are engineered otherwise.

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect
- Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural or designed systems.

Connections to Other Standards

MS-ESS3-4 connections to ELA, math, and other science standards as outlined by the NYS Education Department:

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Human Impacts