MS-PS3-6 | Electric Circuits

From NY Science Standards Wiki
Revision as of 22:36, 20 September 2026 by Conradrichman (talk | contribs) (Reorder sections: Assessment, then Performance Level Descriptions, then Resources)

Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred by electric currents.

Clarification statement: Emphasis should be on arrangements of circuit components in series and parallel circuits.

Assessment boundary: Assessment will be limited to qualitative analysis and reasoning.

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

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-PS3-6 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

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


Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-PS3-6 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Using evidence, identify the observation, from those given, that indicates that energy can be transferred by electric currents.
Level 2: Given observations, provide evidence that energy can be transferred by electric currents.
Level 3: Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred by electric currents.
Level 4: Make qualitative and quantitative observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred by electric currents and predict how a change in circuit components would change the data.


Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-PS3-6.

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


NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-PS3-6 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices
  • Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
    • Collect data to produce data to serve as the bases for evidence to answer scientific questions or test design solutions under a range of conditions.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
  • PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
    • (NYSED) An electric circuit is a closed path in which an electric current can exist.
Crosscutting Concepts
  • Energy and Matter
    • The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a designed or natural system.
Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Shirley Shameen
MS | MS. Energy