MS-ESS3-1 | Distribution of Earth's Resources

Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geologic processes.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on how these resources are limited and typically non-renewable, and how their distributions are significantly changing as a result of removal by humans. Examples of uneven distributions of resources as a result of past processes could include petroleum (locations of the burial of organic marine sediments and subsequent geologic traps), metal ores (locations of past volcanic and hydrothermal activity associated with subduction zones), and soil (locations of active weathering and/or deposition of rock).

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-ESS3-1 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Given evidence, identify the explanation, from those provided, that supports how one past or current geologic process has contributed to the uneven distribution of Earth’s resources.

Level 2: Given a scientific explanation, identify the evidence that shows how past or current geologic processes have contributed to the uneven distribution of Earth’s resources.

Level 3: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geologic processes.

Level 4: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are caused by past and current geologic processes and how the sustainability of these resources has impacted society.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-ESS3-1.

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Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-ESS3-1 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Reservoirs and Town Water Districts Q18

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-ESS3-1 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 a scientific explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students’ own experiments) 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

ESS3.A: Natural Resources
- Humans depend on Earth’s land, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere for many different resources. Minerals, freshwater, and biosphere resources are limited, and many are not renewable or replaceable over human lifetimes. These resources are distributed unevenly around the planet as a result of past geologic processes.

Crosscutting Concepts

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

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Earth's System