NGSS 

Next Generation Science Standards

This list includes some connections between your grade level's NGSS & the EcoBlitz CA -- it is not all-inclusive, and there are plenty of creative ways to integrate EcoBlitz and science. 

Kindergarten- Grade 2

K-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity.  Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems. Things that people do to live comfortably can affect the world around them. But they can make choices that reduce their impacts on the land, water, air, and other living things. (Tied to K-ESS3-3)

Science & Engineering Practices: 

2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity. Students who demonstrate understanding can: 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans . There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. (Tied to 2-LS4-1)


Grades 3-5

3-LS4-3.  Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans. Populations live in a variety of habitats, and change in those habitats affects the organisms living there. (Tied to 3-LS4-4)

5-LS2-1.  Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems. The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants...Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met. A healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species of different types are each able to meet their needs in a relatively stable web of life. Newly introduced species can damage the balance of an ecosystem. (Tied to 5-LS2-1)

5-ESS3-1.  Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems. Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday life have had major effects on the land, vegetation, streams, ocean, air, and even outer space. But individuals and communities are doing things to help protect Earth’s resources and environments. (5-ESS3-1)

Grades 6-8

MS-LS2-4.  Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

MS-LS2-5.  Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience. Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations. (Tied to MS-LS2-4). Biodiversity describes the variety of species found in Earth’s terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems. The completeness or integrity of an ecosystem’s biodiversity is often used as a measure of its health. (MS-LS2-5)

MS-ESS3-3.  Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.

ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems. Human activities have significantly altered the biosphere, sometimes damaging or destroying natural habitats and causing the extinction of other species. But changes to Earth’s environments can have different impacts (negative and positive) for different living things. (Tied to MS-ESS3-3)

High School

HS-LS4-6.  Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.

LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans. Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also having adverse impacts on biodiversity through overpopulation, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Thus sustaining biodiversity so that ecosystem functioning and productivity are maintained is essential to supporting and enhancing life on Earth. Sustaining biodiversity also aids humanity by preserving landscapes of recreational or inspirational value. (tied to HS-LS4-6