ESS3. Earth and Human Activity
8.MS-ESS3-1. Analyze and interpret data to explain that the Earth’s mineral and fossil fuel resources are unevenly distributed as a result of geologic processes. Clarification Statement: • Examples of uneven distributions of resources can include where petroleum is generally found (locations of the burial of organic marine sediments and subsequent geologic traps), and where metal ores are generally found (locations of past volcanic and hydrothermal activity).
8.MS-ESS3-5. Examine and interpret data to describe the role that human activities have played in causing the rise in global temperatures over the past century. Clarification Statements: • Examples of human activities include fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and agricultural activity. • Examples of evidence can include tables, graphs, and maps of global and regional temperatures; atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane; and the rates of human activities. [MS-ESS3-2 and MS-ESS3-4 are found in grade 7. MS-ESS3-3 from NGSS has been merged with MS-ESS3-4.]