Life Science: Biology · Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems

HS-LS2-5The Carbon Cycle

Performance expectation

Develop a model to illustrate the role of various processes in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

What NYSED says about assessing it

Clarification statement

Examples of models could include simulations, diagrams, and mathematical models of the carbon cycle (photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion).

Assessment boundary

Assessment does not include the specific chemical steps of photosynthesis and respiration.

The three dimensions

Every item written to HS-LS2-5 has to assess all three dimensions together, not the content alone. This is the structural change that made older practice material stop matching the exam.

Science & engineering practice

Developing and Using Models

Disciplinary core ideas
  • LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
  • PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes
Crosscutting concepts
  • Systems and System Models

Related performance expectations

Generate a cluster for HS-LS2-5

Phenomenon stimulus, connected items across the required types, answer key, rubric and figures drawn deterministically from a structured spec — in the format your students will sit.