MS-PS1-3
The standard
Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.
Next Generation Science Standards
What this standard means
Students need to trace a synthetic material back to the natural resource it came from, then explain the chemical processing that changed it. They also need to describe how that material affects people, communities, or the environment, using clear evidence from text, video, labels, or data tables.
Mastery looks like a student saying, “Aspirin can come from compounds found in willow bark, but it is chemically processed to make a medicine used for pain relief.” Common sticking points are calling all human-made materials “fake,” confusing physical changes with chemical processes, or naming benefits without naming tradeoffs.
Ways to teach it
- Hands-on: Give groups product cards for nylon, aspirin, biofuel, and plastic, then have them match each to a natural resource source card.
- Prompt: Choose one synthetic material and explain its source, how it is changed, and one benefit and one drawback for society.
- Quick check: Show a label or short reading about corn ethanol and ask students to identify the natural resource, process, and impact.
- Real-world link: Have students inspect classroom objects for plastics or synthetic fibers, then list what natural resources those materials likely came from.
Plan a lesson for MS-PS1-3
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related standards
- 2-PS1-1
Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.
- 4-ESS3-1
Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.
- 5-ESS3-1
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth's resources and environment.
- 5-PS1-3
Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.