Oklahoma Science EN.ESS2.2
The Standard
Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedback and interactions that cause changes to other Earth systems.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (2026)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students read maps and graphs showing a change at Earth’s surface. They use the data to explain how that change affects other parts of Earth and can lead to more of the original change.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student points to falling sea ice extent and rising Arctic air temperature on graphs. They explain how exposed dark water absorbs more sunlight, warms the ocean and air, and leads to further ice loss.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat two matching trends as proof that one directly caused the other. Some think melting ice turns the ocean dark, rather than exposing dark water, or draw a one-way chain instead of a loop.
How to Assess It
- Hand out NOAA graphs of September Arctic sea ice extent and Arctic air temperature. Ask students to name one trend on each graph, then draw a loop linking ice loss, reflectivity, ocean heating, air temperature, and further ice loss.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place thermometers on black and white paper under a lamp, record temperatures every two minutes, and connect the results to exposed ocean water.
Using NOAA sea ice and air temperature graphs, write a claim about how ice loss can lead to further melting.
Give groups cards labeled sea ice, reflectivity, absorbed sunlight, ocean temperature, and air temperature; have them arrange and explain a feedback loop.
Compare NSIDC September sea ice maps from 1980 and 2020, then mark where exposed water could absorb more sunlight.
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Printable EN.ESS2.2 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- EN.ESS2.4
Analyze and interpret data to explore how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems cause changes to the atmosphere and climate.
- ES.ESS2.2
Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedback and interactions that cause changes to other Earth systems.
- ES.ESS2.4
Analyze and interpret data to explore how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems cause changes to the atmosphere and climate.
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