NGSS Alignment Matrix
How E.D.E.N. scenarios connect to the Next Generation Science Standards across middle and high school.
The Education Edition provides a library of scenarios intentionally aligned with NGSS Earth & Space Science, Life Science, and Crosscutting Concepts.
This alignment matrix helps teachers quickly find activities that support their grade band and instructional goals.
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
| Scenario / Module | NGSS Standard(s) | Focus Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Watersheds & Drainage Basins | MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-4 | Surface processes, water flow, topography |
| Climate Zones & Atmospheric Circulation | MS-ESS2-5 | Air masses, temperature patterns, global winds |
| Weather vs Climate | MS-ESS2-6 | Climate variability, long-term vs short-term patterns |
| Biome Formation & Environmental Factors | MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2 | Ecosystem interactions, limiting factors, patterns |
| Surface Heating & Energy Distribution | MS-ESS2-1 | Uneven heating, convection, circulation |
High School (Grades 9–12)
| Scenario / Module | NGSS Standard(s) | Focus Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Global Wind Patterns & Pressure Systems | HS-ESS2-4 | Pressure gradients, Coriolis-like effects, heat transfer |
| Hydrology & Landscape Evolution | HS-ESS2-5 | Feedbacks among water, landforms, and climate |
| Atmosphere–Hydrosphere Coupling | HS-ESS2-2 | Earth-system interactions, dynamic equilibrium |
| Climate Feedback Mechanisms | HS-ESS3-5 | Positive/negative feedback loops, long-term climate change |
| Ecological Niches & Resource Patterns | HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6 | Resource availability, competition, ecosystem stability |
Crosscutting Concepts Across All Scenarios
E.D.E.N. scenarios reinforce:
- Systems & System Models
- Cause & Effect
- Patterns
- Energy & Matter
- Stability & Change
- Scale, Proportion, & Quantity
These concepts appear naturally because students are interacting with real data fields and emergent system behavior rather than static diagrams.