Earth and Space Sciences Simulations

Simulations aligned with NGSS Performance Expectations:

HS-ESS1-1

Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to release energy in the form of radiation.

• Stellar Phenomena Simulator - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation exploring the stages of stellar life, from a stellar nursery to a star’s ultimate fate.

  Stellar Phenomena Simulator Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS1-2

Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.

• Big Bang Evidence Explorer - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive exploration of the three key pieces of evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory: cosmic redshift, primordial composition, and the cosmic microwave background.

  Big Bang Evidence Explorer Resources & Implementation

  • Big Bang Evidence Explorer Task ⬇️ Download Task (.md)
    • Task PreScreener ⬇️ Download PreScreener (.md)
    • Task Screener ⬇️ Download Screener (.md)

HS-ESS1-3

Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.

• Stellar Nucleosynthesis Explorer - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation demonstrating the life cycle of stars (low and high mass) and how they produce elements through nuclear fusion and supernovae, with real-time nucleon conservation tracking.

  Stellar Nucleosynthesis Explorer Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS1-4

Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.

• Gravitational Slingshot (Assist) Simulation - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Explore orbital mechanics by launching a probe to fly by a massive planet. Time the encounter perfectly to gain energy and reach escape velocity!

  Gravitational Slingshot (Assist) Simulation Resources & Implementation

• Planetary Defense: Asteroid Deflection - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Use orbital mechanics and kinetic impactors to alter an asteroid’s trajectory and save Earth from a catastrophic collision.

  Planetary Defense: Asteroid Deflection Resources & Implementation

• Orbital Motion & Kepler’s Laws Simulation - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation exploring Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation and Kepler’s Laws by adjusting planetary parameters.

  Orbital Motion & Kepler's Laws Simulation Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS1-5

Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.

• Radiometric Dating Explorer - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive tool simulating radioactive decay to demonstrate how scientists determine the absolute ages of crustal rocks and meteorites.

  Radiometric Dating Explorer Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS1-6

Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth’s formation and early history.

• Cratering & Surface Age Explorer - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Investigate why Earth has so few visible impact craters compared to the Moon, despite forming at the same time 4.6 billion years ago.

  Cratering & Surface Age Explorer Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS2-1

Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.

• Hartford Basin Rift & Dinosaur Tracks Modeler - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation of the Central Valley of Connecticut, modeling how Triassic rifting, Jurassic sedimentation and volcanism, and Pleistocene glaciation interact to preserve and expose dinosaur tracks.

  Hartford Basin Rift & Dinosaur Tracks Modeler Resources & Implementation

• Connecticut River Valley Rift Simulation - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Explore the 200-million-year geological history of the Hartford Basin, Portland brownstone deposition, and the volcanic Metacomet Ridge in Central Connecticut.

  Connecticut River Valley Rift Simulation Resources & Implementation

• Metacomet Ridge Formation - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive geological simulation modeling the formation of the Metacomet Ridge, including Higby and Beseck Mountains in Middletown, Connecticut.

  Metacomet Ridge Formation Resources & Implementation

• Tectonic Landscape Modeler - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation exploring how slow constructive forces (uplift) and destructive forces (weathering, mass wasting) shape Earth’s surface over geologic time.

  Tectonic Landscape Modeler Resources & Implementation

• Puerto Rico Trench Gravity Anomaly - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Model the subduction of the North American plate under the Caribbean plate to investigate the massive free-air gravity anomaly of the Puerto Rico Trench.

  Puerto Rico Trench Gravity Anomaly Resources & Implementation

• Formation of the Metacomet Ridge - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive Earth science simulation allowing students to model the tectonic rifting, volcanism, and glacial erosion that formed the Metacomet Ridge in Central Connecticut (e.g., Mount Higby). Aligns with NGSS HS-ESS2-1.

  Formation of the Metacomet Ridge Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS2-2

Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.

• Saharan Dust Transport (Polvo del Sahara) - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation modeling the transport of Saharan dust across the Atlantic Ocean via trade winds, exploring its impacts on Puerto Rico’s air quality, hurricane suppression, and nutrient deposition.

  Saharan Dust Transport (Polvo del Sahara) Resources & Implementation

• Ice-Albedo Feedback Loop - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation demonstrating the positive feedback loop between rising global temperatures, melting sea ice, and decreasing surface albedo.

  Ice-Albedo Feedback Loop Resources & Implementation

• Ocean Acidification & Coral Bleaching in La Parguera - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive Earth systems simulation showing how changes to the atmosphere (increased CO₂) create destructive feedback loops in the hydrosphere and biosphere.

  Ocean Acidification & Coral Bleaching in La Parguera Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS2-3

Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.

• Mantle Convection Explorer - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation exploring how the outward flow of energy from Earth’s core drives thermal convection in the mantle and the surface expression of plate tectonics.

  Mantle Convection Explorer Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS2-4

Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate.

• Tambora 1816: Year Without a Summer - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Investigate how stratospheric aerosols from a massive volcanic eruption affected Earth’s energy budget and caused the 1816 global climate anomaly.

  Tambora 1816: Year Without a Summer Resources & Implementation

• Greenhouse Effect & Earth’s Energy Budget Simulation - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation exploring how greenhouse gases affect Earth’s energy budget and global temperature.

  Greenhouse Effect & Earth's Energy Budget Simulation Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS2-5

Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.

• Water Properties & Earth Processes - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive lab environment exploring frost wedging, chemical weathering, and stream transport.

  Water Properties & Earth Processes Resources & Implementation

• Puerto Rican Karst Topography: Water & Bedrock Interactions - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation investigating how water chemically weathers limestone over thousands of years to create the unique karst landforms of Puerto Rico (sinkholes, mogotes, and aquifers).

  Puerto Rican Karst Topography: Water & Bedrock Interactions Resources & Implementation

• Frost Heaves and Connecticut Stone Walls - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Simulate the physics of ice expansion and frost heaving that pushes rocks to the surface, explaining the abundance of stone walls in New England.

  Frost Heaves and Connecticut Stone Walls Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS2-6

Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

• Global Carbon Cycle Model - * IN DEVELOPMENT * A quantitative box-model simulation demonstrating the conservation of mass and the flows of carbon between Earth’s major reservoirs, highlighting human impacts.

  Global Carbon Cycle Model Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS2-7

Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth’s systems and life on Earth.

• The Great Oxidation Event - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive timeline model simulating how early photosynthetic life altered Earth’s atmosphere, exhausted ocean chemical sinks, and paved the way for complex aerobic life.

  The Great Oxidation Event Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS3-1

Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

• Connecticut Coastal Erosion & Sea-Level Rise Simulator - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation forecasting the regional impacts of sea-level rise and Nor’easter storm surges on Connecticut coastal communities, allowing students to test mitigation strategies like seawalls, salt marshes, and managed retreat.

  Connecticut Coastal Erosion & Sea-Level Rise Simulator Resources & Implementation

• Human Settlement & Migration Simulator - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive map demonstrating how human populations migrate towards natural resources and are displaced by natural hazards and climate change. Features specific historical case studies (Nile River Valley, The Dust Bowl), a modern Climate Refugee scenario, and a dynamic population data logger for quantitative analysis.

  Human Settlement & Migration Simulator Resources & Implementation

• Portland Brownstone Quarry Simulator - * IN DEVELOPMENT * A resource management simulator focusing on the historical Portland, CT brownstone quarries, demonstrating how natural resources, economics, and natural hazards (flooding) influence human settlement and industry.

  Portland Brownstone Quarry Simulator Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS3-2

Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.*

• Energy & Mineral Resources Cost-Benefit Analysis - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.

  Energy & Mineral Resources Cost-Benefit Analysis Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS3-3

Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.

• Sustainable Resource Management Simulator - * IN DEVELOPMENT * A computational simulation where users must balance human population growth against biodiversity loss and resource depletion.

  Sustainable Resource Management Simulator Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS3-4

Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.*

• Urban Watershed Mitigation Design - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Evaluate and refine technological solutions to reduce agricultural and urban runoff impacts on a local watershed.

  Urban Watershed Mitigation Design Resources & Implementation

• The Flint Water Crisis: Solubility & Precipitation - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation exploring the solubility product constant (Ksp) and precipitation reactions by modeling the addition of orthophosphate to prevent lead leaching.

  The Flint Water Crisis: Solubility & Precipitation Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS3-5

Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.

• Connecticut Coastal Erosion & Sea-Level Rise Simulator - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation forecasting the regional impacts of sea-level rise and Nor’easter storm surges on Connecticut coastal communities, allowing students to test mitigation strategies like seawalls, salt marshes, and managed retreat.

  Connecticut Coastal Erosion & Sea-Level Rise Simulator Resources & Implementation

• Global Climate Impacts & Mitigation Forecast - * IN DEVELOPMENT * A computational dashboard forecasting the future rate of climate change and its specific impacts on glacial ice and ocean pH.

  Global Climate Impacts & Mitigation Forecast Resources & Implementation

• Ocean Acidification & Coral Bleaching in La Parguera - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive Earth systems simulation showing how changes to the atmosphere (increased CO₂) create destructive feedback loops in the hydrosphere and biosphere.

  Ocean Acidification & Coral Bleaching in La Parguera Resources & Implementation

HS-ESS3-6

Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.

• Earth Systems Interactions Simulator - * IN DEVELOPMENT * Explore how human activities like fossil fuel emissions and deforestation impact Earth’s interacting systems over time.

  Earth Systems Interactions Simulator Resources & Implementation

• Long Island Sound Hypoxia Simulation - * IN DEVELOPMENT * An interactive simulation exploring how human-caused nutrient runoff, combined with seasonal temperature changes, creates dead zones (hypoxia) in coastal ecosystems and impacts marine life.

  Long Island Sound Hypoxia Simulation Resources & Implementation