NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. 7 – Engaging in Argument from Evidence. 3-5. Construct and/or support an argument with evidence, data, and/or a model.

NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas. LS2.B – Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems. Matter cycles between the air and soil and among plants, animals, and microbes as these organisms live and die. Organisms obtain gases, and water, from the environment, and release waste matter (gas, liquid, or solid) back into the environment.

NGSS Crosscutting Concepts. 2 – Cause and Effect. 3-5. Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified, tested, and used to explain change.

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. 2- Developing and Using Models. 3-5. Use a model to test cause and effect relationships or interactions concerning the functioning of a natural or designed system.

NGSS Crosscutting Concepts. 2 – Cause and Effect. 3-5. Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified, tested, and used to explain change.

NGSS Crosscutting Concepts. 4 – Systems and System Models. 3-5. A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. 6 – Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions. 3-5. Construct an explanation of observed relationships.