Investigating%20Earth%20Systems

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Investigating Earth Systems
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Workshop Goals

• Engage in IES by doing an activity
• Explore the curriculum design, pedagogy, and
  assessment as we go
• Explain key program features, including the
  teachers guide, materials kits, web sites, and
  professional development
• Elaborate on questions that you may have
• Evaluate the workshop.

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IES Oceans Investigation 3

• Sampler page 8 Key Question
• Answer the Key Question What causes ocean
  currents?
• Individually in your Journal
• Discuss with the person next to you
• Discuss as a group
• Class Discussion and Recording of Ideas

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IES Oceans Investigation 3

• Sampler pages 8-10 Investigate Part A Surface
  Currents
• Complete steps 1 and 2 in your group
• Discuss step 3 as a class
• What patterns do you see between surface currents
  and wind direction?
• What new questions do you have?
• Form a hypothesis to explain the relationship
  between wind direction and surface currents. Give
  reasons based on evidence.

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IES Oceans Investigation 3

• Sampler Pages 10-11 Investigate Part B Deep
  Ocean Currents
• Complete step 1 in your group
• Watch a demonstration of steps 2 and 3
• Discuss step 4 as a class
• Complete steps 5-7 in your group

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IES Oceans Investigation 3

• Reviewing the Rest of the Investigation
• Digging Deeper and As Your Read
• Using the IES Web Site to support inquiry
• Review and Reflect
• Review
• Reflect
• Thinking about the Earth System
• Thinking about Scientific Inquiry

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Investigating Earth Systems

• Modular, inquiry-based Earth science curriculum
• Driven by the National Standards and Benchmarks
  for Science Literacy
• Developed by Earth science experts and classroom
  teachers through the AGI
• Published by Its About Time
• Materials kits, teacher guides, web sites, and
  professional development to support teachers.

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Your Students Will

• Learn the principles and practices of Earth
  science.
• Hypothesize, experiment, reflect, and analyze.
• Develop an understanding of how the Earth works
  as a set of systems.
• Appreciate the relevance of Earth science to
  their lives and the environment.
• Work collaboratively with other students to solve
  problems.

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The Big Picture

1. Earth is a set of closely linked systems.
2. Earth's processes are powered by two sources the
   Sun and Earth's own inner heat.
3. The geology of Earth is dynamic, and has evolved
   over 4.5 billion years.
4. The geological evolution of Earth has left a
   record of its history that geoscientists
   interpret.
5. We depend upon Earth's resources-both mined and
   grown.

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Module Structure

• Pre-Assessment of Key Concepts in the Module
• Six to Seven Inquiry-based Investigations
• Final Product and Presentation - Summative
  Assessment
• Back to the Beginning Post Assessment of Key
  Concepts in the Module

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Investigation Structure

• Key Question
• Investigate
• Student Presentations
• Digging Deeper
• Review and Reflect
• The Earth System Connection

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The Student Journal

• Students keep a record of
• Initial ideas
• Research designs
• Observations
• Results
• New questions
• Connections to the Earths systems

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Promoting Scientific Inquiry
Form questions to answer by inquiry
Conduct an investigation
Seek alternative explanations
Collect and review data using tools
Show evidence and reasons to others
Use evidence to develop ideas
Consider evidence for explanations
Use mathematics for science inquiry
Design an investigation
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Sharing the Results of Inquiry
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Making the Earth System Connection
All students should develop an understanding of
Earth as a set of closely interrelated systems
geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and
biosphere. (NSES, 1996)
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Assessment Tools

• Pre-Assessment Questions
• Sample Rubrics for Assessing
• Inquiry
• Understanding of Content
• Earths Systems Connections
• Journal Entries
• Participation in Inquiry
• Final Projects
• Module Exams

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Comprehensive Teacher Guide

• Module flow, goals and objectives
• Background information
• Correlation to National Standards
• Preparation and materials needed
• Detailed teaching and assessment tips
• Blackline masters of key diagrams
• Assessment rubrics and exams

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The Nine Modules
Investigating Soil
Investigating Oceans
Investigating Fossils
Investigating Minerals and Materials
Investigating Our Dynamic Planet
Investigating Climate and Weather
Investigating Water as a Resource
Investigating Energy Resources
Investigating Rocks and Landforms