EarthComm Inquiry: Preparing Students to be Critical Thinkers and Science Literate Citizens

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EarthComm Inquiry Preparing Students to be
Critical Thinkers and Science Literate Citizens
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AGIs High School Curriculum

• EarthComm Earth System Science in the Community
• grades 9-12

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Meeting New Standards

1. Promote inquiry-based instruction
2. Inquiry is an instructional outcome
3. Equitable
4. Developmentally appropriate
5. Interesting and relevant to students
6. Inquiry in professional development

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Our View of Inquiry

• Learners ENGAGE in scientifically oriented
  questions.
• Learners give priority to EVIDENCE in responding
  to questions.
• Learners formulate EXPLANATIONS from evidence.
• Learners connect explanations to scientific
  KNOWLEDGE.
• Learners COMMUNICATE and JUSTIFY explanations.

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ENGAGE in Scientifically Oriented Questions
How do volcanoes affect the biosphere?
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EVIDENCE in Responding to Questions
Students investigate the following What is the
relationship between the volume of an eruption
and the size of the area it covers?
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EXPLANATIONS from Evidence

• Which river valley has a steeper gradient?
• Explain the evidence that suggest the gradients
  are not constant?
• Would a community 50 km away have enough time for
  evacuation?

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Connect Explanations to Scientific KNOWLEDGE
Students consider the following Why might a
lahar (mudflow of volcanic debris and water)
affect a community more severely than a lava
flow?
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COMMUNICATE and JUSTIFY Explanations
Students use the map to answer the following The
factors that control the flow of lava

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Student Outcomes

• Know and understand scientific ideas
• Understand how scientists study the natural world
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills