In this unit, students will embark on an exciting adventure as geological detectives, unraveling the mysteries of Earth's dynamic landforms through engaging team challenges. They will solve real-world puzzles using clues from rock formations and historical data, fostering collaboration and creativity. The unit aims to captivate students' curiosity while deepening their understanding of geological processes and empowering them to think critically about future landscape changes.
Learning goals
Students will embark on a creative journey to design and construct models of structures that can withstand seismic activity, using everyday materials like cardboard, clay, and rubber bands. They will explore local geological patterns by examining rock formations and fossils, predicting changes in the landscape. Through hands-on experimentation, students will test and refine their designs, comparing the stability and cost-effectiveness of their solutions, while engaging in imaginative storytelling about the journey of a tectonic plate.
Standards
ESS.2.B - Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions
3-5-ETS1-2 - Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
4-ESS1-1 - Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation for changes in a landscape over time.
Products
Students will collaboratively design and construct earthquake-resistant structures using everyday materials such as cardboard, straws, and rubber bands. They will create a presentation to showcase their models, explaining their design choices and how they address seismic challenges. Additionally, students will compile a creative narrative video illustrating the journey of a tectonic plate, using animations and voiceovers to explain geological processes and their consequences, making the learning experience engaging and memorable.
Launch
Kick off the unit with an exciting 'Geological Detective Challenge,' where students work in teams to solve mysteries about past earthquakes using clues from rock formations and historical data. Provide simple materials like clay and cardboard for students to model tectonic plate movements, allowing them to visualize and explore the effects on landforms. Engage students in a lively discussion to brainstorm real-world problems related to earthquakes and plate tectonics, sparking curiosity and setting the stage for their project work.
Exhibition
Students will collaborate in small groups to create interactive exhibits using everyday materials that simulate earthquake-resistant structures. They will present their exhibits to classmates and invited guests, using engaging demonstrations to showcase their design choices and solutions to seismic challenges. Each group will use a shake table to simulate an earthquake, inviting observers to participate in testing the resilience of their structures, making the exhibition both educational and exciting.
