Objective: Students will be able to use a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process, as described in NGSS standard HS-ESS2-6.
NGSS Standard: HS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
Materials:
- Computer with internet access
- Projector
- Handouts with information about Earth's materials cycling and energy flow (e.g. diagrams, graphs)
Warm-Up:
- Begin the lesson by asking students what they know about Earth's materials cycling and energy flow.
- Write their responses on the board and use them to lead a brief discussion about the importance of understanding these processes in order to understand how Earth's systems function.
Direct Instruction:
- Introduce the concept of modeling and explain that models are simplified representations of complex systems that help us understand and make predictions about those systems.
- Provide examples of different types of models (e.g. physical models, mathematical models) and explain how they can be used to represent different aspects of Earth's materials cycling and energy flow.
- Show the class a diagram or graph representing Earth's materials cycling and energy flow and explain that they will be using this model to understand how these processes work.
Guided Practice:
- Have the class work together to identify the different parts of the model (e.g. Earth's atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere) and the ways in which they interact.
- Have the students discuss the role of energy in driving these interactions and how it is transferred between the different parts of the system.
- Have the students brainstorm examples of how human activities (e.g. burning fossil fuels, deforestation) can affect Earth's materials cycling and energy flow.
Independent Practice:
- Assign students the task of creating their own model of Earth's materials cycling and energy flow using a tool of their choice (e.g. diagram, graph, physical model).
- Have students present their models to the class and explain their reasoning for the choices they made.
Conclusion:
- Review the concept of modeling and how it can be used to understand Earth's materials cycling and energy flow.
- Emphasize the importance of understanding these processes in order to make informed decisions about how we interact with and impact the planet.