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Students learn about evidence for Earth's rotation by making observations of a Foucault pendulum video and a Coriolis effect simulator. Students then provide reasoning for why the evidence they have investigated supports the claim that the Earth rotates. Additionally, students learn about the concept of time zones by graphing time vs longitude data and creating an algebraic model to represent the relationship between time and latitude.

This link will take you to the resources used during New Visions Earth and Space Science Workshop: Three Dimensions of NGSS and Access Through Routines Part 1.

This link will take you to the resources used during New Visions Earth and Space Science Workshop: Three Dimensions of NGSS and Access Through Routines Part 2.

This link will take you to the resources used during New Visions Earth and Space Science Workshop: Three Dimensions of NGSS and Equity in Sense Making.

The dynamic nature of streams is vital to civilizations, providing civilizations with drinking water and water for farming. Running water transports more material on Earth's surface than any other agent of erosion. In this 5E sequence students learn about the patterns of erosional-depositional systems in streams through observations of a stream table. Students will also work to develop their own explanation as to how rivers and streams work to constantly alter the surface of Earth.

In this 5E sequence students model nuclear decay by emptying a bag of one hundred pennies on a table and removing all the pennies that are on the tails side (or that have decayed). Students repeat this process with remaining non-decayed pennies several times and record the data. Then students make connections to a radiometric dating and calculate the age of several objects using nuclear decay data. Finally, students elaborate on their learning so far in the unit by completing a 3-level guide that supports them in reading and interpreting the Geologic Time Scale found in the Earth Science Reference Table.  

In this 5E sequence students create their own models of sedimentary rock layers using various mixtures of sediment, then model folding and faulting in rock layers using clay. Students use the experience of modeling rock layers to develop an understanding of basic geologic principles. Their thinking is then extended by engaging in an activity in which they correlate rock layers based on composition and fossil evidence.