This cluster includes the following access points.
Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.
| Name |
Description |
| Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: How Does Science Fit In?: | You'll explore how science does and does not influence decision-making about climate change, sea turtles, and human health, in this interactive tutorial. |
| Connections Between Science and Society, Economy, and Politics: | Explore the interconnected world of science, society, economy, and politics and how they all influence one another with this interactive tutorial. |
| Math Models and Social Distancing: | Learn how math models can show why social distancing during a epidemic or pandemic is important in this interactive tutorial. |
| Using Science to Make Informed Decisions: | Learn how science can help us make informed decisions that improve our lives as you complete this interactive tutorial. |
| Name |
Description |
| Martian Bill of Rights: Part 1: | Students will predict the challenges for humans living on Mars in the future by considering the differences between Mars and Earth. In light of these potential challenges, students will consider how the rule of law could influence a new Martian society founded under the principles of the U.S. constitutional republic in this integrated lesson plan. This lesson is Part 1 of 2. |
| Martian Bill of Rights: Part 2: | Students will use their understanding of the habitability challenges on Mars (developed during Part 1) to create a Martian Bill of Rights that will guarantee civil rights and liberties of future Martian citizens in this integrated lesson plan. This lesson is Part 2 of 2. |
| Gr. 8 Lesson 1-Sponging Off the Everglades: | Students will be able to:
- Describe how social and economic needs for water affects the water in the Everglades ecosystem
- Explain 3 ways that the Everglades are necessary for our daily lives
- List 3 ways to conserve water
- Quantify the percentages of water usage by different South Florida user groups
- Create a mathematical model using a pie chart to illustrate water usage by user group in South Florida
- Create an informational brochure about the importance of water to the Everglades and the need for water conservation
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| Gr. 8 Lesson 2-Threats to the Everglades: | Students will be able to:
- Describe three ecosystem services provided by the Everglades
- Explain how these three ecosystem services contribute to the social and economic quality of life for people living in South Florida
- Describe five specific threats to the ecological health of the Everglades incorporating relevant evidence of the impacts of each of these threats
- Present findings on threats to the Everglades based on information derived from various texts/websites
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| Gr. 8 Lesson 3-Everglades Dilemmas: | Students will be able to:
- Describe how different social and economic decisions impact the Everglades
- Analyze and select actions related to water dilemmas associated with the Everglades
- Write an explanatory essay about how decisions made on a daily basis have the potential to impact the Everglades
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| Clean Up, Collect Data, and Conserve the Environment!: | Students will participate in collecting trash either on campus or another location. They will compare the distance traveled and the weight of the trash bag collected. Students will explore the use of mean and median in finding the ratios of the data set. They will discuss the use of mean and median in finding the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Students will examine their scatter plot and determine if any patterns of association exist. They will compare their data to a coastal cleanup report. Finally, students will use the data to help determine interventions at the local, state and national level regarding environmental issues. |
| Sea Ice Analysis Grade 8: | The changing climate is an important topic for both scientific analysis and worldly knowledge. This lesson uses data collected by the National Snow and Ice Data Center to create and use mathematical models as a predictive tool and do critical analysis of sea ice loss. |
| Lots of Fish in the Sea?: | So many fish in the sea? How does our changing climate bear on marine life and the carbon balance on our planet? Students will examine applications of the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy and determine how all the pieces fit together. Students will learn about attempted solutions to the problem of increased carbon dioxide and evaluate effectiveness. |
| Climate Challenge MEA: | In this Model-Eliciting Activity (MEA), students will be asked to read from several sources to determine the most effective plan to address its effects and reduce carbon pollution. Climate change is already affecting us in many ways.
Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx |
| 3-D Printers: Cost Effective for the Quality?: | Students will compare the cost of pre-made solar car kits to cars made from a 3-D printer. In the second part of the activity, students will research other available 3-D printers and determine what attributes are important to consider. There is also an optional solar panel car race for day 3.
Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom. |
| Mars Rovers: | Students will work in teams to conduct research and compare Mars and Earth. They will develop a procedure and explain their reasoning to rank different rover models to determine which one could be the best to deploy as a part of Mars Exploration Project. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom. |
| Tablet of Knowledge MEA: | In this Model-Eliciting Activity (MEA), students will have the opportunity to analyze and organize data about tablet devices that their school is looking to purchase for daily use in the classroom.
In this MEA, students compare different tablet devices. They will be given empirical evidence and must organize this data to allow for interpreting key factors to determine which device is best suited for the client. Basically, students are given data and must use this information to make a recommendation to the principal about which tablet or device should be purchased with the school's funds. They will have to provide evidence to support their recommendation. This MEA is designed to help students with data that is collected from an investigation or a lab. In the past, students were able to generate data, but in this MEA they are given the data and asked to make it relevant.
Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx |
| Name |
Description |
| Burning to Learn: | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article describes some of the research on fire being done by a variety of scientists. This research is leading to a greater understanding of how things burn and the effects of fire on humans and the environment. For example, fire research can be applied to maintaining ecosystems, human health and safety, and controlling or preventing large wildfires. |
| Cool Jobs: Repellent Chemistry: | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. Part of the Cool Jobs series, this article features examples of STEM careers. The text highlights research into super-repellent chemicals. Teams of scientists inspired by nature are working on solving problems that would enhance society. These innovations include ultra-repellent fabric, mesh to clean up oil spills, de-fogging surfaces, and coatings that reduce drag on ships. |
| Florida Riding a Lucky Streak as Hurricane Season 2014 Opens: | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article reports on the "lucky streak" Florida has had in hurricane seasons since 2005 and explains why the trend cannot last forever. The author also focuses on storm surge damage and explains the new computer programs that use interactive real-time maps to predict storm surges and the need for evacuations. |
| When a Species Can't Stand the Heat: | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article discusses how global warming could leave New Zealand's tuatara (a reptile species) dangerously short on females. When the temperature rises as little as one degree, far more males than females are born. One island habitat is now 75% males, with fewer, frailer females. Without intervention, the tuatara could become extinct. The article offers some possible solutions, including having the colonies relocated to cooler islands. |
| Hurricanes: | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This interactive, online text explains how a hurricane forms, what storm surge is, when hurricane season starts and ends, how hurricanes are named, and more. It has animations of storm surge and a link to a storm tracking map. The article also includes a glossary and fantastic tables and diagrams. |
| Will My Plastic Bag Still Be Here in 2507?: | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. In this text, scientists conduct experiments to determine the decomposition rate of plastic bags. |
| Kennedy Space Center Annual Report 2012: | The 2012 Report of the Kennedy Space Center includes significant events, engineering achievements, partnerships, environmental work, education work, and outreach. In addition, the final section includes the economic impact and work force diversity. |
| Why Isn't Pluto A Planet?: | This Frequently Asked Question page can be used by educators and students as a scientific resource to answer the question, "Why isn't Pluto a planet?". From the International Astronomical Union, the definitive answer from the governing body that classified Pluto as a dwarf planet. |
Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.
| Title |
Description |
| Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: How Does Science Fit In?: | You'll explore how science does and does not influence decision-making about climate change, sea turtles, and human health, in this interactive tutorial. |
| Connections Between Science and Society, Economy, and Politics: | Explore the interconnected world of science, society, economy, and politics and how they all influence one another with this interactive tutorial. |
| Math Models and Social Distancing: | Learn how math models can show why social distancing during a epidemic or pandemic is important in this interactive tutorial. |
| Using Science to Make Informed Decisions: | Learn how science can help us make informed decisions that improve our lives as you complete this interactive tutorial. |
Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.
