Deep Freeze Survival: A Negative Number Challenge
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use our understanding of negative numbers to develop a survival plan that addresses the challenges of a sudden ice age?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can negative numbers represent real-world situations like temperature?
- How do you perform calculations with negative numbers?
- How can we use math to plan and budget resources in a survival scenario?
- How do we use negative numbers to track changes in temperature over time?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the meaning and use of negative numbers in real-world contexts.
- Perform calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with negative numbers.
- Apply negative number concepts to solve problems related to temperature and resource management in a survival scenario.
- Use negative numbers to track changes in temperature over time.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mysterious Frozen Artifact
A news report details the discovery of a strange artifact encased in ice, baffling scientists. Students must use negative number temperature data to hypothesize the artifact's origin and the conditions of its freezing, sparking an investigation into extreme cold and survival.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Arctic Adventure: Temperature Tracker
Students will begin their survival journey by understanding how negative numbers represent temperature changes. They will track and record daily temperature fluctuations in different Arctic locations, providing a foundation for understanding extreme cold.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed temperature tracking report, including a table of daily high and low temperatures, calculated average temperatures, and a line graph illustrating temperature changes in three Arctic locations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Understand the meaning and use of negative numbers in real-world contexts. Use negative numbers to track changes in temperature over time.Survival Budget: The Resource Allocator
In this activity, students apply their knowledge of negative numbers to manage resources in a survival scenario. They will create a budget, accounting for expenses (negative numbers) and available supplies (positive numbers), to ensure their survival for a set period.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive survival budget that outlines available resources, daily requirements, consumption rates, and the projected survival time, along with strategies to extend survival.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Apply negative number concepts to solve problems related to temperature and resource management in a survival scenario. Perform calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with negative numbers.Ice Age Calculations: The Temperature Puzzle
This activity focuses on performing calculations with negative numbers in the context of the ice age. Students will solve various math problems involving temperature changes, resource allocation, and other survival-related scenarios.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of solved math problems with detailed calculations and explanations of the answers in the context of the ice age survival scenario.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Perform calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with negative numbers. Apply negative number concepts to solve problems related to temperature and resource management in a survival scenario.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioDeep Freeze Survival Challenge: Arctic Adventure Temperature Tracker Rubric
Data Collection & Organization
Accuracy and clarity in collecting, recording, and organizing temperature data for the selected Arctic locations.Temperature Data Accuracy
Accuracy of recorded high and low temperatures for each Arctic location over the 7-day period.
Exemplary
4 PointsAll temperature data is accurate and precisely recorded for all locations and days. Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail.
Proficient
3 PointsMost temperature data is accurate with only minor errors or omissions. Demonstrates good attention to detail.
Developing
2 PointsSome temperature data is inaccurate or missing, impacting the overall understanding of temperature changes. Requires closer attention to detail.
Beginning
1 PointsSignificant temperature data is inaccurate or missing, making it difficult to understand temperature changes. Needs substantial improvement in data collection.
Data Table Clarity
Clarity and organization of the temperature data table, including appropriate labels and units.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe data table is exceptionally clear, well-organized, and easy to read, with precise labels and units for all entries. Enhances understanding of the data.
Proficient
3 PointsThe data table is clear, well-organized, and easy to read, with appropriate labels and units. Facilitates understanding of the data.
Developing
2 PointsThe data table is somewhat organized but may lack clarity in labels or units, making it slightly difficult to interpret the data. Requires improvements in presentation.
Beginning
1 PointsThe data table is poorly organized, lacks clear labels and units, and is difficult to read, hindering the understanding of the data. Needs significant improvement in organization and presentation.
Data Analysis & Representation
Effectiveness in calculating average daily temperatures and creating a line graph to visualize temperature changes.Average Temperature Calculation
Accuracy in calculating the average daily temperature for each location.
Exemplary
4 PointsAll average daily temperatures are calculated accurately and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of operations with negative numbers.
Proficient
3 PointsMost average daily temperatures are calculated accurately with only minor errors. Demonstrates a good understanding of operations with negative numbers.
Developing
2 PointsSome average daily temperatures are calculated inaccurately, indicating a partial understanding of operations with negative numbers. Requires review of calculation methods.
Beginning
1 PointsMany average daily temperatures are calculated inaccurately, revealing a limited understanding of operations with negative numbers. Needs significant support in understanding calculations.
Line Graph Visualization
Clarity and effectiveness of the line graph in representing temperature changes over time.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe line graph is exceptionally clear, visually appealing, and effectively represents temperature changes with accurate labels, scales, and distinct color-coding for each location. Demonstrates advanced data visualization skills.
Proficient
3 PointsThe line graph is clear, well-labeled, and effectively represents temperature changes with appropriate scales and color-coding. Demonstrates effective data visualization skills.
Developing
2 PointsThe line graph is somewhat clear but may lack accurate labels, scales, or color-coding, making it slightly difficult to interpret temperature changes. Requires improvements in graph design.
Beginning
1 PointsThe line graph is poorly constructed, lacks clear labels, scales, and color-coding, and is difficult to interpret, hindering the understanding of temperature changes. Needs significant improvement in graph construction and presentation.
Interpretation & Application
Ability to interpret the temperature data and apply it to understand the challenges of surviving in extreme cold.Temperature Trend Analysis
Analysis of temperature trends and patterns observed in the data.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a sophisticated analysis of temperature trends, identifying patterns and drawing insightful conclusions about the challenges of survival in extreme cold. Demonstrates advanced analytical skills.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough analysis of temperature trends, identifying patterns and drawing logical conclusions about the challenges of survival in extreme cold. Demonstrates effective analytical skills.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic analysis of temperature trends but may miss key patterns or draw superficial conclusions about the challenges of survival in extreme cold. Requires further development of analytical skills.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a limited analysis of temperature trends, failing to identify key patterns or draw meaningful conclusions about the challenges of survival in extreme cold. Needs significant support in developing analytical skills.
Real-World Application
Application of temperature data to real-world survival scenarios and decision-making.
Exemplary
4 PointsApplies temperature data innovatively to propose effective survival strategies, demonstrating a deep understanding of the impact of extreme cold on survival. Shows exceptional critical thinking.
Proficient
3 PointsApplies temperature data appropriately to suggest practical survival strategies, demonstrating a solid understanding of the impact of extreme cold on survival. Shows effective critical thinking.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to apply temperature data to survival scenarios but may offer limited or less practical strategies, indicating a partial understanding of the impact of extreme cold on survival. Requires further exploration of real-world applications.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to apply temperature data to survival scenarios, demonstrating a limited understanding of the impact of extreme cold on survival. Needs significant support in connecting data to real-world applications.