Desert Energy Collisions: Exploring Forces in the UAE
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we utilize energy efficiently and safely in the UAE desert environment?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What is energy and its significance in a desert ecosystem?
- How do collisions influence energy transfer between objects?
- What impact does friction have on energy transfer during collisions in the desert?
- How can knowledge of energy and collisions guide us in creating suitable desert solutions?
- How can energy use and collision understanding promote safety and sustainability in the UAE desert?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will explore the concept of energy and how it is observed in the desert environment.
- Students will investigate how collisions affect energy transfer between objects.
- Students will understand the role of friction in energy transfer during collisions in the desert environment.
- Students will apply their knowledge of energy and collisions to design sustainable and safe solutions suitable for the desert environment.
- Students will analyze how energy transfer and collision knowledge can enhance safety and sustainability in the UAE desert.
Next Generation Science Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsDesert Physics Expedition
Kick off with a virtual reality expedition into the UAE desert where students witness firsthand videos of energy and collision in action with dune buggies, sand surfing, and wildlife. This experience ties authentic desert living to scientific principles and sparks curiosity about the underlying physics.Mystery of the Desert Crash
Present a fictional news report about a mysterious crash between two objects in the desert. Invite students to become forensic scientists who need to solve the mystery using principles of energy and collision, encouraging them to connect scientific inquiry with intriguing real-world scenarios.Desert Survival Challenge
Engage students with a survival scenario where they have to use knowledge of energy sources and collision dynamics to create tools or strategies for surviving in the desert. This event makes abstract concepts tangible by linking them to real survival skills, making learning memorable and relevant.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Energy Explorers: Understanding Desert Dynamics
Students will embark on a journey to explore the concept of energy and how it is observed and utilized in the UAE desert environment. Through hands-on activities and research, students will gain a foundational understanding of energy principles in a real-world context.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 well-researched poster demonstrating the significance of energy in the desert.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the understanding of energy principles as part of the standard 4-PS3-3.Collision Detectives: Investigating Energy Transfer
In this activity, students will act as forensic scientists to investigate how collisions affect energy transfer between objects in the desert. By analyzing different scenarios, they will make predictions and ask questions about energy changes.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityExperimental reports documenting students' understanding of energy transfer through collisions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers the aspect of asking questions and predicting outcomes about energy changes during collisions, as per the 4-PS3-3 standard.Friction Investigators: The Desert Challenge
This activity guides students to explore the role of friction in energy transfer during collisions through practical examples in the desert. Students will learn how friction affects motion and energy in a unique environment.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 series of observations and conclusions on how friction impacts energy transfer in desert collisions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the understanding of friction's role in energy transfer, related to standard 4-PS3-3.Desert Innovators: Designing Sustainable Solutions
Students will apply their understanding of energy and collisions to design sustainable and safe solutions suitable for the desert environment. They'll use their knowledge to tackle real-world problems innovatively.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityPrototypes or models showcasing innovative desert solutions that utilize knowledge of energy and collisions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsApplies knowledge of energy and collisions to create sustainable solutions, fulfilling key aspects of the 4-PS3-3 standard.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioDesert Energy and Collision Mastery Rubric
Conceptual Understanding of Energy
Evaluates the student's grasp of energy concepts as they relate to the desert environment.Understanding of Energy Forms
Assessment of students' ability to identify and describe different forms of energy observed in the desert.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and thoroughly explains multiple forms of energy in the desert with clear examples.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and describes different forms of energy in the desert with appropriate examples.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some forms of energy in the desert but provides limited descriptions or examples.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify and describe forms of energy in the desert.
Significance of Energy in Desert Ecosystem
Measures the ability to articulate the role and significance of energy within desert ecosystems.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a detailed explanation of energy's role and importance in desert ecosystems, supported by specific examples.
Proficient
3 PointsExplains energy's role and significance in desert ecosystems with relevant examples.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to explain energy's role in desert ecosystems but lacks depth or specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal or inaccurate explanations of energy's role in ecosystems.
Energy Resources Identification
Ability to identify various energy resources found in the desert and their uses.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and confidently discusses a wide range of energy resources with detailed uses in desert settings.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies several energy resources with a clear description of their uses in the desert.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies few energy resources and gives limited or unclear descriptions of their uses.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify or describe energy resources in the desert.
Understanding of Energy Transfer in Collisions
Evaluates students' insights into energy transfer dynamics during collisions.Experimental Design and Documentation
Ability to design, conduct, and document experiments related to energy transfer in collisions.
Exemplary
4 PointsDesigns innovative and complex experiments; provides thorough documentation and analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsDesigns clear, effective experiments; provides detailed observations and analyses.
Developing
2 PointsDesigns basic experiments with incomplete observations or analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to design experiments or provide accurate documentation.
Understanding of Collision Effects
Assessment of students' comprehension of how collisions affect energy transfer.
Exemplary
4 PointsExplains collision effects on energy transfer with precision and uses applicable theories.
Proficient
3 PointsDescribes collision effects and energy transfer with correct examples and reasoning.
Developing
2 PointsOffers a basic explanation of collision effects but lacks depth and clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides little or inaccurate explanation of collision effects on energy transfer.
Application of Knowledge in Real-World Contexts
Measures the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems.Design of Sustainable Solutions
Assessment of creativity and effectiveness in applying knowledge to design sustainable solutions for desert challenges.
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops highly creative, sustainable solutions with comprehensive understanding applied aptly to desert scenarios.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates effective, sustainable solutions that apply theoretical knowledge appropriately.
Developing
2 PointsSuggests solutions with some application of knowledge but lacks creativity or coherence.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to propose solutions or apply knowledge to desert challenges.
Collaboration and Presentation
Evaluates the student's ability to collaborate productively and present their work effectively.
Exemplary
4 PointsExhibits strong leadership in team settings and presents findings clearly and persuasively.
Proficient
3 PointsWorks well in teams, contributing ideas; presents findings with clarity and appropriate detail.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates in team activities but provides inconsistent contributions; presentation lacks detail or clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsOffers minimal contribution to team efforts; struggles with presentation skills.