Desertification Dilemma: Designing Resilient Solutions
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Desertification Dilemma: Designing Resilient Solutions

Grade 11Geography3 days
In the 'Desertification Dilemma: Designing Resilient Solutions' project, 11th-grade geography students explore the causes and effects of desertification and the interplay between Earth's physical systems and human activities. Through activities such as escape rooms, mind mapping, and infographics, students research and analyze how these factors influence desertification. The project culminates in students collaboratively designing sustainable solutions tailored to specific regions, blending ecological insight with social considerations. Students reflect on their learning, focusing on the complex interrelationships of natural processes and human impacts, and the importance of sustainable practices for local communities.
DesertificationEarth SystemsHuman ActivitiesSustainable SolutionsGeographyCollaborationResearch
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we collaboratively design effective and sustainable solutions to combat desertification in vulnerable regions by understanding and analyzing the causes, interactions, and roles of Earth's physical systems and human activities?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the primary causes and effects of desertification, and how do they vary by region?
  • How do Earth's physical systems interact to contribute to or mitigate desertification?
  • What roles do human activities play in the acceleration or reduction of desertification in various regions?
  • How can understanding the interrelationships among Earth's physical systems aid in designing effective solutions to combat desertification?
  • In what ways can local communities adapt to living in regions affected by desertification while promoting sustainable practices?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the primary causes and effects of desertification in various regions worldwide.
  • Analyze the interactions among Earth's physical systems and their role in desertification processes.
  • Evaluate the impact of human activities on desertification and propose ways to mitigate these impacts.
  • Design collaborative and sustainable solutions to combat desertification using an understanding of physical geography.
  • Conduct research to explore and propose adaptive strategies for communities in desertified regions.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2
Primary
Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth's surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.Reason: This standard involves analyzing data and understanding the interactions between different Earth systems, which is central to understanding and solving the desertification dilemma.
NGSS.HS-ESS3-1
Primary
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.Reason: Understanding how changes in climate and human activity impact desertification aligns with creating solutions to combat the phenomenon.

Common Core Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects

Common Core.WHST.11-12.7
Secondary
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem.Reason: Students will engage in research projects to come up with sustainable solutions for desertification, making this standard relevant.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Earth Systems Escape Room

A physical escape room with puzzles inspired by the physical systems of Earth and their roles in desertification. This interactive and challenging event will encourage students to think critically about interconnected systems.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Desertification Drivers Map

In this activity, students will create a mind map that identifies and organizes the primary causes of desertification. This will help students visually understand and categorize the factors contributing to desertification, setting the stage for deeper analysis.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the primary causes of desertification using various academic sources.
2. Use a mind mapping tool to organize these causes into related categories (e.g., climatic factors, human activities).
3. Include brief descriptions or examples under each category to provide further context.
4. Share mind maps in pairs to discuss and compare findings, refining the maps as necessary from peer feedback.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed mind map outlining the primary causes of desertification, categorized by type and accompanied by descriptions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the standard on analyzing the physical characteristics and interrelationships of Earth's physical systems by focusing on the primary causes of desertification.
Activity 2

Earth Systems Interaction Infographic

Students will create an infographic that illustrates the interactions between Earth's physical systems that contribute to desertification. This activity encourages students to visually synthesize complex systems' interactions, aiding in comprehension and communication.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify key Earth systems involved in desertification (e.g., atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere).
2. Research how each system interacts with others to influence desertification processes.
3. Design an infographic that visually depicts these interactions, using arrows or labels to show connections.
4. Include concise, informative text to explain each interaction on the infographic.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive infographic showing how Earth's systems interact to contribute to desertification.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports understanding of the interactions between Earth's systems as outlined in NGSS.HS-ESS2-2.
Activity 3

Human Impact Analysis Grid

This activity involves students in analyzing how human activities contribute to and can mitigate desertification. By compiling an analysis grid, students evaluate the dual role of human influence on the environment.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research different human activities that impact desertification in various regions.
2. Create a two-column grid to list activities that accelerate desertification on one side and those that mitigate it on the other.
3. Include specific examples and data where available for each type of activity.
4. Present analysis in small groups to discuss potential for balancing negative and positive impacts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analysis grid showcasing the contrasting impacts of human activities on desertification.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.HS-ESS3-1 by analyzing how human activities influence the environment and proposing mitigation strategies.
Activity 4

Sustainable Solution Design Proposal

Students will collaboratively design proposals for sustainable solutions to combat desertification. This activity synthesizes their understanding of environmental systems, research skills, and creative problem solving.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Formulate a group based on shared interest in a particular region affected by desertification.
2. Conduct in-depth research on the chosen region's specific challenges and opportunities related to desertification.
3. Draft a proposal outlining a sustainable solution, considering both environmental systems and social factors.
4. Prepare a presentation to share the proposal with the class, including potential challenges and benefits.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA design proposal for a sustainable solution to combat desertification, tailored to a specific region.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity covers Common Core.WHST.11-12.7 by engaging students in a research project that leads to a solution for a defined problem.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Desertification Solutions Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Research and Content Understanding

Evaluates the depth and accuracy of students' research into desertification causes, effects, and human impacts.
Criterion 1

Comprehension of Causes and Effects

Measures students' ability to identify and explain the primary causes and effects of desertification.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thoroughly identifies and articulates a comprehensive range of causes and effects with detailed explanations and examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately identifies most causes and effects and provides clear explanations with some examples.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some causes and effects but lacks depth in explanations and supporting examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify causes and effects with minimal explanations and few or no examples.

Criterion 2

Analysis of Human Impact

Assesses the student's ability to analyze how human activities influence desertification and propose mitigation strategies.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a detailed analysis with specific examples, effectively distinguishing between impacts that accelerate and mitigate desertification, and offers insightful mitigation strategies.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear analysis with examples and proposes practical mitigation strategies, with some differentiation between positive and negative impacts.

Developing
2 Points

Offers a basic analysis with limited examples or mitigation strategies, and some difficulty in differentiating impacts.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to analyze human impact, with few examples or mitigation strategies and minimal differentiation between impacts.

Category 2

Visual Representation and Communication

Assesses the effectiveness of visual aids and clarity in communicating complex interactions and solutions.
Criterion 1

Infographic Clarity and Detail

Evaluates the clarity, detail, and visual appeal of infographics that depict Earth systems interaction.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates an infographic that is visually engaging, highly detailed, and clearly illustrates complex interactions between Earth systems contributing to desertification.

Proficient
3 Points

Produces a clear and detailed infographic that effectively illustrates key interactions between Earth systems.

Developing
2 Points

Develops an infographic that communicates some interactions, but may lack detail or clarity.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to create a clear infographic, with minimal detail or representation of system interactions.

Criterion 2

Mind Map Organization and Insight

Measures the effectiveness and organization of mind maps to present desertification drivers.

Exemplary
4 Points

Organizes mind map with clear, insightful categories and connections, providing detailed descriptions and exemplary context.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates a well-organized mind map with clear categories, connections, and sufficient descriptions.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a mind map with some categorization and connections, but lacks depth in organization or description.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to organize mind map or identify connections, with limited categories or descriptions.

Category 3

Solution Design and Proposal

Evaluates the creativity, feasibility, and sustainability of solutions design proposals.
Criterion 1

Proposal Innovation and Feasibility

Measures students' ability to generate innovative and feasible solutions to desertification challenges.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposes highly innovative and feasible solutions, addressing both environmental and social factors comprehensively.

Proficient
3 Points

Offers practical and well-considered solutions that address key factors of desertification challenges.

Developing
2 Points

Suggests basic solutions with some consideration for environmental or social factors, though feasibility may be limited.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to propose feasible solutions, with minimal consideration for important factors.

Criterion 2

Teamwork and Presentation Skills

Assesses the ability to collaborate effectively and present solutions cohesively.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exemplifies strong teamwork, taking leadership roles, and presents coherently with engaging delivery and thorough explanation.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates effective teamwork and presents solutions clearly with informative delivery.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in team efforts and delivers a presentation with some clarity and detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with teamwork or presenting clearly, showing limited participation or ineffective communication.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on the overall learning experience you had while working on the 'Desertification Dilemma' project. What were the most significant insights or skills you gained?

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Question 2

How confident do you feel about your understanding of the interactions between Earth's physical systems and their role in desertification processes after completing the project?

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Question 3

Which aspect of the project did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome these challenges?

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Question 4

After completing the activities in this project, how important do you think it is for local communities to focus on sustainable practices to adapt to and mitigate desertification?

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Question 5

Reflect on the group work dynamics during the Sustainable Solution Design Proposal activity. How did your group function, and what did you learn about collaboration?

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Question 6

What role do you think human activities play in either accelerating or reducing desertification based on your research and findings in the Human Impact Analysis Grid activity?

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