Interactive Earth System Mapping
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create an interactive map to represent and analyze the complex interactions within the Earth system, including the impact of human activities and potential consequences of disrupting its balance?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do the different spheres of the Earth system interact with each other?
- How do the interactions between Earth's spheres affect the flow of energy and matter?
- How can we represent the interactions within the Earth system on a map?
- How do human activities impact the Earth system and its spheres?
- What are the potential consequences of disrupting the balance within the Earth system?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to describe the interactions between the different spheres of the Earth system.
- Students will be able to explain how energy and matter flow within the Earth system.
- Students will be able to create a visual representation (interactive map) of the Earth system and its interactions.
- Students will be able to analyze the impact of human activities on the Earth system.
- Students will be able to predict the potential consequences of disrupting the balance within the Earth system.
NGSS
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsMysterious Island Postcard
Students receive a postcard from a fictional island nation detailing a sudden and drastic change in their local environment. They must use Earth system science principles to figure out what's happening on the island and advise the islanders. This sparks curiosity about interconnected Earth systems.'Local Food Web Challenge'
Students investigate a local food web and trace the flow of energy and matter through the ecosystem. A sudden 'disruption' is introduced (e.g., invasive species, pollution), and students must model the cascading effects on the entire food web. This activity encourages systems thinking and highlights the impact of human activities on the environment.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Sphere Interaction Explorers
Students investigate the four spheres of Earth (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere) and their basic interactions.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 chart or diagram showcasing the four spheres and their interactions, including specific examples.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses Learning Goal 1 (describing interactions between Earth's spheres) and partially covers MS-ESS-2 (modeling Earth's materials cycling).Energy and Matter Flow Trackers
Students trace the flow of energy and matter through specific Earth system processes (e.g., the water cycle, carbon cycle).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 flowchart or diagram explaining how energy and matter flow within chosen Earth system processes.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses Learning Goal 2 (explaining energy and matter flow) and aligns with MS-ESS-2 (modeling energy flow).Interactive Map Design Blueprint
Students design the basic structure and elements of their interactive Earth system map, focusing on how to visually represent interactions and data.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 sketch or digital blueprint of the interactive map design, including key elements, layout, and data layers.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses Learning Goal 3 (creating a visual representation) and prepares for MS-ESS-2 (developing a model).Human Impact Hotspot Analysis
Students investigate specific examples of human activities impacting the Earth system and analyze their consequences.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 report or presentation detailing the impacts of selected human activities on the Earth system, including data and visual evidence.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses Learning Goal 4 (analyzing human impact), aligns with MS-ESS-3 (analyzing data on natural hazards), and MS-ESS3-3 (monitoring and minimizing human impact).Consequence Prediction Simulation
Students use their interactive map and research to predict the potential consequences of disrupting the balance within the Earth system, focusing on specific 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 report or presentation predicting the consequences of a disruption, using the interactive map as a predictive tool.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses Learning Goal 5 (predicting consequences of disruption), aligns with MS-ESS-3 (forecasting catastrophic events), and integrates MS-LS-2.1 (resource availability impacts) and MS-LS-2.2 (patterns of interactions among organisms).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioInteractive Earth System Mapping Rubric
Sphere Interaction Understanding
Demonstrates understanding of the components, characteristics, and interactions between the Earth's four spheres (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere).Sphere Definition
Accuracy and completeness of defining each of the four Earth spheres.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides comprehensive and accurate definitions of all four spheres, including key components and characteristics, showing a deep understanding of each sphere's role.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides accurate definitions of all four spheres, including most key components and characteristics.
Developing
2 PointsProvides mostly accurate definitions of the four spheres, but may miss some key components or characteristics.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to define the four spheres accurately, with significant omissions or misconceptions.
Interaction Identification
Ability to identify and explain interactions between different pairs of Earth spheres.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and explains multiple complex interactions between all sphere pairs, providing specific examples and demonstrating a nuanced understanding of interconnectedness.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and explains interactions between most sphere pairs, providing relevant examples.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some interactions between sphere pairs, but explanations may be incomplete or lack specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify or explain interactions between sphere pairs, with significant misunderstandings.
Energy and Matter Flow Analysis
Demonstrates understanding of how energy and matter flow through specific Earth system processes (e.g., water cycle, carbon cycle).Process Explanation
Clarity and accuracy of explaining the chosen Earth system process.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a clear, concise, and accurate explanation of the chosen Earth system process, including key inputs, outputs, and transformations, demonstrating a deep understanding of the cycle.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides an accurate explanation of the chosen Earth system process, including most key inputs, outputs, and transformations.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the chosen Earth system process, but may miss some key inputs, outputs, or transformations.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain the chosen Earth system process accurately, with significant omissions or misconceptions.
Flow Representation
Effectiveness of the visual representation (flowchart or diagram) in illustrating the energy and matter flow.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a highly effective and visually appealing flowchart or diagram that clearly and accurately illustrates the flow of energy and matter within the chosen process. The representation is easy to understand and well-organized.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates an effective flowchart or diagram that accurately illustrates the flow of energy and matter within the chosen process.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a flowchart or diagram that attempts to illustrate the flow of energy and matter, but may contain inaccuracies or be difficult to understand.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to create a flowchart or diagram that accurately represents the flow of energy and matter, with significant omissions or inaccuracies.
Interactive Map Design and Functionality
Effectiveness of the interactive map design in representing Earth system interactions and data.Design Clarity
Clarity and organization of the interactive map design.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a highly clear, intuitive, and well-organized map design with effective use of visual elements and navigation features. The layout facilitates easy understanding of Earth system interactions and data layers.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear and organized map design with effective use of visual elements and navigation features.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a map design that is somewhat clear and organized, but may have some confusing elements or lack effective navigation features.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a map design that is unclear, disorganized, and difficult to navigate.
Data Integration
Appropriateness and integration of data layers into the interactive map.
Exemplary
4 PointsIncorporates relevant and diverse data layers seamlessly into the interactive map, enhancing the ability to analyze Earth system interactions and potential consequences. Data layers are effectively visualized and interpreted.
Proficient
3 PointsIncorporates relevant data layers into the interactive map, enhancing the ability to analyze Earth system interactions.
Developing
2 PointsIncorporates some data layers into the interactive map, but their relevance or integration may be limited.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to incorporate relevant data layers into the interactive map, or the data is presented ineffectively.
Human Impact Analysis
Analysis of specific human activities impacting the Earth system and their consequences.Activity Selection
Relevance and significance of the selected human activities.
Exemplary
4 PointsSelects highly relevant and significant human activities with well-documented environmental impacts, demonstrating a strong understanding of the relationship between human actions and Earth system processes.
Proficient
3 PointsSelects relevant and significant human activities with documented environmental impacts.
Developing
2 PointsSelects human activities with some environmental impacts, but their relevance or significance may be limited.
Beginning
1 PointsSelects human activities with questionable environmental impacts or demonstrates a lack of understanding of their significance.
Impact Explanation
Thoroughness and accuracy of explaining the impacts of selected human activities on the Earth system.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a thorough and accurate explanation of the impacts of selected human activities on different Earth spheres, including specific data and visual evidence. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough and accurate explanation of the impacts of selected human activities on the Earth system.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the impacts of selected human activities, but may lack specific data or visual evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain the impacts of selected human activities accurately, with significant omissions or misconceptions.
Consequence Prediction and Modeling
Ability to predict the potential consequences of disrupting the Earth system using the interactive map and gathered data.Scenario Selection
Relevance and plausibility of the chosen disruption scenario.
Exemplary
4 PointsSelects a highly relevant and plausible disruption scenario that has the potential to significantly impact the Earth system, demonstrating a strong understanding of real-world challenges.
Proficient
3 PointsSelects a relevant and plausible disruption scenario that has the potential to impact the Earth system.
Developing
2 PointsSelects a disruption scenario that may have limited relevance or plausibility.
Beginning
1 PointsSelects a disruption scenario that is unrealistic or lacks a clear connection to the Earth system.
Prediction Accuracy
Accuracy and justification of predicted short-term and long-term consequences.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides accurate and well-justified predictions of both short-term and long-term consequences, supported by evidence from the interactive map and gathered data. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of system dynamics and feedback loops.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides accurate and justified predictions of both short-term and long-term consequences, supported by evidence.
Developing
2 PointsProvides predictions of short-term and long-term consequences, but the accuracy or justification may be limited.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to predict the consequences of the disruption scenario accurately or provide adequate justification.