Cataclysmic Earth – TSP
EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE :
Weather and Climate
Total Unit Running Time: 30-40* minutes
FIELD TRIP: Iceland’s Geographical Impacts
Running Time: 4:53
NGSS: HS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS2-5
Brave the cold with VVR Host, Steve Grubbs, to get a glimpse of various spots around Reykjavik, Iceland: The Blue Lagoon, a geyser, and a tranquil waterfall. The geography of this land, formed from volcanic eruptions over time, helps tell the story about environmental impacts to climate change. For more information about The Blue Lagoon, visit
https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/iceland_bluelagoon
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE : Neon Pulse
Running Time: Self-paced*
Fashioned in a 1980s aesthetic, this interactive game allows students to choose their racing level and then maneuver their vehicles while answering questions based on unit content. Physics-based driving controls and track design seamlessly blend learning and gaming along the colorful routes. Shortcut opportunities embedded in the tracks are awarded for skilled driving and quick thinking.
STORY: Tornado Ted
Running Time: 7:08
NGSS: HS-ESS2-4
Topics Covered
- Mini-biography on Tetsuya Fujita
- Characteristics of tornadoes
- Tornado tracking technology
Assessment Answer Key & Critical Thinking Skills
- D (BT1—knowledge)
- D (BT2—comprehension)
- C (BT2—comprehension)
- C (BT4—analysis)
- A (BT4—analysis)
JOURNEY: Biodiversity: Interrelatedness
Running Time: Self-paced*
NGSS: HS-ESS3-5
Assessment Answer Key & Critical Thinking Skills
- A (BT4—analysis)
- D (BT6—evaluation)
- B (BT4—analysis)
- D (BT2—comprehension)
- C (BT4—analysis)
TEACHER DEMO : Monitoring Glaciers With Wendy
Running Time: 7:40
NGSS: HS-ESS3-5
Vocabulary: permafrost
Topics Covered
- Retreating vs Advancing glaciers
- Global climate change & glacier status
Assessment Answer Key & Critical Thinking Skills
- A (BT1—knowledge)
- D (BT2—comprehension)
- C (BT4—analysis)
- B (BT6—evaluation)
- D (BT2—comprehension)
RELATED STEM CAREERS: Climatologist, Park Ranger, Fish & Wildlife Manager, Meteorologist
Science Standards:
NGSS: HS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS3-5; TEKS: 112.36(c.2.E), 112.36(c.2.F), 112.36(c.2.G), 112.36(c.3.D), 112.36(c.3.E), 112.36(c.3.F), 112.36(c.10.C), 112.36(c.10.F), 112.36(c.11.A), 112.36(c.11.B), 112.36(c.13.A), 112.36(c.13.C), 112.36(c.13.D), 112.36(c.14.B), 112.36(c.15.B), 112.36(c.15.D), 112.37(c.3.D), 112.37(c.4.H), 112.37(c.8.A), 112.37(c.8.B), 112.37(c.8.D), 112.37(c.8.E), 112.37(c.9.E), 112.37(c.9.F), 112.37(c.9.H), 112.37(c.9.I); CPALMS: SC.912.E.6.2, SC.912.E.6.4, SC.912.E.7.5, SC.912.E.7.6, SC.912.E.7.7, SC.912.L.17.1, SC.912.L.17.4, SC.912.L.17.8, SC.912.L.17.12, SC.912.L.17.13, SC.912.L.17.15, SC.912.L.17.16, SC.912.L.17.17, SC.912.L.17.18, SC.912.L.17.20, SC.912.N.1.6, SC.912.N.1.7, SC.912.N.2.5, SC.912.N.3.5, SC.912.N.4.1, SC.912.N.4.2