Expeditions In Ecology – TSP
EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE :
Human Sustainability
Total Unit Running Time: 30-40* minutes
FIELD TRIP : “Green” Materials
Running Time: 4:55
NGSS: HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3
Meet up with VVR Host, Steve Grubbs, in the Bayou of Louisiana as he examines “green” construction post-Hurricane Katrina. Learning about how the city of New Orleans is building in a more sustainable way, in many cases constructing LEED certified buildings, students will see how this below-sea-level city is getting it’s “green” on. For more information, visit https://new.usgbc.org/leed
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE : Clouds Over Yonder
Running Time: Self-paced*
Students control their flight through the sky while diving through rings as the way to select correct answers to questions posed in the clouds. Leaning forward and slightly turning their body allows students to control their flight speed and direction, avoiding abstract hazards in the atmosphere as they recall information they learned while completing other pieces of this unit.
STORY 1 : Goodness Gracious Great Garbage Gyres
Running Time: 5:42
NGSS: HS-ESS3-4
Topics Covered
- Cause & effect of plastic gyres in the ocean
- Hazards of plastic to marine life
- The Ocean Cleanup Project
Assessment Answer Key & Critical Thinking Skills
- A (BT4—analysis)
- D (BT1—knowledge)
- D (BT5—synthesis)
- A (BT1—knowledge)
- C (BT2—comprehension)
STORY 2 : Jambo The Whale Shark Running Time: 7:04
NGSS: HS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-6
Topics Covered
- Ocean acidification by CO2
- Biological magnification
- Oil spill impacts on marine life
Assessment Answer Key & Critical Thinking Skills
- D (BT5—synthesis)
- C (BT1—knowledge)
- A (BT3—application)
- D (BT6—evaluation)
- C (BT2—comprehension)
TEACHER DEMO: Repurposing With Wendy
Running Time: 8:54
NGSS: HS-ESS3-2
Vocabulary: bauxite, ingot
Topics Covered
- Stages of recycling aluminum
- Concepts of sustainability & recycling
Assessment Answer Key & Critical Thinking Skills
- A (BT1—knowledge)
- A (BT2—comprehension)
- B (BT3—application)
- A (BT4—analysis)
- D (BT5—synthesis)
RELATED STEM CAREERS: Mechanical / Environmental Engineer, Heavy Machine Operator, Project Manager
Science Standards:
NGSS: HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-6; TEKS: 112.32(c.5.C), 112.32(c.5.D), 112.32(c.9.C), 112.32(c.10.B), 112.32(c.11.A), 112.32(c.11.B), 112.32(c.12.A), 112.32(c.12.B), 112.32(c.12.C), 112.32(c.12.D), 112.34(c.12.F), 112.36(c.12.A), 112.36(c.12.C), 112.36(c.12.D), 112.36(c.12.E), 112.37(c.1.B), 112.37(c.2.I), 112.37(c.3.E), 112.37(c.3.B), 112.37(c.3.D), 112.37(c.3.F), 112.37(c.4.D), 112.37(c.5.A), 112.37(c.5.E), 112.37(c.5.F), 112.37(c.6.B), 112.37(c.8.A), 112.37(c.9.A), 112.37(c.9.B), 112.37(c.9.C), 112.37(c.9.D), 112.37(c.9.E),112.37(c.9.F), 112.37(c.9.I), 112.37(c.9.J), ; CPALMS: SC.912.L.17.5, SC.912.L.17.8, SC.912.L.17.13, SC.912.L.17.14, SC.912.L.17.15, SC.912.L.17.16, SC.912.L.17.17, SC.912.L.17.18, SC.912.L.17.19, SC.912.L.17.20, SC.912.N.4.1, S.912.N.4.2, SC.912.P.8.11