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How can we connect people to the story of a Place?
How can we connect people to the story of a Place?
In this 7th grade science unit, students learn about Geology and Plate Tectonics as they explore the geological stories of places.
In this 7th grade science unit, students learn about Geology and Plate Tectonics as they explore the geological stories of places.
First, they will learn about Earth's beginnings. They will understand how our planet was formed and how the internal structure of the Earth leads to the movement of plates. They will begin to understand that the landscape we see out the window isn't static; it's constantly changing. We will focus on the concept of scale as they see the Earth's history modeled on non-human time scales. Eventually they will understand that the Earth is in constant flux with the surface changing shape over thousands and millions of years.
First, they will learn about Earth's beginnings. They will understand how our planet was formed and how the internal structure of the Earth leads to the movement of plates. They will begin to understand that the landscape we see out the window isn't static; it's constantly changing. We will focus on the concept of scale as they see the Earth's history modeled on non-human time scales. Eventually they will understand that the Earth is in constant flux with the surface changing shape over thousands and millions of years.
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Second, students will look at a case study: The White Mountains. They will learn about the 3 major mountain building events in New England's history and the long period of glaciation that followed.
Second, students will look at a case study: The White Mountains. They will learn about the 3 major mountain building events in New England's history and the long period of glaciation that followed.
Third, they will choose their own place of interest and work to connect people to the story of that place. What is the geological history of this place? What are the available natural resources? What are the major landforms and why are they there? What is its possible future?
Third, they will choose their own place of interest and work to connect people to the story of that place. What is the geological history of this place? What are the available natural resources? What are the major landforms and why are they there? What is its possible future?
For some students, the project will end there, but others who are willing and able to extend their project can look at the intersection of culture and geoscience. How do landforms and natural resource distributions shape the cultures and societies that evolve in a place? How does the land shape the people? The full story of a place includes the geology, culture, and the interplay between the two over vast expanses of time.
For some students, the project will end there, but others who are willing and able to extend their project can look at the intersection of culture and geoscience. How do landforms and natural resource distributions shape the cultures and societies that evolve in a place? How does the land shape the people? The full story of a place includes the geology, culture, and the interplay between the two over vast expanses of time.
Finally, students will be asked to get creative. Students will become content creators as they leverage technology to connect people with the story they wish to tell. They might create websites, use social media, record a podcast, or give a presentation locally. The requirement will be that they create something shareable and then share it.
Finally, students will be asked to get creative. Students will become content creators as they leverage technology to connect people with the story they wish to tell. They might create websites, use social media, record a podcast, or give a presentation locally. The requirement will be that they create something shareable and then share it.
All photos by Heidi Magario
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