Earth in Space: Week 7

Please Do These Lessons...

Day 1

Introducing the Cross Cutting Concept of Cause & Effect

View Bozeman science video Cause and Effect.

  • What systems can you notice about our changing planet? For example:

    1. When do you see the sun, moon, and stars? Can you describe or model the movement of these objects in the sky?

    2. What else do you see in the sky? Can you model the movement of those objects?

    3. Are there details, such as seen and unseen forces, that you can include in your model?

    4. Can you connect those to the movement of the Earth, Sun, and moon?

    5. What influences what?

Day 2

What is the relationship between the phase of the Moon and extreme tides?

Use this modified SEPUP activity to investigate this relationship.

Next, read about these four tidal curiosities. After you read you can revise or add to your response to the inquiry question (#5 on the activity sheet).

Day 3

NASA/SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida

MAY 27: NASA/SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This is the first crewed launch from the US since 2011. You can read about the launch and the two astronauts here. The launch is scheduled for 1:32 Pacific/4:32 Eastern, and coverage will begin well before the launch window. You can watch this historic launch on NASA TV.

Day 4

Reflection on what you learned

What did you learn this week about the moon’s relationship to the tides?

Use this graphic organizer to share one example of cause and effect for something that you learned this week.

Ideas for optional independent investigations:

Day 5 - Funday Friday!

Build a paper structure

Materials: paper (Newspaper, junk mail, index cards, etc.) 2 feet of tape.

Challenge: Using only the materials from the list above, create a freestanding structure that is at least one foot high and can hold a small stuffed animal or toy.

Think about it:

  • What are some strong shapes that you can see in bridges or towers?

  • Could you combine the tape and paper to make a stronger material?

  • What’s the most important use of your tape?

  • After you test: If you did this again, what would you do differently?

Use the Engineering Design Process to build your structure:

  • Define: What is it that needs to be accomplished?

  • Brainstorm: What are your ideas for meeting the criteria of the challenge?

  • Plan: Draw and discuss your design.

  • Make It! and then Test It!

Improve: Make it better by repeating the Engineering Design Process again!