Geology on Mars
(Earth Science) How can we search for evidence that other planets were once habitable? Anchor phenomenon: Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable Evidence that water was once present on a planet is evidence that the planet may once have had living organisms. In their role as student planetary geologists working to investigate the planet Mars, students investigate whether a particular channel on Mars was caused by flowing water or flowing lava. Along the way, students engage in the practices and ways of thinking particular to planetary geologists, and learn to consider a planet as a system of interacting subsystems. Earth, Moon, and Sun
(Earth Science) How can an astrophotographer plan for the best times to take photos of specific features on the Moon? Anchor phenomenon: An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times. Students take on the role of student astronomers, advising an astrophotographer who needs to take photographs of the Moon. In order to provide this advice, students investigate where the Moon’s light comes from, what causes the characteristic changes in the appearance of the Moon that we observe, and what conditions are required to view phenomena such as particular moon phases and lunar eclipses. Force and Motion (Physical Science)
What happened in the missing seconds when the space pod should have docked with the space station? Anchor phenomenon: The asteroid sample-collecting pod failed to dock at the space station as planned. In the role of student physicists, students help solve a physics mystery from outer space. A pod returning with asteroid samples should have stopped and docked at the space station. Instead, it is now moving back away from the station, and the video feed showing what happened in the seconds during which it reversed direction has been lost. Did the pod reverse before it got to the space station, or did it hit the station and bounced off? Students explore principles of force, motion, mass, and collisions as they solve this mystery. Force and Motion (Physical Science)
How can we design delivery pods that are damaged as little as possible when dropped? Anchor phenomenon: Designing emergency supply delivery pods with different structures can maintain the integrity of the supply pods and their contents. Students act as mechanical engineering interns to design delivery pods —pods of emergency supplies that will be dropped in areas experiencing a natural disaster. These delivery pods must meet three design criteria: 1) limiting the amount of damage to the cargo during the drop; 2) reusing the pod’s shell as much as possible (for example, as emergency shelter); and 3) minimizing the cost of the pod as much as possible. Students focus on the practice of analyzing data to deepen their understanding of force and motion. They also learn about how structure and function are interrelated to determine the integrity and, therefore, success of their pods. Magnetic Fields (Physical Science)
Why did the tests of a magnetic spacecraft launcher not go as planned? Anchor phenomenon: During a test launch, a spacecraft traveled much faster than expected. As student physicists consulting for the fictional Universal Space Agency, students work to understand the function of a magnetic spacecraft launcher (a simplified version of real technology currently under development). In particular, they seek to explain why a particular test launched the spacecraft much faster than expected. To do this, they investigate how magnets move some objects at a distance, the source of the energy for that movement, and what causes differences in the energy and forces involved. Light Waves (Physical Science)
Why is there a higher rate of skin cancer in Australia than in other parts of the world? Anchor phenomenon: The rate of skin cancer is higher in Australia than in other parts of the world. Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world: More than half of the people who live there will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. In their role as student spectroscopists, students gain a deeper understanding of how light interacts with materials, and how these interactions affect our world—from the colors we see, to changes caused by light from the sun such as warmth, growth, and damage. Students use what they learn about light to explain the causes of Australia’s skin cancer problem. Traits and Reproduction (Life Science)
Why do Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits even though they have the same parents? Anchor phenomenon: Darwin’s bark spider offspring have different silk flexibility traits, even though they have the same parents. Scientists and engineers are investigating possible ways spider silk can be used for medical purposes, such as for artificial tendons. Students act as student geneticists to investigate what causes variation in spider silk traits. Specifically, they explain why parent spiders have offspring with widely varied silk flexibility traits. They uncover the roles of proteins and genes and the way that genes are inherited. Natural Selection (Life Science)
What caused the newt population in Oregon State Park to become more poisonous? Anchor phenomenon: The newt population in Oregon State Park has become more poisonous over time. According to local legend around Oregon State Park, three unfortunate campers were found dead at their campsite and investigators found only one clue—a rough-skinned newt inside the coffeepot that the campers used to make their morning coffee. Student biologists investigate what caused the rough-skinned newts of Oregon State Park to become so poisonous by uncovering mechanisms of natural selection—investigating variation in populations, survival and reproduction, and mutation. Evolutionary History (Life Science)
Is this mystery fossil more closely related to wolves or to whales? Anchor phenomenon: A mystery fossil at the Natural History Museum has similarities with both wolves and whales. Students act as student paleontologists to discover the evolutionary history of a mystery fossil. Is this species more closely related to wolves or whales, and how did all three species change over time? Students learn how to interpret similarities and differences among fossils, investigate how natural selection can lead to one population becoming two different species, and investigate evolution over vast periods of time