Unit 1 - Age of the Earth

• Level 4: In addition to score 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught.
• Level 3:

A. Students will use reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to account for Earth's formation and age. HS-ESS1-6

B. Students will plan and conduct an investigation to explain how water changes surface features (erosion investigation: mechanical and/or chemical). HS-ESS2-

• Level 2:

A1. Students will use the ratio of parent to daughter atoms produced during radioactive decay as a means for determining ages of lunar rocks, meteorites and Earth’s oldest rocks to support the age of the Earth and solar system.

A2. Students will explain how we can use other objects in our solar system to learn about learn about the Earth (impact craters, planetary surface features and composition).

A3. Students will explain how Earth changes occur the same way now as in the past (uniformitarianism).

B1. Students will explain how a lack of impact craters and younger age of most rocks on Earth compared to other bodies in the solar system can be attributed to eroding forces on Earth’s surface.

B2. Students will conduct an investigation to observe how the structure of water causes mechanical (stream table) and chemical weathering and erosion (rocks in different pH).

• Level 1: Student’s performance reflects insufficient progress towards foundational skills and knowledge.