Cycle 1

Prior to this cycle, students have developed and used models to explore how Earth’s 4.6 billion year history is organized using the geologic timescale. They analyzed rock and fossil sequences, and major events of Earth, to explain the evidence used to construct Earth’s history. Students also, analyzed and interpreted data to explain the evidence for past plate motion, including continental shapes, rock and fossil sequences across the globe, and the age of the seafloor. They develop models of plate motion, and considered the relationship between plate motion and natural disasters on Earth. They considered the time and spatial scale over which these Earth processes occur.
In this cycle students will communicate scientific information, using an infographic, that answers the module driving question: How can we as geoscientists and engineers use data to decide where and how to build structures to minimize damage from earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis? To begin, students will analyze and interpret data for the Haitian and Japanese earthquakes, and explain the factors that affect how severe a natural disaster is in a location. They will then analyze and interpret data for a given location, including topographic maps and earthquake, volcano, and tsunami hazard maps. Students will use this data to construct an argument for the optimal building site for a structure in their region. They will obtain information from multiple resources to determine technologies that can help mitigate the effects of a natural disaster in their region. Finally, students will share their infographics with their peers. They will give and receive feedback based on a set of criteria
This cycle synthesized the big ideas from concept 1-2. Students use their understanding of Earth history and Earth systems to determine the most suitable location for a building site.