Description
SciPacks are 10 hour online learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers access topics “on demand” from the Internet. Topics are based on science literacy goals in the national standards and tied to state standards. Pedagogical Implications also address student misconceptions. Expert content help is available via email as well as a final assessment to demonstrate understanding of the SciPack content.
The Earth, Sun, and Moon SciPack explores the phenomena that can be explained by the position and motion of Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. The focus is on topics supporting Standards and Benchmarks related to the heating of Earth’s surface by the Sun, phases of the Moon, and the apparent changes in the position of objects in the night sky. This SciPack also includes some of the basic details about Earth, including the characteristics that make it unique in our solar system, its composition, and its capacity to support life.
Ideas For Use
SciPacks are ten hour discrete learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Each SciPack contains a collection of three to five free Science Objects, which provide an understanding of the science content that supports curricula requirements by providing a structured set of learning experiences through simulations and practice assessments. Science Objects challenge teachers to explore and explain real world phenomena. Science Objects are founded on the principle that learners must be challenged with a problem, observation, data, etc., in order to develop scientific understanding. Science Objects present problems, phenomena, demonstrations, and simulations utilizing inquiry-based learning.
In addition to comprehensive inquiry-based learning materials tied to Science Education Standards and Benchmarks, the SciPack includes the following additional components:
- Pedagogical Implications section addressing common misconceptions, teaching resources and strand maps linking grade band appropriate content to standards.
- Access to one-on-one support via e-mail to content “Wizards”.
- Final Assessment which can be used to certify mastery of the concepts.
Learning Outcomes:
Earth, Sun, and Moon: General Characteristics of Earth
- Recognize basic characteristics of Earth's surface using system terminology (lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)
- Describe observational evidence used to determine that Earth is a sphere and not flat
- Model the relative proportions of structural components of Earth including thickness of crust, atmosphere, and depth of hydrosphere
- Identify the characteristics of Earth that make it habitable for a wide range of plant and animal species
- Explain the factors that make Earth the only planet
Earth, Sun, and Moon: Our Moving Earth
- Describe evidence used in determining that Earth rotates once a day on its axis
- Describe how apparent motions of the Sun, the Moon, and the stars can be explained by the rotation of Earth
- Explain the nature of Earth’s orbital path around the Sun
- Explain how the orbital motion of Earth causes different constellations to be visible at different times of the year
Earth, Sun, and Moon: Motion of the Moon
- Explain how the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and the Moon produce the moon’s phases
- Describe the motion of the Moon as seen from Earth and space
- Explain why only a portion of the lit side of the Moon is visible from Earth at any given time
- Predict the phase of the Moon that occurs when given the relative positions of the moon and Earth with respect to the Sun
- Select one of the primary phases of the Moon and predict when that phase will rise and set
- Describe how the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and the Moon produce lunar and solar eclipses
- Explain why there aren't solar and lunar eclipses every month when the Moon is new or full
Earth, Sun, and Moon: Earth’s Seasons
- Explain that seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis to the plane of its orbit
- Explain the nature of Earth’s elliptical orbit and give the approximate dates of aphelion and perihelion
- Recognize that Earth’s axis of rotation does not change angle or direction with respect to the stars as it orbits the Sun
- Identify which points in Earth's orbit around the Sun correspond to each of our four seasons
- Explain how the changes in the angle of incoming solar radiation result in differential heating of Earth's surface and corresponding differences in temperature and climate
- Identify the reasons why the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere