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Notes for Teachers

Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom or can be done in the classroom or outdoors. It will take 3 days. Day 1 research and design, Day 2 test, Day 3 analyze and draw conclusions.
Students work in groups of 4.
An emphasis is on materials and design that can prevent erosion.
The purpose of the presentation is to share techniques that may prevent erosion.

List of Materials per team:

soil, dirt, or sand (gallon bucket of)
tray or cookie sheet
tablecloth (or do outside)
2 rulers taped together side by side
pitcher or large cup
water
spray bottle
random materials:

pebbles
sand
popsicle sticks
toothpicks
styro cups
string
paper towels

Natural Disasters: Preventing Erosion Lab Report

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Arizona Science Standards

Science and Engineering Practices

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate and communicate information

8.E1U3.7 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about data and historical patterns to predict natural hazards and other geological events.

Arizona ELA Standards

8.W.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.

b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.

c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. d. Establish and maintain a formal style.

e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

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Objectives:

The student will design and create a plan to prevent erosion on a model.

The student will analyze data and write a conclusion.

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Agenda

Day 1: 60 minutes

Introduction, research, and design development

Day 2: 60 minutes

Build and test

Day 3: 60 minutes

Write an analysis and conclusion

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

Introduce the lesson by showing the students some videos of collapsing roads due to flooding or extreme rain. Roads washed out after torrential rain soaks Oregon and Part of California road collapses following intense storms, flooding,
Discuss what might be the cause of the road collapsing, breaking, or sliding away.
Discuss what phenomena might be at play.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Day 1: 60 minutes

Research and Design Development

Have students do research on flooding and issues with roads and record their findings on the worksheet.
Once students have researched, put them in groups of 3-4. Show the videos again. Have the group work together to explain what is happening in the video regarding the natural disaster of flooding and road construction using what they learned from their research.
After discussing, have groups share out.
Go over the materials, how to set up the dirt on the tray with the model of the road (rulers) on top. Go over procedures.
Students work in their groups to design a way to prevent erosion on their model. Students follow the worksheet to draw their plans.
Teams share their plans with other teams and revise.

Day 2: 60 minutes

Build and Test

Groups set up their models, test them according to their design and record their data or findings.
As students work, they should revise and retest their design until they get their best model to help prevent erosion.
Students complete the worksheet.

Day 3: 60 minutes

Write an analysis and conclusion

Individuals look at their information on their worksheet to write an analysis and a conclusion.
Groups share their findings with others in the room.
Share and discuss.

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Assessment

Informal:

Observe students as they work. Encourage accuracy in testing and revision.

Formal:

Use the lab report to grade students work:

Claim- (thorough and it explains why) 5 points

Research - (cited and 7 cool facts) 5 points

Variables - 2 point each

Design - (specific, accurate, explains what they are measuring and how) 5 points each

Data - (accuracy, clarity) 5 points

Analysis - (complete, at least 5 sentences) 5 points

Conclusion - (complete and thorough, reflective and discusses knowledge of strategies to prevent erosion, at least 5 sentences )- 5 points

Sharing - (sharing their designs and various versions. Defending what design was the the best) - 5 points

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Differentiation

Use sentence starters for the analysis and conclusion.

Have students answer a series of questions to break down the analysis and conclusion.

Offer several design ideas.

Limit the types of materials from which to choose.

Have students write their analysis and conclusion together or have them do so orally.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Research issues with roads and erosion in developed versus developing countries.

Have students test their designs with different materials and differing amounts of water.

Design and test models of different types of road construction material.

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