Earth System Webquest

NGSS Earth’s System MS-ESS2-1 through MS-ESS2-6

2017 Black-Eyed Susan Science

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Name ___________ Date ___________

Period ___________

Earth System Webquest

Ø Introduction:

What is the Earth system? A system is a group of parts that work together. Scientists have started to view Earth as a dynamic system – a combination of different parts that interact, forming a collective whole or entity. The Earth system involves a constant flow of matter through its four different parts. The Earth system is made up of four central components known as the subsystems- the hydrosphere (water), geosphere (rock), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life). Because a major source of energy for the Earth processes is the sun, it should also be considered part of the Earth system. The two main sources of energy for the Earth system are (1) heat from sun and (2) heat flowing out of Earth as it cools.

View the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4chsOyTLw

Ø Task: At the end of this webquest, you will be presented with a photograph. You will have to choose one part of the Earth system and describe how the other parts might be affected if the first part were removed.

Ø Process: View the following videos in their entirety, then re-watch them. Pausing them when needed to complete the tables and box below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMxjzWHbyFM&t=61s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXh_7wbnS3A&t=12s

Vocabulary Word Definition

Biome

Geosphere

Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Atmosphere

Root Word Comes from Greek word for:

Geo Bio

Hydro Atmos

The different _______________ work together to help make our planet what it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkrAIz_Ha6E

Label the parts of the following diagram:

Approximately ¾ Earth is covered by with water. Earth’s water can be solid (frozen), liquid, or a gas (vapor). It can be above ground, below ground, or in the air. Of the surface water, most is the salt water in the oceans. Only a tiny part of the hydrosphere is fresh water that is safe for humans to drink. Ø View the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5G4NCwWUxY&t=1s

Ø Visit the following site and complete the activity:

https://www.ck12.org/assessment/tools/geometry-tool/plix.html?eId=SCI.BIO.414&questionId=55ca72a65aa4135b73af5822&artifactID=2180858&conceptCollectionHandle=biology-::-water-

cycle&collectionCreatorID=3&backUrl=https%3A//www.ck12.org/embed/&embedded=true&noReturn=true&plix_redirect=1 How did you do on the PLIX? _______________________________ ___________________________________________________ ***Energy from the sun---The sun provides energy, mostly in the form of heat and light.

1. Why is the sun’s heat important to Earth in regard to the water cycle? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How is sunlight important to the biosphere? __________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Complete the following Venn Diagram: 2017 Black-Eyed Susan Science

Fish Bowl Earth System

3. Explain what affect gravity has on Earth’s spheres.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How do rivers and moving water affect the land? ______________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ø Study the following photograph taken in Antarctica in 1921:

Choose one part of the Earth system- water, air, rock, or life- and describe how the other parts might be effected if the first part were removed. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ø Conclusion:

The Earth system is made up of four central components known as the subsystems- the hydrosphere (water), geosphere (rock), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life). Because a major source of energy for the Earth processes is the sun, it should also be considered part of the Earth system. The two main sources of energy for the Earth system are (1) heat from sun and (2) heat flowing out of Earth as it cools.

EVALUATION RUBRIC:

1

2

3

Following Directions

I did not follow directions and had a

difficult time understanding what to

do.

I followed directions, but had a difficult time

staying on task and had to be reminded at

times.

I followed all directions and was

always on task.

Completion of Task

I did not complete over half of the task.

I did not complete the entire task, but did complete over half.

I completed the entire task.

Use of Resources

I did not use all the

resources.

I used most of the

resources well.

I used all the resources well to complete the

task.

Written Answers

My work was sloppy.

My work was okay, but I could have done

better.

My work was neat and all parts were

included.

Description of Earth System with one

Sphere Removed

I used few scientific words and facts to

describe the effects on the other three spheres.

I used many scientific words and facts to

describe the effects on the other three

spheres.

I used scientific words

and facts to completely describe the effects on the

other three spheres. 2017 Black-Eyed Susan Science

Teacher Page:

This engaging and exciting webquest can be completed individually, with partners, or in groups. The purpose of this webquest is for students to learn about or review the Earth System which is comprised of four spheres: the Geosphere, Biosphere, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere. Students are presented with a scenario and must complete an explanation at the end of the webquest. This activity guides students through exploring information, examples, and videos about Earth’s spheres.

The performance expectations in ESS2: Earth’s Systems, help students formulate an answer to questions such as: “How do the materials in and on Earth’s crust change over time, How does the movement of tectonic plates impact the surface of Earth, How does water influence weather, circulate in the oceans, and shape Earth’s surface, What factors interact and influence weather, and How have living organisms changed the Earth and how have Earth’s changing conditions impacted living organisms?” The ESS2 Disciplinary Core Idea from the NRC Framework is broken down into five sub-ideas: Earth materials and systems, plate tectonics and large-scale system interactions, the roles of water in Earth’s surface processes, weather and climate, and biogeology. Students understand how Earth’s geosystems operate by modeling the flow of energy and cycling of matter within and among different systems. Students investigate the controlling properties of important materials and construct explanations based on the analysis of real geoscience data. Of special importance in both topics are the ways that geoscience processes provide resources needed by society but also cause natural hazards that present risks to society; both involve technological challenges, for the identification and development of resources. Students develop understanding of the factors that control weather. A systems approach is also important here, examining the feedbacks between systems as energy from the sun is transferred between systems and circulates though the ocean and atmosphere. The crosscutting concepts of patterns, cause and effect, scale proportion and quantity, systems and system models, energy and matter, and stability and change are called out as organizing concepts for these disciplinary core ideas. In the ESS2 performance expectations, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations; and to use these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas. Students who demonstrate understanding can: 5-ESS2-1.

Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphereinteract. [Clarification Statement: Examples could include the influence of the ocean on ecosystems, landform shape, and climate; the influence of the atmosphere on landforms and ecosystems through weather and climate; and the influence of mountain ranges on winds and clouds in the atmosphere. The geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are each a system.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to the interactions of two systems at a time.]

2017 Black-Eyed Susan Science

Credits and Copyright

Black-Eyed Susan Science Graphics: MyCuteGraphics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4chsOyTLw Crash Course Kids Next Generation Science Standards Ck-12 Interactive Science: Earth’s Structures, Pearson