Constructing Activities Based on “Grand Challenges” Michael Wysession Washington University St. Louis, MO

Many recent efforts at compiling the Geoscience “Big Ideas” to help improve general geoscience literacy

The Earth Science Literacy “Big Ideas:” 1. Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet. 2. Earth is 4.6 billion years old. 3. Earth is a complex system of interacting rock, water, air and life. 4. Earth is continuously changing. 5. Earth is the water planet. 6. Life evolves on a dynamic Earth and continuously modifies Earth. 7. Humans depend on Earth for resources. 8. Natural hazards pose risks to humans. 9. Big Idea #9: Humans significantly alter the Earth.

What purpose do they serve?

The Framework for new K-12 National Science Standards Nine “Big Ideas” and 75 Supporting Concepts

A Framework for K-12 Science Education Standards

The Framework for new K-12 National Science Standards The Next Generation Science Standards

The SGT “Big Ideas:”

What purpose do they serve?

EARTHSCOPE 1. Imaging the Crust and Lithosphere 2. Active Deformation 3. Continental Evolution Through Time 4. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 5. Earthquakes, Faults, and the Rheology of the Lithosphere 6. Magmas and Volatiles in the Crust and Mantle 7. Topography and Tectonics: Elucidating Time-Space Patterns of Lithospheric Deformation 8. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, and Atmosphere 9. Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcano, and Landslide Hazards 10. Education and Outreach SEISMOLOGY 1. How do Faults Slip? 2. How Does the Near-Surface Environment Affect Natural Hazards and Resources? 3. What is the Relationship Between Stress and Strain in the Lithosphere? 4. How Do Processes in the Ocean and Atmosphere Interact With the Solid Earth? 5. Where Are Water and Hydrocarbons Hidden Beneath the Surface? 6. How Do Magmas Ascend and Erupt? 7. What is the Lithosphere- Asthenosphere Boundary? 8. How Do Plate Boundary Systems Evolve? 9. How Do Temperature and Composition Variations Control Mantle and Core Convection? 10. How Are Earth’s Internal Boundaries Affected by Dynamics? 11. Education and Outreach UNAVCO 1. Will the Global Population Have Enough Water to Sustain Itself? 2. How Will Earth Change as Sea Level Rises? 3. How Do Earth’s Glaciers and Ice Sheets Change on Timescales of Months to Decades to Centuries? 4. How Do Tectonic Plates Deform? 5. What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? 6. How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? 7. What are the Mechanics of Magmatic Systems? 8. Education and Outreach COMPRES 1. Earth’s Habitable Surface: A Consequence of the Planet’s Interior 2. The Magnetic Field, Earth’s Core, and the Deep Mantle 3. The Third Dimension of Plate Tectonics 4. Other Planets, Other Interiors 5. What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? 6. How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? 7. What are the Mechanics of Magmatic Systems? 8. Education and Outreach STRUCTURE/TEC TONICS 1. Surface – Deep Crust Connections 2. Strain and Strain Rates 3. Geodesy, Geodynamics, and Structural Geology 4. Faults, Earthquakes, and Structures 5. Rheology 6. Chemistry and Deformation 7. Climate

EARTHSCOPE 1. Imaging the Crust and Lithosphere 2. Active Deformation 3. Continental Evolution Through Time 4. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 5. Earthquakes, Faults, and the Rheology of the Lithosphere 6. Magmas and Volatiles in the Crust and Mantle 7. Topography and Tectonics: Elucidating Time-Space Patterns of Lithospheric Deformation 8. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, and Atmosphere 9. Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcano, and Landslide Hazards 10. Education and Outreach SEISMOLOGY 1. How do Faults Slip? 2. How Does the Near-Surface Environment Affect Natural Hazards and Resources? 3. What is the Relationship Between Stress and Strain in the Lithosphere? 4. How Do Processes in the Ocean and Atmosphere Interact With the Solid Earth? 5. Where Are Water and Hydrocarbons Hidden Beneath the Surface? 6. How Do Magmas Ascend and Erupt? 7. What is the Lithosphere- Asthenosphere Boundary? 8. How Do Plate Boundary Systems Evolve? 9. How Do Temperature and Composition Variations Control Mantle and Core Convection? 10. How Are Earth’s Internal Boundaries Affected by Dynamics? 11. Education and Outreach UNAVCO 1. Will the Global Population Have Enough Water to Sustain Itself? 2. How Will Earth Change as Sea Level Rises? 3. How Do Earth’s Glaciers and Ice Sheets Change on Timescales of Months to Decades to Centuries? 4. How Do Tectonic Plates Deform? 5. What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? 6. How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? 7. What are the Mechanics of Magmatic Systems? 8. Education and Outreach COMPRES 1. Earth’s Habitable Surface: A Consequence of the Planet’s Interior 2. The Magnetic Field, Earth’s Core, and the Deep Mantle 3. The Third Dimension of Plate Tectonics 4. Other Planets, Other Interiors 5. What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? 6. How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? 7. What are the Mechanics of Magmatic Systems? 8. Education and Outreach STRUCTURE/TEC TONICS 1. Surface – Deep Crust Connections 2. Strain and Strain Rates 3. Geodesy, Geodynamics, and Structural Geology 4. Faults, Earthquakes, and Structures 5. Rheology 6. Chemistry and Deformation 7. Climate

EARTHSCOPE Earthquakes, Faults, Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcano, and Landslide Hazards Active Deformation Topography/Tectonics: Lithos. Deformation Imaging the Crust and Lithosphere Magmas and Volatiles in Crust and Mantle Continental Evolution Through Time Rheology of the Lithosphere Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, and Atmosphere Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics SEISMOLOGY How do Faults Slip? How Does the Near-Surface Environment Affect Natural Hazards and Resources? Where Are Water and Hydrocarbons? How Do Plate Boundary Systems Evolve? What is the Lithosphere- Asthenosphere Boundary? How Do Magmas Ascend and Erupt? What is the Relationship Between Stress and Strain in the Lithosphere? How Do Processes in the Ocean and Atmosphere Interact With Solid Earth? How Do T & X Variations Control Mantle/Core Convection? How Are Earth’s Internal Boundaries Affected by Dynamics? UNAVCO What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? Will the Global Population Have Enough Water to Sustain Itself? How Do Tectonic Plates Deform? What are Mechanics of Magmatic Sys? How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? How Will Earth Change as Sea Level Rises? How Do Glaciers/Ice Sheets Change? COMPRES What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? Earth’s Habitable Surface: A Consequence of the Planet’s Interior What are the Mechanics of Magmatic Systems? How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? The Magnetic Field, Earth’s Core, and the Deep Mantle The Third Dimension of Plate Tectonics Other Planets, Other Interiors STRUCTURE/TEC TONICS Faults, Earthquakes, and Structures Chemistry and Deformation Surface/Deep Crust Connections Geodesy, Geodyn, &Structural Geo Rheology Strain and Strain Rates Climate

EARTHSCOPE Earthquakes, Faults, SEISMOLOGY How do Faults Slip? UNAVCO What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? COMPRES What Physical Processes Control Earthquakes? STRUCTURE /TECTONICS Faults, Earthquakes, and Structures SGT 1. Earthquake Processes

EARTHSCOPE Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcano, and Landslide Hazards SEISMOLOGY How Does the Near-Surface Environment Affect Natural Hazards and Resources? Where Are Water and Hydrocarbons? UNAVCO Will the Global Population Have Enough Water to Sustain Itself? COMPRES Earth’s Habitable Surface: A Consequence of the Planet’s Interior STRUCTURE /TECTONICS SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources

EARTHSCOPE Active Deformation Topography/Tecto nics: Lithospheric Deformation SEISMOLOGY How Do Plate Boundary Systems Evolve? UNAVCO How Do Tectonic Plates Deform? COMPRESSTRUCTURE /TECTONICS Chemistry and Deformation SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics

EARTHSCOPE Imaging the Crust and Lithosphere SEISMOLOGY What is the Lithosphere- Asthenosphere Boundary? UNAVCOCOMPRESSTRUCTURE /TECTONICS Surface/Deep Crust Connections SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure

EARTHSCOPE Magmas and Volatiles in Crust and Mantle SEISMOLOGY How Do Magmas Ascend and Erupt? UNAVCO What are Mechanics of Magmatic Sys? COMPRES What are the Mechanics of Magmatic Systems? STRUCTURE /TECTONICS SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes

EARTHSCOPE Continental Evolution Through Time SEISMOLOGYUNAVCO How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? COMPRES How Does Earth’s Surface Evolve? STRUCTURE /TECTONICS Geodesy, Geodynamics, and Structural Geo SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution

EARTHSCOPE Rheology of the Lithosphere SEISMOLOGYUNAVCOCOMPRESSTRUCTURE /TECTONICS Rheology SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology

EARTHSCOPESEISMOLOGY What is the Relationship Between Stress and Strain in the Lithosphere? UNAVCOCOMPRESSTRUCTURE /TECTONICS Strain and Strain Rates SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates

EARTHSCOPE Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, and Atmosphere SEISMOLOGY How Do Processes in the Ocean and Atmosphere Interact With Solid Earth? UNAVCO How Will Earth Change as Sea Level Rises? How Do Glaciers/Ice Sheets Change? COMPRESSTRUCTURE /TECTONICS Climate SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere

EARTHSCOPE Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics SEISMOLOGY How Do T & X Variations Control Mantle/Core Convection? How Are Earth’s Internal Boundaries Affected by Dynamics? UNAVCOCOMPRES The Magnetic Field, Earth’s Core, and the Deep Mantle The Third Dimension of Plate Tectonics STRUCTURE /TECTONICS SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere 10. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics

EARTHSCOPESEISMOLOGYUNAVCOCOMPRES Other Planets, Other Interiors STRUCTURE /TECTONICS SGT 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere 10. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 11. Other Planets

New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences (NROES) 1. The Early Earth 2. Thermo-Chemical Internal Dynamics and Volatile Distribution 3. Faulting and Deformation Processes 4. Interactions among Climate, Surface Processes, Tectonics, and Deep Earth Processes 5. Co-evolution of Life, Environment, and Climate 6. Coupled Hydrogeomorphic-Ecosystem Response to Natural and Anthropogenic Change 7. Biogeochemical and Water Cycles in Terrestrial Environments and Impacts of Global Change 8. Recent Advances in Geochronology Education and Outreach COMBINED 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere 10. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 11. Other Planets

New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences (NROES) 1. The Early Earth 2. Thermo-Chemical Internal Dynamics and Volatile Distribution 3. Faulting and Deformation Processes 4. Interactions among Climate, Surface Processes, Tectonics, and Deep Earth Processes 5. Co-evolution of Life, Environment, and Climate 6. Coupled Hydrogeomorphic-Ecosystem Response to Natural and Anthropogenic Change 7. Biogeochemical and Water Cycles in Terrestrial Environments and Impacts of Global Change 8. Recent Advances in Geochronology Education and Outreach COMBINED 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere 10. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 11. Other Planets

New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences (NROES) 1. The Early Earth 2. Thermo-Chemical Internal Dynamics and Volatile Distribution 3. Faulting and Deformation Processes 4. Interactions among Climate, Surface Processes, Tectonics, and Deep Earth Processes 5. Co-evolution of Life, Environment, and Climate 6. Coupled Hydrogeomorphic-Ecosystem Response to Natural and Anthropogenic Change 7. Biogeochemical and Water Cycles in Terrestrial Environments and Impacts of Global Change 8. Recent Advances in Geochronology Education and Outreach COMBINED 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere 10. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 11. Other Planets

New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences (NROES) 1. The Early Earth 2. Thermo-Chemical Internal Dynamics and Volatile Distribution 3. Faulting and Deformation Processes 4. Interactions among Climate, Surface Processes, Tectonics, and Deep Earth Processes 5. Co-evolution of Life, Environment, and Climate 6. Coupled Hydrogeomorphic-Ecosystem Response to Natural and Anthropogenic Change 7. Biogeochemical and Water Cycles in Terrestrial Environments and Impacts of Global Change 8. Recent Advances in Geochronology Education and Outreach COMBINED 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere 10. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 11. Other Planets

New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences (NROES) 1. The Early Earth 2. Thermo-Chemical Internal Dynamics and Volatile Distribution 3. Faulting and Deformation Processes 4. Interactions among Climate, Surface Processes, Tectonics, and Deep Earth Processes 5. Co-evolution of Life, Environment, and Climate 6. Coupled Hydrogeomorphic-Ecosystem Response to Natural and Anthropogenic Change 7. Biogeochemical and Water Cycles in Terrestrial Environments and Impacts of Global Change 8. Recent Advances in Geochronology Education and Outreach COMBINED 1. Earthquake Processes 2. Hazards and Resources 3. Active Tectonics 4. Lithosphere Structure 5. Magmatic Processes 6. Surface Evolution 7. Rheology 8. Stress, Strain, and Strain Rates 9. Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere 10. Deep Earth Structure and Dynamics 11. Other Planets

Mineral Physics Rheology Structural Geology Tectonics Geophysics Geodesy

What are the “Practices” that can bring out these “Big Ideas” at a college level?  Asking Questions and Defining Problems  Developing and Using Models  Planning and Carrying Out Investigations  Analyzing and Interpreting Data  Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking  Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions  Engaging in Argument from Evidence  Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

What are the “Practices” that can bring out these “Big Ideas” at a college level?  Asking Questions and Defining Problems  Developing and Using Models  Planning and Carrying Out Investigations  Analyzing and Interpreting Data  Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking  Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions  Engaging in Argument from Evidence  Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information