1. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case The Science Behind the Science Fiction The World Will End in 2012 – Fact or Crap? author: Deborah Collins

2. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case teacher: Deborah L. Collins school: Canyon Springs High School course/grade: Intro Earth Science grades 9 – 12 district: Moreno Valley Unified email: dcollins@mvusd.net dcollins@mvusd.net deborahleecollins@earthlink.net

3. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case How does the sun’s energy affect Earth systems? Is there an affect on plate tectonic processes? generative question:

4. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case #4 Energy in the Earth System. #8 Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere. #1 Earth's Place in the Universe. learning objectives (key standards):

5. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case - Daily Journal - Daily Reflections - Learning Log (Weekly Written Summary) - 20 Question Quiz (on Friday) - Lab Reports - Homework - Answers to Essential Content Questions (ECQs) - Final Project assessment overview:

6. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Student proposed theoretical experiments/simulations using a design format (for questions that remain unanswered) Scientific Journal articles (for questions that students generate and answer) culminating project:

7. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case *Sunspot tracking activity *Earth’s Magnetosphere (bar magnet/mapping magnetic fields activity) *Measuring the speed of a Coronal Mass Ejections (using equations) *Aurora Probability by range in latitude (mapping/graphing) *Building Gases & Investigating Ozone (without using GUMDROPS!!!) key lessons & activities:

8. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case -Engagement in the Unit through: Unit Engager: The movie “2012” Explore: Analyze cause & effect relationship Explain: Classroom instruction, lab & activities Extend: Homework, reflection, student generated questions Evaluate: Homework, tests, culminating project, science notebooks 5E inquiry activities:

9. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Differentiation: Cooperative Learning Groups with designated roles for each group member Literacy Written reflections Pre-reading activities Critical Thinking Students link daily learning to answering the Essential Content Questions integrated pedagogy:

10. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case The Dynamic Sun - multimedia presentation http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov Includes the activities on Sunspots, CMEs, & Earth’s Magnetosphere Aurora Probability by Latitude at http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/sunearthday/2003/aurora_all.pdf Building Gases & Investigating Ozone at http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/tes/gumdrops/index.shtml NASA resources:

11. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Communication Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Collaboration Initiative & Self-Direction 21 st century skill integration:

12. NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case -Student Survey at the beginning of the year regarding questions students have and want to find answers to during first semester. -This is the first 2 weeks and expected to go into plate tectonics according to the connections made in the movie. miscellaneous (optional):