Hitting The Big Time With Climate Science Lesson Plan Template (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

5E Lesson Plan

“Hitting the BIG TIME with Climate Science”

_____________ / _______________

EXPLORATION

•

Re-direct attention to front for mini-lesson on formation of speleothems as a climate proxy.

•

Tell students they will be creating a multi-layered drip castle that represents a stalagmite. They will mix sand and

water and pour the mixture for 1 minute intervals using the following steps to create the model:

1. Put 500 ml of pebbles or rocks in base of cylinder.

2. “Stuff” paper towels into your graduated cylinder (atop pebbles) and form a semi-flat surface.

The paper towels will act as a sponge and filter so that the speleothem can grow.

3. Measure the top of your paper towels and record it

4. Cut a very small hole in one corner of your ziplock bag. Place the bag on the graduated cylinder with the cut

end down inside the cylinder. You will use this as a sort of funnel that will resemble the point at which the

groundwater enters your cave.

5. In a 100ml beaker, mix 40 ml of sand with 20 ml of water .

6. Once mixed, start your timer and pour the mixture into to your ziplock bag so it drips through and lands on

the paper towel.

7. At the end of one minute, record the net growth of your speleothem model in the chart on the next page

and describe it.

8. Flatten the sand between trials and repeat this process to increase reliability and validity of results.

importantly, this is where the variable comes in:

•

You should vary the simulated rainfall by adding 5ml of water or 10 ml of water to different trials.

9. Record the variables along with changes in growth (total height vs. net growth) of your speleothem during

each period as indicated on the chart provided.

Once groups have formulated a plan for rain events for each of the 5-time intervals, have each group develop a

hypothesis regarding the periods that will have the most speleothem growth. Scaffold as necessary: “Based on

we expect

(periods) will experience the most growth because

”

EXPLANATION



Each group compares results to their hypothesis (group discussion).



Each groups shares results, recorded by teacher on the board (class share).

ELABORATION or EXTENSION



Have students identify questions they have related to the speleothem model.



Have students identify other things that could be studied to help develop climate models in Texas.



Have students identify other things that could be studied to help develop climate models anywhere in the

world.



Field trip!

EVALUATION

Formative: Scientific conclusion (see, lab sheets)

Comprehensive: “Using the sun as a starting point, draw, label and explain the formation of a speleothem,

using all relevant concepts we have covered this year.”

Hitting The Big Time With Climate Science Lesson Plan Template Page 3

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