The Big Idea: Water

Example Professional Development Academy Topic

The Role of Water in the Rise and Fall of Civilizations


Learning Activities / Processes:

• Research the role of water in civilization.
• Draw connections between Maya population collapses and drought—an inquiry-based learning activity using authentic Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) core geochemical data from the Carioca Basin (Leg 165).
• Learn about ocean drilling technology and the collaborative nature of Earth and Space Science—The JOIDES Resolution (drillship).
• Research the importance of water in your community / region. Where does it come from? What is the use-rate over time? Record your own use, precipitation patterns, and the influence of weather and climate events.
• Examine groundwater/surface flow interaction in Barton Springs—an inquiry-based learning activity using real USGS data.
• Present results and interpretations.
• Explore water with tools that allow data comparisons and visualizations—examples are My World GIS, Google Earth, NOAA / NASA satellite imagery and web-based visualizations, maps, etc.
• Interact with guest scientists who will present on their respective areas of expertise and the connection to the “Big Idea”.
• Participate in a field trip such as to Inner Space Caverns, Natural Bridge Cavern, or Barton Springs.

Assessment:
Participate in a role-playing scenario to apply knowledge to address a real-world situation. For example, water-management—predict water use in the future and design a water and environment 10-year management plan.

Extension:
Design an experiment to explore for water on Mars.

PDA Components:
Establish and review the prerequisites for the topic—i.e., basic knowledge of water cycle, fundamentals of chemistry, physics, technology such as Excel, GPS-GIS, spatial skills, etc..

Characteristics:

• Teamwork.
• Do science.
• Learn about and use 21st Century technology.
• Incorporate reflective journaling.
• Engage in scientific writing and peer review, including web-based peer- review tools.
• Collaborate (with other learners, teachers and scientists).
• Become critical consumers of science information.
• Apply and integrate physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, technology, writing and oral presentation skills.
• Hone inquiry skills through a strong field / lab component that includes hands-on activities, the use of authentic data, and computer-based data retrieval and analysis.