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Curriculum Guide High School Science 3.3 Earth Systems Standard 3.3 - The theory of plate tectonics helps explain geological, physical, and geographical features of Earth. Related Colorado Department of Education Sample Units: Earth's Changing Surface - High School (Earth) Science (Concepts: Change, Systems, Plate Tectonics, Structure, Impacts, Landforms) Motion And Force - High School Physical Science (Concepts: Mass, Velocity, Motion, Acceleration, Force, Friction, Law, Theory, Gravitation, Matter, Inertia, Momentum) Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills and Readiness Competencies (District): 1. What geological, physical, and geographical features support the theory of plate tectonics? 2a. How do scientists explain the presence of glacial debris in tropical areas? 2b. How does the existence of mountain ranges provide evidence of plate tectonics? 3a. What are the major geological processes that drive plate motion? 3b. How can the climate changes that have occurred in your area over the past 100 years be linked to plate tectonics? 3c. How could plate tectonics contribute to continental build-up, glaciation, and sealevel fluctuation? 4a. What roles did conceptual innovations and geophysical technologies play in creating the current theory of plate tectonics? 4b. What types of changes to Earth’s landforms might you predict for the future based on the theory of plate tectonics? Evidence Outcomes (District): 1. Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation about the theory of plate tectonics and how it can be used to understand geological, physical, and geographical features of Earth. 2. Analyze and interpret data on plate tectonics and the geological, physical, and geographical features of Earth. 3. Understand the role plate tectonics has had with respect to long-term global changes in Earth’s systems such as continental buildup, glaciations, sea-level fluctuations, and climate change. 4. Investigate and explain how new conceptual interpretations of data and innovative geophysical technologies led to the current theory of plate tectonics. Academic Vocabulary (District): asthenosphere basalt compression continental crust continental drift convection current convergent boundary crust divergent boundary fault folding fossil distribution geomagnetic reversal glaciation granite hotspot inner core lithosphere mantle Assessment (District): 1. Use the lab worksheet to assess. 2a.- c. Create and use a rubric for the presentation. 3a.- c. Create and use a rubric for the different fault models. 3d. Use the Phet lab worksheet as assessment. 4. Use the newsletter rubric to assess the current theory of plate tectonics. Rubric Website 4. Newsletter Rubric mid-ocean ridge Mohorovicic Discontinuity (MOHO Discontinuity) normal fault oceanic crust outer core Pangea reverse fault rock distribution sea-floor spreading seismic reflection study seismogram seismograph strike-slip fault subduction zone supercontinent tectonic plate tension transform boundary transform fault Suggested Activities/Strategies (District): 1. In the Phet Plate Tectonics Simulation, students explore how plates move on the surface of the earth and learn how to create new mountains, volcanoes, or oceans by changing temperature, composition, and thickness of plates. Phet Plate Tectonics Website Plate Tectonics Worksheet 2a. Using the Plate Tectonic Basics link, students collect and present evidence that Colorado has experienced both a tropical and a glacial period. As part of their presentation, students must explain why Colorado’s climate varied in such extremes. 2a. Plate Tectonic Basics 2b. Students work to understand that forces originate in Earth’s inner core and that tectonic plates move at varying speeds as well as in different directions atop the athenosphere. 2c. Students use the geologic timeline of the Denver area to better understand the history of Colorado's climate. 2c. Colorado Timeline Website 3a. Students examine maps to determine the interrelationships of plate boundaries, volcanoes, earthquake, and trenches. Students create a working model of each of the types of faults (or plate boundaries), as well as draw fault lines on a map. 3a. Map of Trenches and the Ring of Fire 3b. Students use the world seismicity map to create a fault line model. 3b. Map of World Seismicity 3c. Students use the different fault animations to better understand the different types of faults. 3c. Fault Motion Animations 3d. Using the Phet Colorado simulation on Glaciers, students adjust mountain snowfall and temperature to see glaciers grow and shrink. They will use scientific tools to measure thickness, velocity, and glacial budget. 3d. Phet Colorado Glaciers 3d. Phet Colorado Glaciers Worksheet Resources/Technology (District): Paleogeographic Maps Ancient Denver Resources Virtual Earthquake