Designing a Cooler Community
- Grade
- 5, 6, 7
- Duration
Phenomenon:
Natural; Contemporary; Political; Social, Political, Ecological Justice
The variation in land surface temperatures across different types of land cover, such as pavement and vegetated areas, within a community.
Summary:
Students investigate the phenomenon of uneven Land Surface Temperatures in urban environments. They analyze LST maps and satellite imagery to identify patterns relating human land use and vegetation coverage to surface temperature data. Students develop a model to explain how solar energy interacts with Earth's systems, specifically describing the mechanisms of absorption, reflection, and transpiration between the geosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. Using these scientific principles, students design a community-based solution to mitigate heat. They conclude by using evidence from their model and data analysis to describe how their design alters energy flow to reduce local temperatures.
- Engineering
Student Activities
- Creating models
- Constructing explanations
- Carrying out investigations
- Field work
- Making observations
- Gathering information
- Describing evidence
Key Materials Needed:
- Measuring tools (analog)
What will this task address?
Science and Engineering Practices
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Developing and Using Models
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Analyzing and Interpreting Data
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Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Disciplinary Core Ideas
-
ESS2.A: Earth's Systems - Earth Materials and Systems
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ESS3.A: Earth and Human Activity - Natural Resources
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ETS1.A: Engineering Design - Defining and Delimiting an Engineering Problem
Crosscutting Concepts
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Patterns
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Systems and System Models
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Energy and Matter: Flow, Cycles, and Conservation
Performance Expectations
-
5-ESS2-1
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5-ESS3-1
-
3-5-ETS1-1
Other Standards Addressed:
Task Features
Accessibility
Agency
Communication
Metacognition
Highlights:
- Includes scoring guidance
- Collaborative
- Emphasizes SEP
- Supports for ELD
- Authentic phenomena
- Culturally relevant
- Environmental literacy
- Peer feedback
- Designed with teachers
Task Documents
About the Task Design
These tasks were co-developed with teachers to emphasize engineering design and problem-solving within science contexts.
About the Task Design
These tasks were co-developed with teachers to emphasize engineering design and problem-solving within science contexts.Access the Task
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