IES Inquiry: IES Inquiry: Preparing Students to be Preparing Students to be
Critical Thinkers and Science Critical Thinkers and Science Literate CitizensLiterate Citizens
AGI’s Middle School AGI’s Middle School CurriculumCurriculum
IES: Investigating Earth IES: Investigating Earth Systems Systems
grades 5-8grades 5-8
Meeting New StandardsMeeting New Standards
1. Promote inquiry-based instruction2. Inquiry is an instructional outcome3. Equitable4. Developmentally appropriate5. Interesting and relevant to students6. Inquiry in professional development
Our View of InquiryOur View of Inquiry
1.1. Learners Learners ENGAGEENGAGE in scientifically oriented in scientifically oriented questions.questions.
2.2. Learners give priority to Learners give priority to EVIDENCEEVIDENCE in responding to in responding to questions.questions.
3.3. Learners formulate Learners formulate EXPLANATIONSEXPLANATIONS from evidence. from evidence.
4.4. Learners connect explanations to scientific Learners connect explanations to scientific KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE..
5.5. Learners Learners COMMUNICATECOMMUNICATE and and JUSTIFYJUSTIFY explanations.explanations.
ENGAGEENGAGE in Scientifically Oriented in Scientifically Oriented QuestionsQuestions
What causes ocean currents?
EVIDENCEEVIDENCE in Responding to in Responding to QuestionsQuestions
Students investigate the following:
Salinity and its effect on density
Temperature and its effects on density
EXPLANATIONSEXPLANATIONS from Evidence from Evidence
Students use the maps to answer the following:
a) Patterns between surface currents and wind direction
b) Form a hypothesis to explain the relationship between wind direction and surface currents
c) Relationship between the source of a current and the temperature of the water in the current
Connect Explanations to Connect Explanations to Scientific Scientific KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE
Students connect the following:
• The movement of heat from low latitudes to high latitudes
• Relationship between wind direction a surface ocean current direction
• Effects of temperature and salinity on ocean circulation
COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE and and JUSTIFY JUSTIFY ExplanationsExplanations
Students consider on the following:
1)What evidence explains ocean currents?
2)How realistic is the model you created for deep ocean circulation?
Student OutcomesStudent Outcomes
Know and understand scientific ideasKnow and understand scientific ideas
Understand how scientists study the Understand how scientists study the natural worldnatural world
Critical thinking and problem-solving Critical thinking and problem-solving skillsskills