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