ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

In this video Paul Andersen explains the vital role that water plays in the processes on the Earth's surface.  Water has several unique properties including high heat capacity, transparency, polarity and the ability to change the chemical behavior of the mantle.  The Earth is largely a water planet but most of the water is found in the oceans or locked in ice.  Water is a powerful erosive force on the planet.  A K-12 teaching progression is also included.
 

CCC1: Patterns

Paul Andersen explains patterns and describes why pattern recognition is an important skill in science and engineering.  He begins by discussing patterns in nature, including snowflakes, flower petals, seasons and nucleotides in DNA.  He then illustrates the importance of classification in describing and eventually understanding patterns.  He gives a progression instruction in the science classroom from grade K to 12.  A secret pattern is hidden within the video.

SEP8: Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information

Scientists and Engineers spend over half of their working day reading, evaluating and producing text.  Therefore it is important that we produce students that have a high level of scientific literacy.  Students normally struggle with scientific reading due to the high level of jargon and multiple modes of presentation (i.e. graphs, images, data).  We can help our students become more scientifically literate by having them consume and produce scientific text from K to 12.  Several strategies for teaching this progression (e.g. adapted primary literature and mini-posters) are included.