ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems

In this video Paul Andersen explains how humans are impacting the Earth through farming, mining, pollution and climate change.  According to the NGSS wise management can reduce impacts on the planet.  This will become more important as developing countries start consuming more resources.  A K-12 teaching progression is also included.

CCC7: Stability and Change

Paul Andersen explains how stability and change are regulated in systems through controls and feedback.  Controls are used to regulate matter and energy flowing into a system.  Feedback mechanisms within the system are used to regulate stability.  Negative feedback loops keep the values around a set point and positive feedback loops move them away.  Disequilibrium can result in death of living systems and destruction of physical systems.  A progression of instruction for K-12 students is also included. 

SEP5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Paul Andersen explains how mathematics and computational thinking can be used by scientists to represent variables and by engineers to improve design.  He starts by explaining how mathematics is at the root of all sciences.  He then defines computational thinking and gives you a specific example of computational modeling.  He finishes the video with a teaching progression for this practice.