Earth and Space Science
The Amplify Science physical science units progressively build students’ abilities to master content through a three-dimensional instructional sequence. The following is an overview of the physical science units, including a description of the phenomenon and student role students take on in each one.
Available Earth science units
- Geology on Mars
- Plate Motion
- Plate Motion Engineering Internship
- Rock Transformations
- Earth, Moon, and Sun
- Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
- Weather Patterns
- Earth’s Changing Climate
- Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Geology on Mars
Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
As planetary geologists, students analyze data about geoscience processes on the surface of Mars, in order to decide whether Mars could have been habitable.
Plate Motion
Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Students play the role of geologists working for the fictional Museum of West Namibia to investigate Mesosaurus fossils found both in southern Africa and in South America.
Plate Motion Engineering Internship
Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Students act as geohazard engineering interns to design a tsunami warning system. Students communicate like engineers
and scientists do as they use their understanding of plate motion and patterns in data to create and justify their designs.
Rock Transformations
Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
As geologists, students investigate different ways rocks form and change. Using their new understanding, they explain how rock transformation processes caused rock material from the Rocky Mountains to eventually become part of the Great Plains.
Earth, Moon, and Sun
An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Students play the role of student astronomers who must learn about the Earth, Moon, Sun system, including phases and eclipses, in order to advise an astrophotographer who is photographing Moon features.
Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate
During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
As climatologists, students must explain the pattern of temperature changes in El Niño years, which are impacting agriculture around the Pacific. They learn about how sunlight, ocean, and atmosphere interact to produce regional climate.
Weather Patterns
In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Students play the role of forensic meteorologists who must explain why powerful storms have increased after a manmade lake was built. They learn how air masses, water, and energy from the Sun produce weather phenomena.
Earth’s Changing Climate
The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
In their role as climatologists, students must explain why Earth’s ice is melting. They learn about how changes in the atmosphere are affecting the energy balance in the Earth’s system, and about humans’ role in these changes.
Earth’s Changing Climate Engineering Internship
Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
As civil engineering interns, students apply design and engineering concepts as they create a plan for making changes to building rooftops. Their goal is to make a city more energy efficient, and thus reduce the carbon dioxide produced from combustion.