Quick Look 
- Grade Level:
- 7 (6 – 8)
- Time Required:
- 45 minutes
- Group Size:
- 3
- Subject Areas:
-
Earth and Space -
NGSS Performance Expectations:
MS-ESS2-2 MS-ETS1-1
Summary
Continuing the Asteroid Impact challenge, student teams assign importance factors called "desirability points" to the rock properties found in the previous activity in order to mathematically determine the overall best rocks for building caverns within. They learn the real-world connections and relationships between the rock properties and the desired engineering properties for designing and building caverns (or tunnels, mines, building foundations, etc.).Engineering Connection
Engineers determine the locations and construction methods to create structures such as caverns, tunnels, mines, bridges and foundations. To do this, they look at data from a variety of sources. They consider locations and rock properties as they apply to specific real-world design and construction situations. They make calculations and consider alternative options. They even make calculations to compare solutions to each other. They take all these steps so they make smart decisions that keep people safe.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Enter data from a graph and into a table.
- Synthesize data from numerous categories and build a concise table of data.
- Relate the relevance of rock properties to real-world design and construction applications.
- Use a mathematical scoring system to rank solutions.
- Synthesize the best rocks with all previous data to update their candidate cavern locations.
Educational Standards
Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science,
technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.
All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN),
a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).
In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics;
within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.
Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.
All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).
In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.
NGSS: Next Generation Science Standards - Science
| NGSS Performance Expectation | ||
|---|---|---|
|
MS-ESS2-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales. (Grades 6 - 8) Do you agree with this alignment? |
||
| Click to view other curriculum aligned to this Performance Expectation | ||
| This activity focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS: | ||
| Science & Engineering Practices | Disciplinary Core Ideas | Crosscutting Concepts |
| Construct a scientific explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students' own experiments) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Alignment agreement: | The planet's systems interact over scales that range from microscopic to global in size, and they operate over fractions of a second to billions of years. These interactions have shaped Earth's history and will determine its future. Alignment agreement: Water's movements—both on the land and underground—cause weathering and erosion, which change the land's surface features and create underground formations.Alignment agreement: | Time, space, and energy phenomena can be observed at various scales using models to study systems that are too large or too small. Alignment agreement: |
| NGSS Performance Expectation | ||
|---|---|---|
|
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. (Grades 6 - 8) Do you agree with this alignment? |
||
| Click to view other curriculum aligned to this Performance Expectation | ||
| This activity focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS: | ||
| Science & Engineering Practices | Disciplinary Core Ideas | Crosscutting Concepts |
| Define a design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process or system and includes multiple criteria and constraints, including scientific knowledge that may limit possible solutions. Alignment agreement: | The more precisely a design task's criteria and constraints can be defined, the more likely it is that the designed solution will be successful. Specification of constraints includes consideration of scientific principles and other relevant knowledge that is likely to limit possible solutions. Alignment agreement: | All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. Alignment agreement: The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions.Alignment agreement: |
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology
-
Interpret the accuracy of information collected.
(Grades
6 -
8)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
-
Use instruments to gather data on the performance of everyday products.
(Grades
6 -
8)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
State Standards
Colorado - Science
-
Develop and communicate an evidence based scientific explanation around one or more factors that change Earth's surface
(Grade
5)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
-
Analyze and interpret data identifying ways Earth's surface is constantly changing through a variety of processes and forces such as plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, solar influences, climate, and human activity
(Grade
5)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
-
Gather, analyze, and communicate data that explains Earth's plates, plate motions, and the results of plate motions
(Grade
7)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
Materials List
Worksheets and Attachments
Visit [www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/csm_asteroid_lesson6_activity1_tg] to print or download.Pre-Req Knowledge
Ability to read data from a graph, and a fair recollection of knowledge from the previous activities in the Asteroid Impact unit.
Introduction/Motivation
How can we learn from all the rock properties data we have collected and recorded (during the previous activities in the unit)?
How can we put it to use to help us find the best location to place our underground caverns?
Remember your goal. You want to make sure that your final cavern location has good properties for construction.
Today's activity will help you determine the best properties as apply to our engineering design objectives.
Procedure
Background
As necessary, supplement students' understanding of basic rock/mineral testing, rock identification, and rock classification (sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic).
Before the Activity
Make copies of the Ranking the Rocks Worksheet.
With the Students
- Discuss the relevance of the various rock properties to cavern building through a class question/answer session.
- Explain that "desirability points" are used to rank the rocks from best to worst.
- As necessary, review graphs and what they mean. For example, plot shoe size vs. height and ask students to explain what the graph means. This review helps students understand the desirability graph.
- Have student engineering teams complete the Desirability Points and Rock Ranking Table on the worksheet. Walk them through the process for one rock (such as limestone); then have them finish the rest of the table in their groups.
- Have student teams answer the rest of the worksheet questions.
- Conclude the activity by have each each team share their top location with the rest of the class.
Assessment
Worksheet: Review students' Ranking the Rocks Worksheet answers to gauge their comprehension of the subject matter.
Quiz: As a concluding quiz, give students a dfferent graph for interpretation.
Extension Test: Really test students' ability to consider all factors by conducting the Extension Activity.
Activity Extensions
Have each group write the grid location of one of their choices on a piece of paper. Have teams swap pieces of paper. Give teams five minutes to find the locations on the map grid and study its location on both maps. Write down reasons why you think it is a good choice and why it is might not be a good choice. Call upon each group to share and discuss their findings. Display the big map in the front of the classroom to show the grid locations.
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Copyright
© 2013 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original © 2005 Colorado School of MinesSupporting Program
Adventure Engineering, Colorado School of MinesAcknowledgements
Adventure Engineering was supported by National Science Foundation grant nos. DUE 9950660 and GK-12 0086457. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Last modified: April 3, 2018
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