WISE Curricula

Chemical Reactions, Asthma, Alt Fuels Description: Using dynamic graphs, computer models, and drawings students investigate the chemical reaction of gasoline combustion. Using a virtual experiment, students explore the greenhouse effect and how it is impacted by gasoline combustion. They explore greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on air quality. Next, students are introduced to redlining and examine why people of color are more likely to live in an area more impacted by air quality and climate change due to historically racist policies. Finally, students use a virtual experiment to investigate alternative fuel solutions and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions, global temperature, and cost to produce. Throughout the project students use evidence from the models, graphs, and experiments to compose an evidence rich letter to the President on how gasoline combustion impacts global climate and recommend a solution. (ARISE) Photosynthesis, Cell Resp, Ecosystems Description: In this 4-lesson series students use real world data to understand the factors that support plant and animal life, using Biosphere 2 as an anchoring phenomenon. Students learn about and model the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and ecosystems. They explore and interpret data related to the reintroduction of wolf into Yellowstone National Park to argue for a restoration plan to increase the beaver population in the park. (GRIDS, STRIDES) COVID-19, Data Science, Equity Description: Students are introduced to the various ways data is used to communicate scientific information to the public and make policy decisions. Students practice making graphs and analyzing data related to COVID-19 and explore the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic, social issues, and health inequities have affected different communities. (ARISE) Global Climate Change Description: Students learn how solar radiation from the sun warms the Earth, and how greenhouse gases impact that energy cycle. They then examine how humans contribute to the greenhouse effect by choosing human activities to investigate with an interactive model. The unit culminates with students designing their own Climate Action Plan project. (GRIDS) Thermodynamics: Heat & Temperature Description: Students explore the concepts of temperature and heat energy transfer, using interactive virtual models to investigate the rate of conduction in different materials and thermal equilibrium. (GRIDS) GCC & Urban Heat Islands Description: Students learn how solar radiation from the sun warms the Earth, and how greenhouse gases impact that energy cycle. They then examine how humans contribute to the greenhouse effect by choosing human activities to investigate with an interactive model. Next, students learn about the impacts of Global Climate Change and investigate the inequitable impacts of rising global temperatures in Urban Heat Islands. The unit culminates with students designing their own Climate Action Plan project. (ARISE, STRIDES) Genetic Inheritance (6th Grade) Description: Students use dynamic models, graphs, and critique to explore the science behind genetics and the inheritance of traits. (GRIDS) Planetary Motion & Seasons Description: Students collect and evaluate evidence for explaining and understanding seasons using various dynamic visualizations and models. Instructional scaffolding in the unit helps students use evidence to generate a well-supported explanation for seasons. Thermodynamics Challenge Description: Using an interactive experimentation model, students collect and analyze graphical data to determine the best material for insulating a cold or hot beverage. (GRIDS, STRIDES) New Units Do you have any units that you’ve created and want to share with other teachers around the world? Feel free to make a new post with… Genetics of Extinction Description: Students explore natural selection and evolution, starting from basic genetic inheritance and mutations, up through modern day extinctions. (GRIDS, STRIDES) Solar Ovens Description: Students design, build, and test solar ovens. They critique and refine their own and their peers’ designs. Students learn about how energy is transformed from solar radiation to heat and infrared radiation. (GRIDS, STRIDES) How Can We Recycle Old Tires? Description: Students investigate the methods and challenges in recycling different types of materials based on their chemical bonds. Materials include rubber, glass, plastic and ceramic. Students use this information to recommend how to recycle used tires. Newton Scooters Description: Scooters guides students to design, build, test, and refine a self-propelled vehicle. The unit features investigations using scooters powered by elastic potential energy from rubber bands or balloons. Students explore scientific concepts related to energy and movement (potential, kinetic, and thermal energy; energy transformations and conservation) within a virtual experiment to iteratively improve their scooters. Plate Tectonics Description: Students begin by analyzing plate boundary, seismology, topography and volcanology maps to investigate: “Why are there so many earthquakes, mountains and volcanoes on the west coast?” Students then use graphs and dynamic visualizations to explore the density of plate types and how this influences the interactions at boundaries. Students then use videos and graphs to explore convection and its role in plate movement. Throughout the project students write and revise short essays using automated, adaptive guidance. (GRIDS) Musical Instruments Description: Students learn about the properties of sound waves (wavelength, frequency and amplitude) and apply this information to the design and construction of a liquid xylophone. (STRIDES) Sink or Float? Description: This project introduces students to density and its relationship on an object’s buoyancy. Students will investigate several hypotheses about what makes an object sink or float. Students will then investigate density, including graphical representations. Graphing Stories Description: Students are introduced to various types of graphs used in science. They construct, interpret, and critique position-time graphs and scatter plots to learn how data is visualized. (GRIDS) Genetic Inheritance (8th Grade) Description: Students use dynamic models, graphs, and critique to explore the science behind genetics and the inheritance of traits. (GRIDS) What makes a good cancer medicine? Description: Students learn about the stages of mitosis and associated cell structures in the context of developing medicine to treat cancer. Amusement Park Challenge Description: Students design roller-coasters that are either thrilling or safe using graphs with varying slopes and test their designs! Chemical Reactions & Alternative Fuels Description: Using dynamic graphs, computer models, and drawings students investigate the chemical reaction of gasoline combustion. Then, using a virtual experiment, students explore the greenhouse effect and how it is impacted by gasoline combustion and greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, students use a virtual experiment to investigate alternative fuel solutions and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions, global temperature, and cost to produce. Throughout the project students use evidence from the models, graphs, and experiments to compose an evidence rich letter to the President on how gasoline combustion impacts global climate and recommend a solution.