The experiments fall under topics that relate to three aspects of earth and space science:

1. Conservation of Energy
2. Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
3. Weather 

The activities in this book have two intentions:

• to teach concepts related to earth and space science
• to provide students the opportunity to apply necessary skills needed for mastery of science and technology curriculum objectives. 

In each section you will find teacher notes designed to provide you guidance with the learning intention, the success criteria, materials needed, a lesson outline, as well as provide some insight on what results to expect when the experiments are conducted. 

Suggestions for differentiation are also included so that all students can be successful in the learning environment. 

Introduction:

• At a Glance / Skill List
• Introduction
• Table of Contents
• Teacher Assessment Rubric
• Student Self-Assessment Rubric 

Lesson Topics: 

Lesson One: Forms of Energy

Learning Intention: Students will learn that energy is present in different forms, and that it exists in two main states. 

Success Criteria:

• identify and define different forms of energy
• recognize the everyday uses of different energy forms by recording some examples
• determine a state of energy as potential or kinetic
• depict examples of potential energy transforming to kinetic energy, and vice-versa 

Lesson Two: Energy Transformation

Learning Intention: Students will learn that energy can be transformed from one form to another form. 

Success Criteria:

• determine the energy input and output of objects in everyday life
• make predictions about energy form and transformation
• conduct explorations about energy transfer; record observations using written descriptions, illustrations, and picture images
• make and record conclusions about energy transformation 

Lesson Three: Invention Fair

Learning Intention: Students will learn how energy is stored and lost as it transforms into another form of energy. 

Success Criteria:

• design and construct devices that store, use, and transform energy forms
• test for movement of objects using an energy form
• record observations of the final products through diagrams and written descriptions
• make conclusions about the storage, usage, and transformation of energy in order to facilitate movement of an object 

Lesson Four: Energy Sources

Learning Intention: Students will learn about various renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. 

Success Criteria:

• identify and describe different sources of energy that produce electricity
• determine which sources of energy are renewable or non-renewable
• research and record the advantages and disadvantages of the production of electricity using different energy sources 

Lesson Five: Energy Conservation

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the effects of modern-day technologies on energy consumption and assess opportunities for reducing their own consumption. 

Success Criteria:

• consider and record reasons for an increase in energy consumption today
• contrast energy uses for household activities in modern day and 50 years ago
• conduct an energy audit of a home, then record findings in a chart
• make connections to the environment and energy usage by detailing ways to reduce personal consumption 

Lesson Six: Researching Resources

Learning Intention: Students will learn about local resources and how they are harvested and developed into products. 

Success Criteria:

• list local resources and classify them as living or non-living
• research and complete a written report about harvesting a resource, developing it, the impact on the environment to harvest and develop, and possibilities to lessen the impact
• conduct an interview with a First Nations speaker to learn how these people demonstrate respect for the land and its resources
• make connections to the environment by considering personal actions to lessening the environmental impact of resource harvesting and development 

Lesson Seven: Weather Patterns

Learning Intention: Students will learn about different types of weather and daily weather patterns. 

Success Criteria:

• discuss different types of weather that is experienced on the Earth
• provide written descriptions of different types of weather
• research and record daily weather patterns
• determine temperature readings and make connections to weather
• determine appropriate clothing needs for each season
• take daily temperature readings, record and compare them to predicted daily highs 

Lesson Eight: The Heat of the Sun

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the effects of the sun’s heat energy. 

Success Criteria:

• identify the benefits of the sun
• recognize and feel the strength of the sun’s heat
• determine the effect of the sun on certain materials and colors
• make connections to their daily lives 

Lesson Nine: Precipitation

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the water cycle and measure weather in terms of precipitation. 

Success Criteria:

• describe how the water cycle creates precipitation in our natural environment
• recreate the water cycle
• construct a rain/snow gauge to measure precipitation amounts
• collect data and display results in a graph
• make conclusions and connections to the Environment 

Lesson Ten: Cloud Formation

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the basic cloud types and how clouds are created. 

Success Criteria:

• describe the three basic cloud types that appear in the sky
• observe and illustrate the cloud types that appear in the sky for one week
• recreate cloud formation
• make conclusions and connections to natural events in the environment 

Lesson Eleven: Weather Instruments

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the measure of weather in terms of wind speed and direction. 

Success Criteria:

• construct a wind vane to measure wind direction
• observe wind direction and record it in a diagram
• construct an anemometer to measure wind speed
• determine wind speed through observation of RPM and calculations
• determine wind chill factors from a set of given data 

Lesson Twelve: Extreme Weather

Learning Intention: Students will learn about weather vs. climate, and changes that cause severe weather to occur. 

Success Criteria:

• recognize the difference between weather and climate
• determine what clothing would be suitable to wear in certain climates
• participate in a discussion about the effects of climate change to the environment
• research and complete a report about an extreme weather event that includes a description, technologies used to track it, indicators, warnings, and preparations for it

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