Teacher: Heather Grove, Roselly Tejada, and Jonathan Greene

Profile Sheet

Primary Subject Area: Science

Outside Subject Area: Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Technology

Class: General Science

Class Level: Regular

Grade Level: 5th Grade

Class Time: Four 50-minutes periods

PBL Title: WPTV Special Report: Engineers Investigate Carlin Park Beach Erosion

Description of Student Roles and Problem Situation: Students will act as either an investigative reporter or an engineer researching past and possible solutions for Carlin Park beach erosion. They will broadcast a WPTV Special Report for Florida Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corp of Engineers and Palm Beach County Residents on possible solutions for Carlin Park beach replenishment.

Adaptations for ESOL Student:

I can help to find articles/videos in their home language about erosion. I can provide extra information about what an investigative report and an engineer do. I will translate all documents for student into home language. Helping them find articles/examples of erosion in their home country.

Adaptations for ESE Student:

I will have the student working with a team of varied ability students. I can provide different assessment options for this student: graphic organizer, pictures, PowerPoint.

Adaptations for Non-Western Culture Student:

In a one-on-one conversation, I will determine the learner’s prior knowledge of the subject area through direct questioning, and picture cue cards. Information obtained will include knowledge of erosion, weathering, habitats of animals, and information about Florida coastlines. During group discussions are underway I will observe to see if the non-Western student is participating and adding information/opinions into group.

Resources:

Articles:

Websites/ Videos:

Books:

Nelson, M. (2013). That Rocks! Weathering and Erosion. Buffalo. Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Silverman, B. (2007). You Scratch My Back…:Interdependence and Symbiosis. Hampshire.Raintree Publishers.

Title, STEM Areas, Standards, and Learning Outcomes

PBL Title: WPTV Special Report: Engineers Investigate Carlin Park Beach Erosion

STEM Areas

Science: Science concepts are incorporated throughout the lesson. In order to solve the problem, students must understand how weathering and erosion affect a coastal ecosystem and organisms that inhabit that area. In coming up with their solutions the students will need to ensure that the native animal and plant species of the beach are not harmed.

Technology: Students will utilize computers, laptops and iPads for their research period. They will also use cameras and video camera to record their special report.

Engineering: Students will research past solutions to beach erosion in Florida. They will need to understand why they failed in preventing the erosion from reoccurring in a short time. Once the teams of reporters and engineers have researched past solutions, they will need to create a new solution for this problem.

Mathematics: The teams will need to create their solutions under the constraints of a tight budget. The teams will have to create a possible budget for the solution.

STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

NGSSS in Science:

SC.4.E.6.4 Describe the basic differences between physical weathering (breaking down of rock by wind, water, ice, temperature change, and plants) and erosion (movement of rock by gravity, wind, water, and ice).

LO#1: Working in groups and using information about weathering and erosion, students will accurately analyze the crisis in Carlin Park, which is located within Jupiter Beach and determine 2-3 primary reasons for the physical weathering and erosion.

SC.5.N.1.1 Define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types such as: systematic observations; experiments requiring the identification of variables; collecting and organizing data; interpreting data in charts, tables, and graphics; analyze information; make predictions; and defend conclusions. (Also assesses SC.3.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.6, SC.5.N.1.2, and SC.5.N.1.4.)

LO#2: Working in groups to collect data, students will then interpret and analyze this data to formulate solutions to the problem, providing at least 2 accurate justifications for their solutions.

SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations.

LO#3: Working in groups to collect data on previous solutions attempted, students will analyze the data to accurately classify harmful and beneficial environmental effects of these solutions to animal and/or plant habitats.

National Science Education Standards:

8DESS1.3 Landforms are the result of a combination of constructive and destructive forces. Constructive forces include crustal deformation, volcanic eruption, and deposition of sediment, while destructive forces include weathering and erosion.

LO#4: Working in groups and using information about weathering and erosion, students will accurately analyze the crisis in Carlin Park, which is located within Jupiter Beach and determine 2-3 primary reasons for the physical weathering and erosion.

MAFS:

MAFS.5.OA.2 Analyze patterns and relationships.

LO#5: Working in groups, students will accurately write and solve equations related to budgets.

LAFS:

LAFS.5.RI.1.2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

LAFS.5.RI.1.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

LO#6: Using the provided rubric and articles, students will identify the main idea for each article and utilize the information to synthesize a solution. The synthesis must score at least 3 or above on each criterion of the rubric.

LAFS.5.SL.1.3 Summarize the points a speaker makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence.

LO#7: Using the provided rubric, students will orally present their problems and solutions to the audience, scoring at least 3 or above on each criterion of the rubric.

Technology:

ISTE Standards

3. Research and information fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry

b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media

c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks

d. Process data and report results

Learning Outcomes, Student Roles and Problem Situation,

Meet the Problem Method

PBL Title: WPTV Special Report: Engineers Investigate Carlin Park Beach Erosion

Learning Outcomes:

LO#2: Working in groups to collect data, students will then interpret and analyze this data to formulate solutions to the problem, providing at least 2 accurate justifications for their solutions.

LO#5: Working in groups, students will accurately write and solve equations related to budgets.

LO#7: Using the provided rubric, students will orally present their problems and solutions to the audience, scoring at least 3 or above on each criterion of the rubric.

Description of Student Roles and Problem Situation:

Students will act as either an investigative reporter or an engineer researching past and possible solutions for Carlin Park beach erosion. They will broadcast a WPTV Special Report for the Florida Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and Palm Beach County Residents on possible solutions for the Erosion of Carlin Park.

Meet the Problem Documents:

Students will receive a memo from the Robert Weisman, Palm Beach County Administrator (see attached) as well as two documents related to weathering and erosion. One is two informative essays about weathering and erosion from thetechieteacher.com. The second document is a story called Watch for Steady Rocks from

Memo:

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2014

George T. Webb, P.E.
County Engineer

Palm Beach County, FL
200 N. Jog Road
West Palm Beach, Florida 33411
[Address 3]

Dear Mr. Webb:

As you know, the location of the Jupiter Beach Inlet breakwater causes persistent erosion at Carlin Park. Frequent storms add to this accelerated level of erosion. Beach erosion threatens public parks, buildings, and recreational areas. Additionally this erosion decreases important beach and dune habitats affecting wildlife and native species.

Please assemble a team of engineers to investigate solutions to reduce or stop beach erosion. The plan should include a budget of no more than $15M and be completed within 5 years. The plan should also take into account native animal and plant species and be formulated so as to prevent damage to their environmental needs and encourage their growth. Additionally as many tropical storms either pass very close to or make landfall along Florida’s coast the plan should be designed to survive multiple Category 5 storms and prevent the excessive weathering and erosion caused by these storms.

Remember that the Palm Beach County Commissioners will not be engineers and may not understand how Weathering and Erosion effect the beach, dunes, parks, and the organisms that inhabit Carlin Park. The Palm Beach County Commissioners will be meeting Monday, December 22, 2014, two weeks from the date of this memo. The presenting team should be prepared to create a news broadcast to educate the public, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Environmental Protection Agency.

Sincerely,

Robert Weisman
County Administrator,

Palm Beach County

Summary of the other two Meet the Problem documents:

Summary of Weathering and Erosion document from thetechieteacher.com:

Weathering is the process where rock is worn away into smaller and smaller pieces. There are three types of weathering: physical, chemical, and biological. Physical weathering is where a rock physically breaks. Chemical weathering decays or decomposes rock. Biological weathering is when plants break rock with the roots. Once the rock is weathered it erodes. Erosion is the movement of the broken pieces of rock. The movement of the broken pieces can be from wind, water, and gravity. Once the pieces can’t be moved any further the sediment is deposited forming new landforms.

Summary of Watch for Steady Rocks from :

This story is about two boys: Luke and Pavel, that are volunteering to fix trail along a mountain. This mountain trail is susceptible to landslides and erosion, so the volunteers are hiking up the mountain to place large stones to help trail. Then all of a sudden Luke starts to fall down the mountain. Pavel runs after him, yelling to Luke to grab a rock. Finally Luke grabs a rock to stop his fall.

Problem Statement, Know/Need to Know Board

PBL Title: WPTV Special Report: Engineers Investigate Carlin Park Beach Erosion

STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:

NGSSS in Science:

SC.4.E.6.2 Describe the basic differences between physical weathering (breaking down of rock by wind, water, ice, temperature change, and plants) and erosion (movement of rock by gravity, wind, water, and ice).

LO#1: Working in groups, students will accurately analyze to resolve the physical weathering and erosion crisis at Carlin Park, which is located within Jupiter Beach; and determine the 2-3 primary reasons for weathering and erosion.

LO#2: Working in groups to collect data, students will then interpret and analyze this data to formulate solutions to the problem, providing at least 2 accurate justifications for their solutions.

SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations.

National Science Education Standards:

LO#4: Working in groups, students will attempt to resolve the physical weathering and erosion crisis at Carlin Park, which is located within Jupiter Beach; using information about weathering and erosion. (Using same learning outcome as the NGSSS standard SC.4.E.6.4)

MAFS:

MAFS.5.OA.2 Analyze patterns and relationships.

LO#5: Working in groups, students will accurately write and solve equations related to budgets.

LAFS:

LAFS.5.RI.1.2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

LAFS.5.RI.1.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

LO#6: Using the provide rubric and articles, students will identify the main idea for each article and utilize the information to synthesize a solution. The synthesis must score at least 3 or above on each criterion of the rubric.

LAFS.5.SL.1.3 Summarize the points a speaker makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence.

LO#7: Using the provided rubric, students will orally present their problems and solutions to the audience, scoring at least 3 or above on each criterion of the rubric.

Sample Problem Statement:

How can we as WPTV Investigative Reporters and Engineers, resolve the coastal erosion problem of Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL. in such a way that

●we meet the deadline for the Special Report

●we ensure no harm comes to the native plant and animal species

●we provide new solutions to Florida Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Army Corp of Engineers and Palm Beach County Residents

●we explain the past solutions and why they did not resolve the issue

●we meet the budget of 15 million dollars

Know/Need to Know Boards:

Know Board:

The location of the Jupiter Beach breakwater causes persistent erosions at Carlin Park.
We need to assemble a team of engineers to investigate solutions.
The solution has to fewer than 15 million dollars, and completed under 5 years.
Solution must take to account native animal and plant species and to prevent further environmental damage.
Solution must be designed to survive multiple Category 5 storms.
To make newscast on Beach erosion and weathering problem must be completed and presented by December 22, 2014.
Have a solution about how to solve Erosion/weathering issue at Carlin Park, Jupiter.

Need to Know Board:

What were previous attempts to solve the erosion problem in Carlin Park?
What causes erosion and weathering?
How has the government tried to attempt help with Carlin Park?
What are other ways that have been used to help with weathering/erosion at Carlin Park?
Where are locations where they have resolved similar issues with erosion and weathering?
How and why need to resolve this erosion problem at Carlin Park?
What are some safety issues on the environment of this area with the solution?
How does your solution compare to other attempts to Carlin Park?
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
What does an engineer do?
What does an investigative reporter do?
Will a budget of $15M be sufficient to implement this plan?

Capstone Description

PBL Title: WPTV Special Report: Engineers Investigate Carlin Beach Erosion

STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

NGSSS in Science:

LO#2: Working in groups to collect data, students will then interpret and analyze this data to formulate solutions to the problem, providing at least 2 accurate justifications for their solutions.

SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations.