EARTH SYSTEM DETECTIVE: CRACKING THE CASE OF THE MISSING BALANCE
Objective:
Through a simulated environmental event, students will analyze the interactions between
Earth's spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, geosphere) and identify potential
consequences and solutions.
Materials:
¼ Illustration board
Markers or colored pens
Sticky notes
Online Earth Science database and platforms
The Case:
A massive volcanic eruption spews ash and gases into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and
triggering global cooling. Heavy rains and mudslides follow, causing widespread flooding and
deforestation. What are the potential consequences of this event on Earth's different systems? How
might these systems interact and respond to the changes?
Procedure:
1. The class will be divided into 4 groups. Each group will be assigned with specific Earth system
(atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere).
2. Using different resources, each group will research the typical function and components of
their assigned system.
3. Each group will brainstorm on the volcanic scenario regarding the direct and indirect impacts
and the feedback loops. Answer the following questions:
a. How will the eruption directly affect their assigned system? (e.g., atmospheric
composition change, ocean acidification, soil erosion)
b. How will these direct impacts ripple through and affect other systems? (e.g., altered
weather patterns impacting plant growth, soil erosion leading to water pollution)
c. Can you identify any positive or negative feedback loops that might amplify or
dampen the effects?
4. Each group presents their findings on a designated section of the illustration board, creating a
visual map of the interconnected consequences. You may use arrows, diagrams, and
keywords to illustrate the flow of effects between systems.
5. Once the map is complete, students will discuss potential solutions or mitigation strategies to
address the cascading effects of the eruption. This can involve research into sustainable
practices, technological advancements, or policy changes.
6. You may incorporate visual aids like images, graphs, and videos into the research and
presentation phases. You are encouraged to do an inter-group collaboration and knowledge
sharing throughout the activity.
Rubrics for Grading
Partially Meets Did Not Meet
Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations
Category Expectations Expectations
(4 points) (3 points)
(2 points) (1 point)
Accurately and in-depth Accurately describes the Provides some accurate Information about
describes the typical typical function and about the assigned the assigned system
System Research
function and components of components of the system, but lacks depth is inaccurate or
the assigned system assigned system or understanding. missing.
Identifies direct and
Clearly identifies direct and Identifies some direct
indirect impacts of the Fails to identify or
indirect impacts of the and indirect impacts of
volcanic eruption on explain the impacts
volcanic eruption on their the volcanic eruption on
Impact Analysis their assigned system, of the volcanic
assigned system and their assigned system,
but explanations may be eruption on their
provides detailed but explanations are
incomplete or lack assigned system.
explanations. missing or unclear.
details.
Clearly demonstrates and Demonstrates some Shows limited
Fails to demonstrate
explains the connections connections between understanding of the
any connection
between their assigned their assigned system connection between
Interconnectedness between their
system and other Earth and other Earth systems, their assigned system
assigned system and
systems in response to the but explanations may be and other Earth
other Earth systems.
event. lacking or limited. systems.
Identifies and explains
Identifies some feedback Mentions feedback
positive or negative Does not mention or
loops, but explanation loops but fails to
Feedback Loops feedback loops within and identify any
may be incomplete or explain their role or
between Earth systems feedback loops.
lacking in detail. impact.
relevant to the scenario.
Occasionally
Actively participates in team Participates in team participates in team Does not participate
discussions, shares ideas discussions, shares some discussions, shares in team discussions
Teamwork
effectively, and contributes ideas, and contributes to limited ideas, and may or contribute to the
equally to the work. the work. require prompting to work.
contribute.
Collaborates with other
Collaborates effectively with
groups to gather
other groups to gather and
information, but may
Research share information, Limited collaborations Does not collaborate
need reminders about
Collaboration respecting intellectual with other groups. with other groups.
respecting intellectual
property, and avoiding
property, and avoiding
plagiarism.
plagiarism.
Clearly and concisely
Presents information on No poster
presents information on the Information on the
the poster using visuals presentation or
poster using visuals, texts, poster is unclear,
Poster Presentation and texts, but information is
and diagrams. Information disorganized, or difficult
organization may be presented unclearly
is well-organized and easy to understand.
unclear pr incomplete. and inaccurately.
to understand.
Confidently and effectively Communicates findings Delivers a presentation, Does not present
communicates finding to the to the class, but may be but may struggle to findings or struggles
Presentation Skills
class, answering questions hesitant or lack in answer questions or to communicate
clearly and engagingly. responses to questions. engage the audience. effectively.
Score: __________________
