This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this state's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.
ESS.ESS1: : Earth's Place in the Universe
ESS.ESS1.1: : Construct an explanation regarding the rapid expansion of the universe based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.
Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law
Follow in the footsteps of Edwin Hubble to discover evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory. First, observe Cepheid variable stars in different galaxies to determine their distances. Then, measure the redshift from these galaxies to determine their recessional velocity. Create a scatterplot of velocity vs. distance and relate this to an expanding universe.
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ESS.ESS1.3: : Analyze and interpret data about the mass of a star to predict its composition, luminosity, and temperature across its life cycle, including an explanation for how and why it undergoes changes at each stage.
H-R Diagram
A collection of stars visible from Earth can be arranged and classified based on their color, temperature, luminosity, radius, and mass. This can be done using one or two-dimensional plots, including a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of luminosity vs. temperature.
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ESS.ESS1.7: : Analyze and interpret data to compare, contrast, and explain the characteristics of objects in the solar system including the sun, planets and their satellites, planetoids, asteroids, and comets. Characteristics include: mass, gravitational attraction, diameter, and composition.
Solar System Explorer
Survey the solar system, observing the length of a year and the orbital path of each object. The positions of the eight official planets are displayed, as well as one dwarf planet, Pluto. Learn about Kepler's Laws and how planets are classified.
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ESS.ESS1.8: : Use mathematical or computational representations to predict motions of the various kinds of objects in our solar system, including planets, satellites, comets, and asteroids, and the influence of gravity, inertia, and collisions on these motions.
Orbital Motion - Kepler's Laws
Learn Kepler's three laws of planetary motion by examining the orbit of a planet around a star. The initial position, velocity, and mass of the planet can be varied as well as the mass of the star. The foci and centers of orbits can be displayed and compared to the location of the star. The area swept out by the planet in a given time period can be measured, and data on orbital radii and periods can be plotted in several ways.
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ESS.ESS2.2: : Construct an argument based on evidence about how global and regional climate is impacted by interactions among the Sun's energy output, tectonic events, ocean circulation, vegetation, and human activities. The argument should include discussion of a variety of time scales from sudden (volcanic ash clouds) to intermediate (ice ages) to long-term tectonic cycles.
Coastal Winds and Clouds - Metric
Observe daily weather conditions in a coastal region. Measure temperatures and wind speeds at any location and use this data to map convection currents that form during the day and night. Explain the origin of land breezes and sea breezes.
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Explore the abiotic factors that affect Caribbean coral reefs. Many factors can be manipulated in this simplified reef model, including ocean temperature and pH, storm severity, and input of excess sediments and nutrients from logging, sewage, and agriculture. Click "Advance year" to see how the reef responds to these changes.
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In this followup to the Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors activity, investigate the impacts of fishing, disease, and invasive species on a model Caribbean coral reef. Many variables can be manipulated, included intensity of fishing, presence of black band and white band disease, and the presence of actual and potential invasive species. Click "Advance year" to see the impacts of these biotic changes.
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ESS.ESS2.4: : Analyze surface features of Earth and identify and explain the geologic processes responsible for their formation.
Erosion Rates
Explore erosion in a simulated 3D environment. Observe how the landscape evolves over time as it is shaped by the forces of flowing water. Vary the initial landscape, rock type, precipitation amount, average temperature, and vegetation and measure how each variable affects the rate of erosion and resulting landscape features.
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Weathering is the breakdown of rock at Earth's surface through physical or chemical means. Students will learn about the different types of mechanical and chemical weathering, then use a simulation to model the effects of weathering on different types of rocks in varying climate conditions.
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ESS.ESS2.5: : Develop a visual model to illustrate the formation and reformation of rocks over time including processes such as weathering, sedimentation, and plate movement. The model should include a comparison of the physical properties of various rock types, common rock-forming minerals, and continental rocks versus the oceanic crust.
Erosion Rates
Explore erosion in a simulated 3D environment. Observe how the landscape evolves over time as it is shaped by the forces of flowing water. Vary the initial landscape, rock type, precipitation amount, average temperature, and vegetation and measure how each variable affects the rate of erosion and resulting landscape features.
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Move the Earth's crust at various locations to observe the effects of the motion of the tectonic plates, including volcanic eruptions. Information about each of the major types of plate boundaries is shown, along with their locations on Earth.
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Play the role of a piece of rock moving through the rock cycle. Select a starting location and follow many possible paths throughout the cycle. Learn how rocks are formed, weathered, eroded, and reformed as they move from Earth's surface to locations deep within the crust.
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Weathering is the breakdown of rock at Earth's surface through physical or chemical means. Students will learn about the different types of mechanical and chemical weathering, then use a simulation to model the effects of weathering on different types of rocks in varying climate conditions.
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ESS.ESS2.7: : Apply scientific principles regarding thermal convection and gravitational movement of dense materials to predict the outcomes of continued development and movement of lithospheric plates from their growing margins at a divergent boundary (mid-ocean ridge) to their destructive margin at a convergent boundary (subduction zone).
Convection Cells
Explore the causes of convection by heating liquid and observing the resulting motion. The location and intensity of the heat source (or sources) can be varied, as well as the viscosity of the liquid. Use a probe to measure temperature and density in different areas and observe the motion of molecules in the liquid. Then, explore real-world examples of convection cells in Earth's mantle, oceans, and atmosphere.
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ESS.ESS2.13: : Use a model to predict how variations in the flow of energy through radiation, conduction, and convection into and out of Earth’s systems could contribute to global atmospheric processes and climactic effects.
Greenhouse Effect - Metric
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere can be adjusted through time, and the long-term effects can be investigated.
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ESS.ESS2.14: : Using data, weather maps, and other scientific tools, predict weather conditions from an analysis of the movement of air masses, high and low pressure systems, and frontal boundaries.
Weather Maps - Metric
Learn about standard symbols used in meteorology to construct weather maps. Rain, sleet, snow, temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure can all be recorded at two different weather stations on a map. Describe weather patterns characteristic of high-pressure systems, low-pressure systems, warm fronts, and cold fronts.
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ESS.ESS2.16: : Design a mathematical model of Earth’s energy budget showing how the electromagnetic radiation from the sun in watts/m² is reflected, absorbed, stored, redistributed among the atmosphere, ocean, and land systems, and reradiated back into space. The model should provide a means to predict how changes in greenhouse gases could affect Earth’s temperatures.
Greenhouse Effect - Metric
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere can be adjusted through time, and the long-term effects can be investigated.
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ESS.ESS2.18: : Identify the organisms that are major drivers in the global carbon cycle and trace how greenhouse gases are continually moved through the carbon reservoirs and fluxes represented by the ocean, land, life, and atmosphere.
Ocean Carbon Equilibrium - High School
Mussel farmers in the Arctic Ocean have reported problems with their mussels. They have noticed that the mussel shells have eroded and become brittle. Students take on the role of a marine chemist to analyze the changes to ocean carbon chemistry and equilibrium to determine the cause of the mussel shell erosion.
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As a marine biologist students learn about photosynthesis to help scientists in Australia determine why the coral in the Great Barrier Reef is bleaching.
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Students assume the role of a scientist trying to solve a real world problem. They use scientific practices to collect and analyze data, and form and test a hypothesis as they solve the problems.
