SEEd - Grade 8
Lesson Plans

Strand 8.4: INTERACTIONS WITH NATURAL SYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

Interactions of matter and energy through geologic processes have led to the uneven distribution of natural resources. Many of these resources are nonrenewable, and per-capita use can cause positive or negative consequences. Global temperatures change due to various factors, and can cause a change in regional climates. As energy flows through the physical world, natural disasters can occur that affect human life. Humans can study patterns in natural systems to anticipate and forecast some future disasters and work to mitigate the outcomes.

Standard 8.4.3

Design a solution to monitor or mitigate the potential effects of the use of natural resources. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well each solution meets the criteria and constraints of the problem. Examples of uses of the natural environment could include agriculture, conservation efforts, recreation, solar energy, and water management. (ESS3.A, ESS3.C, ETS1.A, ETS1.B, ETS1.C)

• 8.4 Water Resources Lesson Plan & Resources
  A Google Drive folder with 8.4.2, 8.4.3 phenomenon-based, 5E lessons that align to the SEEd standards. Lesson folders include lesson plans, a slideshow, and supporting materials for teaching the lesson to your students. Students use articles and datasets to evaluate water supply and demand in Utah. After building an understanding of water as a limited resource in a state with a growing population, students design a tool or process for conserving water.
• Electric/Solar Cars, an Option? 8.4.2 & 8.4.3
  Students will identify some of the differences between the energy sources of electric vs fossil fuel cars. Students will test car design and solar panels to find the best angle to attach the solar panel to the car.
• Energy From Biomass
  Students will design a fermentation tank to reduce biomass into its component parts.
• Idle Free Plan
  Students will identify some of the differences between the energy sources of electric vs fossil fuel cars. Students will test car design and solar panels to find the best angle to attach the solar panel to the car.
• Idle Quiz
  Quiz questions about vehicle idiling.
• Impacting Utah's Air
  Students will understand valley inversions and be able to explain why inversions occur. Students will identify the impact of PM 2.5. Students will develop a solution to use less energy and therefore produce less emissions.
• Mining and Reclamation
  Students will develop a plan to mitigate the effects of our extraction of natural resources through mining.
• Water in Our World: Exploring Storage and Movement in Different Environments
  This resource is a USGS lesson plan designed to help teachers utilize the "Where is the Water" posters and images from the Modern Water Cycle collection by BYU. The resources emphasize the two-way connection between humans and water and examines the water cycle in various environments: desert, forest, urban, suburban, coastal, and agricultural.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Milo  Maughan and see the Science - Secondary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.