The Digital Notebook is a space to hold your thoughts, questions, and growing understanding throughout this Unit. You will be able to access it from every Module. Use The Digital Notebook to jot your thinking, take notes, or as a space to develop your writing. You can print and export it anytime, and at the end of lesson 8 you’ll be reminded to save a copy for yourself.
“What’s in the water out there?”
If it’s wastewater, the answer is probably: nitrogen and phosphorus. Water treatment centers have traditionally just cleaned the water, using chemicals and bacteria. They are now seeking more sustainable alternatives in the midst of stricter scrutiny and higher environmental standards. One of those alternatives is algae farming. Read More
Algae are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis. Certain algae are familiar to most people; for instance, seaweeds (such as kelp or phytoplankton), pond scum or the algal blooms in lakes. However, there exists a vast and varied world of algae that are not only helpful to us, but are critical to our existence. Read More
Phenomena Board
| Investigative Phenomenon | Question to investigate | What we did | What we figured out | Connections to the phenomenon | Questions we still have |
| Module 1 | How can innovations in energy be used to solve complex problems? | Multiple reads & Save the Last Word protocol | Complete with students. | Complete with students. | Complete with students. |
| Module 3 | How do the topics related to algae farming represent the goals of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals? | Connect SDGs to algae farming | Complete with students. | Complete with students. | Complete with students. |
| Module 4 | How can we become experts in our selected topic? | Research & Socratic Seminar | Complete with students. | Complete with students. | Complete with students. |
| Module 5 | How can we prototype a solution? | Design thinking around a solution for the problem presented in the launch. | Complete with students. | Complete with students. | Complete with students. |
Overview
The purpose of Module 1 is for students to discover the impact of energy innovations in solving problems.
Essential Question: How can innovations in energy be used to solve complex problems?
Launch the Anchoring Phenomenon
Curiosity will be sparked by watching a video about an organization that has designed an innovative solution:
Description: Algae food and fuel hope to reduce human dependence on fossil fuels and avert food shortages around the world. Algae fuel works in the same way as fossil fuels but the carbon dioxide released during combustion is carbon taken from the atmosphere in algae photosynthesis. Algae can also be used to create animal feed which currently uses large amounts of soil and water resources. This phenomenon can be used in an energy unit or life science unit related to mass and energy.
Engage (15 min)
Begin class by showing the Algae Fuel video. As students watch, prompt them to think about and take notes in response to these questions:
After video, capture/chart – What are we noticing and wondering about …?
Explore (15 min)
Show the video a second time – what do we notice watching it a second time?
Explain (30 min)
Share this article with students about turning algae into plastic, modeling annotation.
Pause while reading to think aloud and ask students to watch for connections to the opening video. You may choose to use the following questions to guide discussion:
Evaluate (30 min)
After reading, organize students into small groups of 3-4. Introduce the Save the Last Word for Me protocol as a tool to foster academic conversations about what they have read. They will use it to discuss what they noticed in the article and how it connects to the video. The protocol should take approximately 15-20 minutes. Be sure to review how the protocol works (perhaps even model it for them with a couple of students) before they begin in their small groups.
Elaborate (30 min)
Show students this short video about Visual Note-Taking and tell them they are going to use this strategy as a tool to think about what they have learned today.
Pass out blank paper and give students 15-20 minutes to look at their notes and the class chart from the opening video and their notes on the article to create their visual notetaking response to today’s learning. You may consider creating a model for them to see how you would do it.
Reflect (5 min)
On a post-it note or on the back of their visual note-taking, ask students to respond to the following questions:
Collect these and review them to show you what they are thinking about as you close today’s lesson. You may choose to address some of their questions as you begin the next module.
Copyright © 2023 TMA BlueTech
