Emily Currier
Welcome to 6th grade science on the Sapphire team! I’ve been teaching middle and high school science for more than 25 years! I grew up on a farm in northern Michigan and moved to Montana with my husband and kids in 2002. I earned a B.S. in Earth Science/Geography with teacher certification in Secondary Education from Michigan State University and an M.S. in Science Education from Montana State University. (I only attend MSU’s- ha!) I’m passionate about Earth Science and middle school is my absolute favorite level to teach. Can’t wait to dig into some science with you!
Schedule
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1st Period Teacher Prep
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2nd Period Science - 6
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3rd Period Science - 6
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4th Period 4th Period
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5th Period Science - 6
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6th Period Science - 6
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7th Period Science - 6
Geology on Mars
Anchor Phenomenon
Analyzing data about landforms on Mars can provide evidence that Mars may have once been habitable.
Student Role
As planetary geologists, students analyze data about geoscience processes on the surface of Mars, in order to decide whether Mars could have been habitable.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS1-3: Scale in the Solar System
- ESS2-2: Geoscience Processes
Links
Plate Motion
Anchor phenomenon
Mesosaurus fossils have been found on continents separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, even though the Mesosaurus species once lived all together.
Student Role
Students play the role of geologists working for the fictional Museum of West Namibia to investigate Mesosaurus fossils found both in southern Africa and in South America.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS1-4: Strata and Earth Age
- ESS2-2: Geoscience Processes
- ESS2-3: Evidence for Plate Motion
PLATE MOTION ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Anchor phenomenon
Patterns in earthquake data can be used to design an effective tsunami warning system.
Student Role
Students act as mechanical engineering interns to design a tsunami warning system. Students communicate like engineers and scientists do as they use their understanding of plate motion and patterns in data to create and justify their designs.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS3-2: Natural Hazards
- ETS1-1: Criteria and Constraints
- ETS1-2: Evaluating Solutions
- ETS1-3: Analyzing Results
- ETS1-4: Modeling and Iterative Testing
Connections to other performance expectations
- ESS2-2: Geoscience Processes
- ESS2-3: Evidence for Plate Motion
Links
Rock Transformations
Anchor phenomenon
Rock samples from the Great Plains and from the Rocky Mountains — regions hundreds of miles apart — look very different, but have surprisingly similar mineral compositions.
Student Role
Taking on the role of student geologists, students investigate a geologic puzzle: two rock samples, one from the Great Plains and one from the Rocky Mountains, look very different but are composed of a surprisingly similar mix of minerals. Did the rocks form together and somehow get split apart? Or did one rock form first, and then the other rock form from the materials of the first rock? To solve the mystery, students learn about how rock forms and transforms, driven by different energy sources.
Additionally, a guest speaker from the Helena Mineral Society will join us to share their collection of minerals and passion for minerals and rock hunting.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS2-1: Earth’s Materials
- ESS2-2: Geoscience Processes
- ESS3-1: Distribution of Natural Resources
Connections to other performance expectations
- ESS1-3: Scale in the Solar System
- ESS2-3: Evidence for Plate Motion
Links
Earth, Moon and Sun
Anchor phenomenon
An astrophotographer can only take pictures of specific features on the Moon at certain times.
Student Role
Students play the role of student astronomers who must learn about the Earth, Moon, Sun system, including phases and eclipses, in order to advise an astrophotographer who is photographing Moon features.
Addtionally, students experience a read-aloud of the middle grades novel Space Case by Stuart Gibbs. This highly engaging novel provides a fictional (but factual!) account of what living on the first moon colony may be like someday from a tween’s perspective.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS1-1: Earth, Sun, Moon System
- ESS1-2: Gravity
- ESS1-3: Scale in the Solar System
Connections to other performance expectations
- PS2-4: Gravity Depends on Mass
Links
Ocean, Atmosphere and Climate
Anchor phenomenon
During El Niño years, the air temperature in Christchurch, New Zealand is cooler than usual.
Student Role
As climatologists, students must explain the pattern of temperature changes in El Niño years, which are impacting agriculture around the Pacific. They learn about how sunlight, ocean, and atmosphere interact to produce regional climate.
Focal performance expectations
Connections to other performance expectations
- PS1-4: Phase Change
- PS3-3: Thermal Energy Transfer
- ESS2-3: Evidence for Plate Motion
- ESS2-5: Air Masses
- ESS3-2: Natural Hazards
Links
Weather Patterns
Anchor phenomenon
In recent years, rainstorms in Galetown have been unusually severe.
Student Role
Students play the role of forensic meteorologists who must explain why powerful storms have increased after a manmade lake was built. They learn how air masses, water, and energy from the Sun produce weather phenomena.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS2-4: The Water Cycle
- ESS2-5: Air Masses
Connections to other performance expectations
- PS1-4: Phase Change
- PS3-3: Thermal Energy Transfer
- ESS2-1: Earth’s Materials
- ESS2-6: Climate Patterns
- ESS3-2: Natural Hazards
Links
Earth's Changing Climate
Anchor phenomenon
The ice on Earth’s surface is melting.
Student Role
In their role as climatologists, students must explain why Earth’s ice is melting. They learn about how changes in the atmosphere are affecting the energy balance in the Earth’s system, and about humans’ role in these changes.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS3-3: Designs to Minimize Impact
- ESS3-4: Human Population
- ESS3-5: Factors for Global Temperature
Connections to other performance expectations
- LS2-1: Resources and Populations
- LS2-4: Changes Affect Populations
- ESS3-2: Natural Hazards
EARTH’S CHANGING CLIMATE ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
Anchor phenomenon
Designing rooftops with different modifications can reduce a city’s impact on climate change.
Student Role
As civil engineering interns, students apply design and engineering concepts as they create a plan for making changes to building rooftops. Their goal is to make a city more energy efficient, and thus reduce the carbon dioxide produced from combustion.
Focal performance expectations
- ESS3-3: Designs to Minimize Impact
- ETS1-1: Criteria and Constraints
- ETS1-2: Evaluating Solutions
- ETS1-3: Analyzing Results
- ETS1-4: Modeling and Iterative Testing
Connections to other performance expectations
- PS4-2: Waves Interact with Materials
- ESS3-5: Factors for Global Temperature
Links
