Earth's Systems Survival Challenge Simulation

The purpose of this 8-10 day project is to allow students to investigate Earth’s spheres through an interactive simulation on one of Earth’s islands. Students will begin the simulation by choosing an island. They must research the island type they will be “stranded” on to create a diorama that models the island. Groups will pull Fate Cards each day that will challenge them to describe and use the interactions of Earth’s spheres to survive. Some challenges will provide groups with benefits from the Earth, while others will require careful consideration and engineering designs to overcome challenges.

**Island Reading Passages Included**

Students will follow a daily checklist to ensure they are completing necessary tasks. Some engineering challenges will require changes to student dioramas. Students will journal daily about their interactions with Earth. Journal entries are encouraged to include research with a creative narrative twist.

Students will be engaged and excited throughout this simulation as they investigate Earth’s spheres! This project integrates science, writing, reading, problem solving, and team work! Rubrics are included for the research report, diorama creation, daily journal entries, and group participation! This project requires very little teacher preparation and is almost entirely student directed!

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Amber Socaciu