What if you could challenge your eighth graders to design a racing vehicle with minimum environmental impact, while exploring the role of renewable and non-renewable energy sources? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! The Speed of Green outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, eight-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students explore the potential role of renewable and non-renewable energy sources in transportation, with an emphasis on the auto industry. Using their understanding of the engineering design process (EDP), scientific concepts, and environmental conservation considerations, student teams will develop a plan for a competitive automobile racing team to fuel its vehicle with minimal environmental impact. To support this goal, students will do the following: Identify finite energy resources and distinguish between these and renewable energy sources, and identify implications of the use of those fuel sources on the environment Conduct life cycle analyses (LCAs) of various fuel sources and apply the results to make decisions about the effects of various fuel sources Identify several ways that carbon-based fuels have impacted the U.S. economy and foreign relations Identify the effects of human activities on the biosphere with an emphasis on the effects of the widespread use of carbon-based fuels Apply the engineering design process (EDP) to solve a problem, and design and build a small-scale electric vehicle Synthesize their learning and working collaboratively by creating and presenting a plan for a race team that minimizes its environmental impact Create an engaging presentation incorporating oral presentations and visual displays to present projects to an audience of peers, teachers, and industry professionals. The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, The Speed of Green can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

What if you could challenge your kindergarten students to compare their local habitats with other habitats in the United States? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Habitats in the United States outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, three-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students look at their own neighborhood, city, state, and beyond to learn about the geography and habitats of various regions of the United States. Students will gather information on habitats and their similarities and differences based on weather, climate, and the animals, plants, and people residing there, to develop a reference manual for local zoo officials reorganizing their animal displays. To support this goal, students will do the following: Explain that there are different types of habitats in different parts of the U.S. Explain how various habitats sustain animals and plants Identify climatic characteristics of several habitats Apply their knowledge of habitats to develop a reference guide about habitats in the U.S. Utilize technology to gather research information and communicate Identify technological advances and tools that scientists use to learn about sustainable systems Design and construct models of habitats Understand local weather patterns and make connections among weather patterns and plant and animal life where they live The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Habitats in the United States can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

What if you could challenge your first graders to imagine saving an endangered species, learning about different global habitats along the way? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Habitats Local and Far Away outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, four-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students develop an action plan to encourage preservation of an endangered species. Students will work in teams to describe the habitat characteristics of a species outside their home region, explain why the species is endangered, and offer solutions about how humans might be able to support this species’ survival. In developing their plan, they will act as explorers of species locally and around the world, learning about climate, plant and animal inhabitants, and key factors affecting habitat vitality or decline. To support this goal, students will do the following: Explain that there are various types of habitats that vary with geographical location around the world Identify several habitats in the U.S. and globally Explain how various habitats meet animals’ basic needs Identify climatic characteristics of several habitats Identify humans as species that live within and in interaction with various habitats Identify technological advances and tools that scientists use to learn about habitats and endangered species Design and construct models to demonstrate understanding of features of various habitats (local and global) and endangered species Apply their knowledge of habitat characteristics, interdependence in ecosystems, and endangered species to develop an action plan to help preserve their selected endangered species The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Habitats Local and Far Away can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

What if you could challenge your seventh-grade students to explore mathematical principles as well as global population issues as they consider population density? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Global Population Issues outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, four-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students to devise a model for counting populations of a given species on Earth and develop a formal presentation of their models for consideration by a panel of experts. Students will examine species’ ecosystems, explore global populations with an economic and geographical lens, take on the role of an urban planner to develop a megacity that incorporates what they have researched and learned about the consequences of population density and overpopulation, and share literature relevant to their applied species model. To support this goal, students will do the following: Explore how to gather information about a population and make valid generalizations and inferences from this information Utilize mathematical practices to complete mathematical explorations Explore the impact of population density on humans and the environment Communicate learning and experiences about population density and its influence on humans and the environment through various forms of writing, speaking, and analyzing non-fiction text Explore the historical, social, geographical, and economic factors related to population density The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Global Population Issues can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

What if you could challenge your fifth-grade students to investigate the role of composting in solid waste management? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Composting outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, four-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students use the engineering design process (EDP) to design and create prototypes of compost systems and build a full-scale composting system for school use. Students will synthesize their learning about biotic and abiotic factors, decomposition, and engineering design as they learn about various types of compost systems, create their own portable compost bins, and create materials for a composting publicity campaign at their school. To support this goal, students will do the following: Identify and explain interdependent relationships in ecosystems Compare and contrast several ecosystems Describe how compost systems are designed and constructed and apply this understanding to creating prototypes of various compost systems Understand the concept of scale and apply this understanding to create scaled models of compost systems Apply their understanding of composting, compost systems, and the EDP to create a full-scale compost system for the school Measure various characteristics of compost The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Composting can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

What if you could challenge your fourth graders to create a minimally invasive, highly efficient dam? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Hydropower Efficiency outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, four-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students create a highly efficient dam that has a minimal impact on the environment. Students will explore the use of natural resources to provide energy needs, specifically hydropower, while exploring the workings of watermills, wind turbines, and generators to help build an understanding of the effects of dams. In creating their dam, they will learn about the various types of alternative hydropower sources, including wave and tidal power, and track the progress of electrification in the U.S. on a timeline; alongside researching the positive and negative consequences of hydropower. To support this goal, students will do the following: Use the engineering design process (EDP) to create a design for a dam, wind turbine, and water wheel Compare and contrast renewable power sources Evaluate power sources for efficiency Identify positive and negative consequences of human modifications of the environment Identify and describe how several sources of renewable energy are used across the U.S. Use mapping skills to determine where natural resources are being accessed for energy usage Effectively utilize shapes, materials, and measurements to create a model of a hydropower system The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Hydropower Efficiency can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

Get students in grade 8 reading with Reading Engagement! This 128-page resource provides instructional reading practice for below-average and reluctant readers, independent reading activities for average readers, and supplemental reading for more-competent readers. The book includes high-interest, low-readability stories, a reading-level analysis for reading selections, and answer keys.