Phenomena: Ruben’s Tube
Students will use the Ruben’s tube as a grounding phenomena as they explore the intersection of science and music and the topic of renewable gas.
Next Generation Science Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
| NGSS Performance Expectations | Where to find it |
| HS-LS2-3: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. | L1, L2 |
| HS-LS2-4: Use mathematical representation to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystem | L5 |
| HS-LS2-7: Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity | L7 |
| HS-ESS2-4: Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate. | L6 |
| HS-ESS2-6: Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. | L5 |
| Social Justice Standard | Where to find it |
| JU.9-12.12: I can recognize, describe and distinguish unfairness and injustice at different levels of society. | L6 |
| AC.9-12.17: I take responsibility for standing up to exclusion, prejudice, and injustice | L6 |
| AC.9-12.20: I will join with diverse people to plan and carry out collective action against exclusion, prejudice, and discrimination, and we will be thoughtful and creative in our actions in order to achieve our goals | L6 |
Lesson 1: Exploring a Ruben’s Tube Through Sensemaking
This lesson will use natural gas, like what is produced in a classroom biodigestor, to power a phenomena to either make a Ruben’s Tube where flames dance to the pulse of music.
Lesson 2: Dissecting a Compost Bin
Students will be dissecting a compost bin to identify the organisms in it, create food web of the organisms in a compost bin, list the inputs and outputs of a compost pile and it’s biological community.
Lesson 3: What Happens to Waste?
With a partner, students will start off by brainstorming a list of things that are in their household trash, if we were to open a bag. Ideas are compiled into a class list. Then using the infographic, students will create a flow-chart of what happens to municipal waste. Working with their partner, they will pick one place on the flow-chart where waste could be reduced, recycled or reused. This will be shared with the class. Students will then find one place that handles waste and write a short letter explaining how that entity can reduce,recycle or reuse waste so it limits what makes it to landfills. Next, students will explore careers in biofuels by creating a careers trading card that summarized jobs in the field. If available, this would be a great time to do a real or virtual tour of a waste handling facility or landfill.
Lesson 4: Local Policies on Waste Management
Through either a guest speaker (prefered), teacher provided resources and/or printed summaries of federal, state, and local ordinances students will identify the constraints on how waste is handled in their community. Since each community and state has different regulations it is ideal to get a guest speaker for this or have the students work off of a set of internet links researched by and provided by the teacher.
Lesson 5: Carbon Cycling and Human Impact
Students will create a visual model of the carbon cycle that shows carbon sinks and movement. Students will then use their model to predict where carbon will end up when certain human activities alter the flow of carbon.
Lesson 6: Energy Justice and Renewable Fuels
Students will list the different ways that people in their community live and decide if all types of homes have the same access to renewable energy. Then, in small groups students will fill out a graphic organizer with information from a teacher provided resource on a specific way renewable energy is being made accessible to all, whether this resource exists for people in our community and action steps to make it happen. Each group will then make a poster to present to the class.
Lesson 7: Humans and a Low Carbon Future
Students will complete two activities to summarize what they have learned over the course of the unit.