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What's the Big Deal? Lesson PlanWhat's the Big Deal? Lesson Plan
Publisher
NOAA
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
9th - 12th
Subjects
Science
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
3 hrs
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
5 more...
Technology
Video
Projection
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Public Domain
Language
English, Spanish
Lesson Plan

What's the Big Deal?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This What's the Big Deal? lesson plan also includes:
  • Volume One: Why Do We Explore? Complete Book
  • Framework Correlations
  • NGSS Performance Expectations
  • What's The Big Deal? Spanish Version
  • Activity
  • Worksheet
  • Vocabulary
  • Graphic & Image
  • Join to access all included materials

Who knew that a possible answer to Earth's energy resource problems was lurking deep beneath the ocean's surface? Part four of a six-part series introduces Earth Science pupils to methane hydrate, a waste product of methanogens. After groups research the topic and present their findings, they construct a methane hydrate model to show its unique structure.

10 Views 9 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

methane, oceans, ocean exploration, extremophile, alternative energy sources, greenhouse gases, the greenhouse effect, extinction, temperature, pressure

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Create a methane hydrate model of your own prior to construction of student models
  • Consider having computers with Internet access available during the group research portion of the lesson

Classroom Considerations

  • Prior knowledge of geometric shapes (pentagon) and chemical structures is helpful for completing all aspects of the lesson
  • Prepare materials for methane hydrate models in advance, taking into account your number of working groups

Pros

  • Lesson provides a more in-depth look at methanogens than generally found in life sciences materials for this level
  • All materials are provided in the teacher's guide, including detailed plans for building the models
  • Shows the pros and cons of obtaining and using the substance as an alternative energy source

Cons

  • None

Common Core

HSG-MG.A.1

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Methane Hydrates – What's the Big Deal?

NOAA
Have you ever tried to light ice on fire? With methane hydrate, you can do exactly that. The ice forms with methane inside so it looks like ice, but is able to burn. The instructional activity uses group research and a hands-on activity...
9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

What Is a "Model"?

Colorado State University
Model the transfer of energy during a typical 24-hour period. Young scholars use a game-like approach to learning the patterns of heat transfer through the day and night. Groups of four exchange different tokens as the energy...
6th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Solar System Model

Virginia Department of Education
How many planets can you name? Did you get all 13 in our solar system, including the dwarf planets, or were you surprised when you read there are 13 planets? The instructional activity helps scholars understand the scale of the universe...
9th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Greenhouse Gas Modeling Activity

Virginia Department of Education
Why are greenhouse gases called greenhouse gases? Young Earth scientists learn about greenhouse gases though experimentation in the second installment of a 3-part series. They use lamps to model radiant energy as well...
9th - 12th Science
AP Test Prep

2009 AP® Environmental Science Free-Response Questions

College Board
How do genetically modified crops affect agricultural practices? This is one of four environmental questions scholars respond to in an AP® test prep resource. Other topics include methane digesters, water runoff, and nitrogen-based...
10th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Feeling the Heat

American Physiological Society
How do the changing seasons affect the homes where we live? This question is at the forefront of engineering and design projects. Challenge your physical science class to step into the role of an architect to build a model home...
9th - 12th Science
Instructional Video

Newman Projections, Alkanes, Cycloalkanes, and Functional Groups, Organic chemistry

Khan Academy
Sal starts this video with a short 3D methane molecule structure review. He then continues to demonstrate possible configurations for ethane. A ball-and-stick model is drawn, and viewers will find the labeling of bonds helpful as a...
14 mins 10th - Higher Ed Science
Interactive

Functional Groups

Royal Society of Chemistry
Looking for a highly functional tool to teach young chemists functional groups? Engage the class with a series of logic-based games. Users identify 12 different functional groups by name and formula to work their way through challenging...
6th - 12th Science
Instructional Video

The Functional Group Concept

Fuse School
Ready to put the fun in functional groups? Introduce your class to this fundamental part of organic chemistry with a short video. The narrator explains the structure and naming system of hydrocarbons, as well as the elements and bonding...
5 mins 10th - Higher Ed Science
Interactive

Organic Names—Functional Groups

Royal Society of Chemistry
Worried that your lesson plan about functional groups is dysfunctional? Liven things up with interactive puzzles! Curious chemists arrange functional groups based on name, formula, suffix, and an example. The challenge begins when the...
6th - 12th Science
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