Coastal Investigation Using SandSnap Database
Summary
Students will learn about sediment properties and use these properties to analyze coastal processes. Data for this activity is provided. Students will infer the direction of longshore transport and test their hypothesis with aerial imagery from Google Earth. Students will also investigate the relationship between sediment size and shoreline stability. These investigations were designed to support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The content presented here addresses the disciplinary core idea ESS2.A (Earth Materials and Systems). These activities use the principles of weathering processes and the resulting sediment characteristics to make predictions about the coast. Students will also validate their predictions with imagery from Google Earth.
This lesson was developed with the help of Gretchen Cessna from Harrisonburg High School (VA), Brian McFall (USACE), and Andrew Stinson (undergraduate at JMU).
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Context
Audience
This activity has been designed to address the NGSS for Earth Sciences at the 4th-grade level. However, this activity could be used through high school by varying the amount of support provided by the instructor.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
No previous knowledge needed.
How the activity is situated in the course
This activity is designed as a stand-alone exercise.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Students will...
Predict the direction of sediment transport based on sediment properties. (investigation 1)
Test their predictions using imagery from Google Earth. (investigation 2)
Develop an explanation for why sediment size varies by location and test their explanation with data. (investigation 3)
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
qualitative data analysis
critical thinking
Other skills goals for this activity
working in groups
online research to collect virtual data
optional: group presentation
Description and Teaching Materials
Instructor Materials: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FJtIVCevgv6YNRiMxLpyiOzT_nbAb4h_1wVuVpUOtt4/edit?usp=sharing
Student Materials: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vrKwi8nxeeRoZW2dxI6Y9iD0dhppcdCbcA3Zsh2V008/edit?usp=sharing
Supporting Data: https://arcg.is/1WyyTj
SandSnap Database: https://sandsnap-erdcchl.hub.arcgis.com/
Teaching Notes and Tips
Teaching notes are included in the instructor's materials.
Assessment
A student handout is included to guide students through this activity. The worksheet can also be used for assessment. Instructors may choose to have students orally present their findings or write a lab report, depending on the students' ability and the time available.