Students will participate in hands-on learning that reinforces core science topics from the Next Generation Science Standards through fun activities designed to make learning enjoyable and memorable. Classes are designed to help students improve and reinforce their science skills while having fun.  The unit culminates with a design-engineering project in which students come up with a creative way to help humans and countries manage natural resources. Each week session will have a specific focus as described below.

In this summer session, students will explore the Earth and its processes, and develop models to describe the flow of energy and the cycling of Earth’s materials. They will infer how the rock and water cycles contribute to the changing Earth. After understanding the major Earth systems, students will consider how humans play into the changing Earth.

Week 1
Topic: Our Earth
In this lesson, students will explore Earth as a constantly changing place. They will read about the flow of energy on Earth and consider how this energy powers the Earth's cycles. Students will then analyze a series of images to answer the question: "What are the visible changes we can see on the surface of Earth that result from the flows of energy and material cycles on the planet?"

Week 2
Topic: The Rock Cycle
In this lesson, students will explore Earth as a constantly changing place. They will read about the flow of energy on Earth and consider how this energy powers the Earth's cycles. Students will then analyze a series of images to answer the question: "What are the visible changes we can see on the surface of Earth that result from the flows of energy and material cycles on the planet?"

Week 3
Topic: The Water Cycle
In this lesson, students will develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems, considering how energy from the sun and the force of gravity drive these processes. Students will explore how the processes of the water cycle are visible in their everyday lives.

Week 4
Topic: Human Impact on Earth
In this lesson, students will develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems, considering how energy from the sun and the force of gravity drive these processes. Students will explore how the processes of the water cycle are visible in their everyday lives.

Week 5
Topic: Design- Engineering Challenge
Students will apply their knowledge of energy to a final design-engineering project.

Week 6
Unit Assessment and Gallery Share
Students will wrap up the unit with an assessment targeting students’ ability to think critically about the material.