Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Standards COSTA RICA Waves & Waterfalls

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1 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science On a WorldStrides science action adventure program, students experience science like they never have before, as they visit some of the most educational and exciting destinations Costa Rica has to offer. WorldStrides educational activities support, at minimum, various Next Generation Science for students at the 6-12 level. Most importantly, our hands-on approach focuses on developing students understanding of inquiry-based science through investigation and experimentation. Please note that standards selected for grades 9-12 also incorporate standards selected for grade 6-8 in addition to application of greater depth and breadth of standards appropriate to a high school science curriculum. Program content for grades 6-8 may also draw from standards for grades 9-12, with appropriate adjustment for learning objectives and level. Orientation Students participate in a team building exercise and learn about the history of Costa Rican environments, food mile calculations, and food production as they travel to one of the country s most diverse regions. MS-LS1-4. Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively. evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an MS-LS2-4. Construct an empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

2 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Hacienda Guachipelin Students explore the form and function of an ecotourism hotel and ranch at the foot of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Students delve into the significance of tourism s relationship to environmental preservation efforts. MS-ESS3-4. Construct an evidence for how increases in human population and percapita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems. MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity. HS-ESS3-2. Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on costbenefit ratios. HS-ESS3-4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.

3 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park Students explore the rainforest surrounding the volcano and learn about its overall health as they traverse the volcano s surroundings and learn how plants and animals have reestablished populations over time after volcanic activity. evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an MS-LS2-4. Construct an empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. MS-ESS2-2. Construct an evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales. HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes. MS-ESS3-1. Construct a on uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. HS-LS2-8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species chances to survive and reproduce. MS-LS1-6. Construct a on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms. MS-LS2-3. Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an

4 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Waterfall Swim Students ride on horseback to a waterfall and enjoy a swim in its pristine waters. They explore the significance of waterfalls in the context of ecotourism with relation to environmental preservation and the effects of human impacts on waterfall-rich ecosystems. MS-ESS3-1. Construct a on uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. MS-LS4-4. Construct an evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. MS-LS2-3. Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an MS-ESS3-4. Construct an evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems. HS-LS4-4. Construct an evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations. HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.

5 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Tubing on Whitewater Rapids Students discover abundant wildlife as they ride from the base of Victoria Waterfall down the crystal clear and rushing waters of Rio Blanco. They further explore the significance of waterfalls to environmental preservation and the effects of human impacts on ecosystems. MS-ESS3-1. Construct a on uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. MS-LS4-4. Construct an evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. MS-ESS3-4. Construct an evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems. HS-LS4-4. Construct an evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations. HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.

6 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Canopy Tour Hooked to a zip line, students soar through the forest treetops in the canyon created by Rio Blanco and observe life in the Costa Rican rainforest from a bird s eye perspective. During this exhilarating adventure, they experience the amazing diversity of species in the company of expert guides. evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an MS-LS4-4. Construct an evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses HS-LS4-4. Construct an evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations. HS-LS4-5. Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species. Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses

7 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Mud Bath Students relax in natural volcanic clay from the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. They discuss the relationship of water processes and volcanic activity as they experience a cool river water shower. Students further discuss/analyze the quality of volcanic spring water in order to compare the results with water in other locations. MS-ESS2-2. Construct an evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales. MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity. HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes. MS-ESS3-1. Construct a on uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. Sensoria Students explore one of the most outstanding ecosystems in the New World Tropics and learn how a variety of environmental factors contribute to extremely high biodiversity. Students will conduct observations and gather data as they hike through the most efficient nutrient cycle on the planet. They witness various plants and animals up-close as they travel on foot through the forest. evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an MS-LS2-4. Construct an empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. MS-LS1-7. Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism. HS-LS4-2. Construct an evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment. HS-LS4-4. Construct an evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations. MS-LS2-3. Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an

8 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Whitewater Rafting Adventure Students learn about the importance of teamwork as they raft through multiple habitat zones, keeping an eye out for various species and their success and diversity across ecosystems. MS-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems. MS-ESS3-1. Construct a on uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes Wildlife Center Students meet with a conservationist to discuss the importance of wildlife rehabilitation in a country known for its progressive environmental policies: leading the Americas as the first to ban recreational hunting. Students consider various practices for habitat conservation and species preservation in this unique context. evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an MS-LS2-4. Construct an empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. HS-ESS3-2. Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios. MS-ESS3-4. Construct an evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems. MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.

9 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Service Project Students lend a hand for wildlife rehabilitation at Centro de Rescate de las Pumas. They delve into the challenges of species preservation, even in an atmosphere supportive of habitat protection. Students get up-close-and-personal with Costa Rica s wildlife as they help care for injured species (and the center that supports rescue efforts) from each and every Costa Rican ecosystem, such as pumas, jaguars, deer, monkeys, toucans, and more. MS-LS1-7. Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism. MS-LS2-5. Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.. Beach Research Exercise Students engage with the tools of biologists and conservation scientists in studying and preserving coastal ecosystems. Students practice data-gathering and analysis to answer questions about the functions of and the challenges facing Costa Rica s beaches. Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an MS-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems. Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new HS-LS2-8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species chances to survive and reproduce.

10 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Riverboat Tour Students learn how to identify native and migratory birds by sight and song on a riverboat tour through Palo Verde National Park, a migratory stop for more than 60 species of birds. Students practice formal scientific observation, recording, and analysis techniques. They further explore the significance of preservation efforts in one of the most endangered ecosystems in Costa Rica. Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an MS-LS2-4. Construct an empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. MS-ESS3-4. Construct an evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems. MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses HS-ESS3-2. Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.

11 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Surf Lesson Students engage with the physics of the perfect break at Tamarindo, a well-known surfing destination. They explore the form and function of the beach through a series of field exercises, including: Wave physics data collection Beach profiling Winds, currents, and velocities Coastal plant identification MS-ESS3-1. Construct a on uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity. MS-PS3-2. Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. MS-PS3-5. Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object. HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes. HS-PS3-1. Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known. HS-ESS2-1. Develop a model to illustrate how Earth s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.

12 Educational Activities to Support Next Generation Science Cultural Excursion Students explore real-world environments and enjoy the opportunity to exercise developing cultural competence and linguistic skills in an authentic Costa Rican Beach town. They practice navigating the essentials of money exchange, cultural interaction, and language. Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses Interdisciplinary opportunity to apply the following science skills: Generating hypotheses