Earth and Space Science for Young Learners (Call for Papers)

October 2020: Earth and Space Science for Young Learners

Deadline January 15, 2020 This issue will focus on our youngest learners as they develop essential understandings of their world. We are looking for classroom-tested, three-dimensional lessons or units about the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Earth and Space (ESS). How are students learning about the movements and patterns of celestial objects (ESS1), weather and climate (ESS2), as well as human impact on Earth’s systems (ESS3)? With topics so broad, extensive, and in some cases far, far away, how are we helping our young learners build core understandings in Earth and Space Science?

Whether it's patterns of motion of the Sun, Moon, and stars or the geologic patterns affecting our Earth's surface, there are multiple entry points for authentic learning of the world in which we live. Article suggestions for this issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Describe a three-dimension teaching and learning experience for young learners as they develop specific key learning concepts in ESS1, ESS2, or ESS3.

• Share student misconceptions in Earth and Space Science (ESS) and how structured learning opportunities can help students conceptualize their thinking to provide long-lasting, foundational understandings.

• Describe lessons where students develop core ESS understandings through visualizing and modeling.

• Share how focusing on crosscutting concepts (i.e., stability and change) can help students learn about Earth's history, including recent climate history.

• Provide engineering examples of student-designed solutions to weather-related hazards.