How Does the Earth Change?

Examine the two models below to answer the following questions:
NGSS Phenomena: An animation showing the differences in how light falls on the earth at different times of the year.
NGSS Phenomena: An animation showing that during some parts of the year, there's ice in the northern hemisphere, and at other parts of the year, the ice in the northern hemisphere melts and it become more cold in the southern hemisphere.
Credit: John Nelson

1. Identify and analyze at least 2 differences and 2 similarities between these two models.

2. Choose one of the models and explain how you would revise it with information that you’ve learned about the seasons and why we see this pattern every year.

3. What patterns do you observe where you live that these models can help explain?

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This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System

  • ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars

  • MS-ESS1-1

  • Patterns

This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • MS-ESS1-1

  • Patterns

  • Developing and Using Models

This free response question aligns to the following standards

  • ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars

  • ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System

  • Patterns

  • MS-ESS1-1

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