S9-U6L2 Part 3

S9-U6L2 Part 4

Unit Connections

Engineering Connection

Exploring Deep-Sea Vents

More than two kilometers below the ocean surface, scorching water jets out of the seafloor along the mid-ocean ridge. A rich ecosystem of bacteria, tubeworms, crabs, and a variety of other organisms survive on the warmth and chemicals provided by these hot springs. Exploring the submarine hot springs is challenging. Scientists and engineers have had to design vehicles that can travel deep underwater and navigate through rugged terrain without sunlight. They have had to build equipment to withstand the extreme pressure from the water above as well as the temperatures ranging from 4 °C to greater than 350 °C. 

Robotic vehicles such as JASON are used to explore the deep ocean floor. 

EVIDENCE NOTEBOOK

Using the Internet resources, research the challenges of conducting investigations in the dark at high pressures and temperatures. Develop a model of a piece of technology that is used to investigate submarine hot springs and vent communities, and explain how the technology is designed to deal with these challenges.

Biology Connection

Using Earth’s Magnetic Field

People use Earth’s magnetic field for navigation using compass needles, which point toward Earth’s magnetic poles. Scientists have discovered that many other organisms—including certain types of birds, bats, fish, worms, and bacteria—also navigate or orient themselves using Earth’s magnetic field. The ability to sense a magnetic field is known as magnetoreception. Since the strength and direction of the magnetic field depends on location, organisms with magnetoreception can use it to orient themselves.

Homing pigeons can use Earth’s magnetic field to find their way back to their nests from hundreds of kilometers away. 

EVIDENCE NOTEBOOK

Use Internet resources to find out more about magnetoreception. Find out what types of organisms have this ability, how they use it, and exactly how they sense magnetic fields. As you conduct your research, make a list of questions you have. What questions do scientists still have about magnetoreception?

Literature Connection

Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions in Folklore

People have tried to explain natural events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions for thousands of years. Many of these explanations are in the form of myths and legends, or folklore. Native Hawaiians, for example, believed that volcanic eruptions were caused by Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, dance, wind, and volcanoes. People in Siberia told a story of a god named Tuli, who drove a dogsled over Earth. When the dogs stopped to scratch fleas, the ground would shake.

In Japan, people traditionally attributed earthquakes to the movement of a giant catfish called Namazu. 

EVIDENCE NOTEBOOK

Use Internet resources to research myths and legends about earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Compare stories from different regions and cultures, such as Greek, Roman, Hawaiian, Native American, Maori, and Japanese. How are they similar and different? What do the stories say about both the culture and the geography of the region?

Research Timeline

Week 20 (Jan. 25-29, 2021)