Espeth needs diamonds to support future technological and planned building projects but we are running low. This storyline “drills down” into how diamonds form within the Earth, Earth’s inner structure, and how humans have been able to extract diamonds from the ground with the help of technology.
MS-ESS2-3: Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions. MS-ESS3-1: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
diamond formation and extraction; Earth's structure, human impacts, technology, volcano, tectonic plates, rock cycle, igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary
Mines have impacted many communities both positively and negatively. Mines have also had many negative impacts on surrounding ecosystems. Diamonds are commonly mined for jewelry but serve other purposes as well. Students can explore the juxtaposition between needing natural resources and the impact this has on people and environments.
Espeth needs diamonds, and Summer needs help determining how to get them. Students learn about what diamonds are made of, where they are formed, and how they are extracted on Earth.
Students dig into the rock cycle, rock properties, and plate tectonics. Using all of this knowledge, students help Summer determine where on Espeth diamonds may be found.
Students learn more about the positive and negative effects of mining on communities and environments, and sharpen their math skills to help plan a mine that minimizes ecological damage. Will they be able to mine enough diamonds to support Espeth?
