Students will launch their investigation by exploring California map patterns, examining clues about Earth-changing processes, and generating evidence-based questions for the six-week project.

Students will analyze California map and Ashfall fossil evidence, build shared scientific vocabulary, and refine a question about Earth-surface change. They will then develop and peer-review a fair-test erosion plan that prepares them to collect reliable evidence in the next phase.

Students will conduct and graph an erosion investigation, strengthen California map and Ashfall fossil evidence, compare hazard-reduction designs, and revise exhibit components through two rounds of peer feedback.

Students will present and defend evidence-based explanations of how Earth’s surface changes, share solutions that reduce natural-process impacts, respond to an authentic audience, and complete a final learning-goal self-assessment.