MISSION 4

Sharing Science Learning
with Constructing Explanations

Scientists do not simply give opinions. Scientists use evidence to support claims and explain their reasoning.

⚙ Mission Time: 1:30–2:30 ⚙

Mission Commander Briefing

Agents, for centuries people have wondered why Earth experiences seasons.

Many people believe the seasons happen because Earth is closer to the Sun during summer and farther away during winter.

But is that explanation supported by evidence?

Today, Mission Control has recovered new evidence. Your job is to investigate Earth's tilt and seasons and construct an evidence-based scientific explanation.

Mission Countdown

60:00

START PAUSE RESET

Mission Success Criteria

By the end of this mission, I can:

• ☐ Use evidence from a model to explain Earth's seasons.
• ☐ Construct a claim supported by evidence and reasoning.
• ☐ Explain how Earth's tilt affects the amount and angle of sunlight.
• ☐ Describe how constructing explanations supports student sensemaking.

Open Envelope 4

✉️

Mission Materials

Open Envelope 4 and prepare your investigation tools.

Materials: flashlight or lamp, globe or foam ball, skewer or axis marker, investigation guide, and CER organizer.

Mission Directive 01: Investigate the Phenomenon

Incoming Evidence: Earth, Sun, and Seasons

Study the diagram below. Do not explain it yet. Start with observations and questions.

SUN

Notice: What changes as Earth moves around the Sun?

Wonder: What questions do you have about the diagram?

Predict: What might cause summer and winter?

Mission Directive 02: Test the Model

Set Up the System

Use the flashlight as the Sun. Use the globe or foam ball as Earth. Mark the axis so Earth remains tilted in the same direction as it moves around the Sun.

Collect Evidence

• Observe where the light is most direct.
• Compare the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Notice how the angle of sunlight changes.
• Look for evidence that challenges the distance explanation.

Do Not Jump to the Answer

Your goal is not to memorize the cause of seasons. Your goal is to use evidence from the model to construct an explanation.

Mission Directive 03: Build a Scientific Explanation

Official Mission Report: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Use CER to construct an explanation that answers the mission question: What causes Earth's seasons?

Claim

Write your claim. What do you think causes Earth's seasons?

Evidence

List evidence from your model, observations, and research.

Reasoning

Explain why your evidence supports your claim. Use science ideas about Earth's tilt, sunlight angle, and direct rays.

Mission Directive 04: Research Files

Mission Control Archives

Use the research files to gather additional evidence. Then return to your CER and revise your explanation.

Research File 001
What Causes the Seasons?

Use NASA Space Place to investigate the role of Earth's tilted axis and direct sunlight.

Open NASA Resource

Research File 002
Why Does Earth Have Seasons?

Use NOAA's explanation to compare tilt, direct rays, and the common distance misconception.

Open NOAA Resource

Research File 003
Constructing Explanations

Review how students construct scientific explanations using evidence and reasoning.

Open SEP Resource

Mission Directive 05: Revise and Share

Revise Your Explanation

Return to your CER. Add new evidence, strengthen your reasoning, and remove ideas that are not supported by the investigation.

Peer Review

Exchange explanations with another team. Identify the claim, evidence, and reasoning. Ask one question that could make their explanation stronger.

Submit to Mission Control

Prepare a final explanation that could be shared with students. Make sure it is understandable, evidence-based, and scientifically accurate.

Mission Debrief

Discuss with Your Team

• What makes an explanation scientific?
• How did the model help you gather evidence?
• Where did your reasoning become stronger?
• How does constructing explanations support student sensemaking?
• How is CER different from simply answering a question?

Mission 4 Complete

You investigated Earth's tilt and seasons, gathered evidence from a model, and constructed a scientific explanation using claim, evidence, and reasoning.

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