Task Overview
In this task, you will explore the Human Settlement & Migration Simulator to investigate how natural resources, natural hazards, and climate change influence human activity and migration. You will analyze historical and modern scenarios to construct an evidence-based explanation.
Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes Materials: Computer with internet access, Human Settlement & Migration Simulator
1. Engage: Phenomena Observation
Observe the anchoring phenomenon: Historically, human populations have clustered around vital resources, but natural disasters and long-term climate shifts repeatedly force mass migrations.
- What factors do you think pull humans toward a specific region? _____
- What natural events might push a population to leave their established settlements? _____
2. Explore: Gathering Data
Open the Human Settlement & Migration Simulator.
- Historical Nile River Valley: Select the “Nile River Valley” scenario and click “Start Sim”. Observe where the population settles. Record the population size after 5 simulation years.
- Hazards: Trigger the “River Flood” hazard. Record what happens to the population size and settlement distribution.
- Climate Change: Switch to the “Climate Refugees” scenario. Trigger “Sea Level Rise (+1m)” and observe the migration patterns.
Data Collection Table
| Scenario / Hazard | Initial Population | Population After Event | Observations on Settlement / Migration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nile / Baseline | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Nile / River Flood | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Refugee / Sea Level | _____ | _____ | _____ |
3. Explain: Constructing Explanations
Using your data, construct a scientific explanation answering the following prompt: Prompt: How do the availability of natural resources and the occurrence of natural hazards or climate changes influence human activity and migration?
Your explanation must include:
- Claim: A clear statement answering the prompt.
- Evidence: Specific data points (population sizes, migration directions) from your exploration of the simulator.
- Reasoning: A logical connection using the concept of cause and effect to explain why the hazards caused the observed changes in population distribution.
4. Elaborate/Evaluate: Extension & Assessment
Extension
Explore the “Dust Bowl” scenario and trigger the “Severe Drought” hazard. How does this historical event compare to the modern “Climate Refugee” scenario in terms of the scale and causes of migration? ___ _______
Student Deliverable
Submit your completed Data Collection Table and your constructed explanation (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning).
Teacher Notes
NGSS Alignment:
- Performance Expectation: HS-ESS3-1: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
- Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI): ESS3.A: Natural Resources, ESS3.B: Natural Hazards
- Crosscutting Concepts (CCC): Cause and Effect
Evidence Statement Mapping:
- Cause and effect relationships: Students fulfill this by identifying how specific environmental factors (e.g., floods, droughts, sea level rise) cause shifts in population size and migration (Explain section).
- Evidence: Students gather valid and reliable evidence from the simulation, logging population data and migration observations in their tables to support their claims (Explore and Explain sections).