Environmental Impacts on the Human Population - 6 Case Studies HS.ESS3-1

This activity is included in my 1.3/1.4 Lesson Segment Bundle

This series of case studies on examples of natural hazards, availability of resources, and climate changes that have impacted the human population. This is taught in my Living Earth class - a 3 Course Model incorporating ESS standards.

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.

For each case study there is a small reading section and a link to a short youtube video for greater visuals. Some have graphs and practice data for students to analyze and draw conclusions. Each case study has summary questions as well.

Following the case studies is a climate model with predictions for how the mean temperature will change globally. Students will make predictions on how the population will respond to this shift in climate.

Case study examples include:

Easter Island

Direnkuyu

Kilauea Volcanic Eruption

Sacramento City Raising

Plains Native American Migrations

Salinity of Rice Paddies after Tsunami

I use this activity as a jigsaw for my class of 36 to split into 6 groups of 6. Each studying a different case study and then mixing up the students to teach the others. They then work together to make predictions on global climate change and how the human population will be impacted and respond.