Homeland Security Science I

Greetings, Instructors!

Welcome to the repository for the “Homeland Security Science I” course within the MSDE CTE HSEP program. What follows are lesson plans and pre-developed, “plug and play” slide presentations designed to provide you with the ability to teach any lesson within any unit of the course. The development team realizes that all instructors experience a great deal of student and classroom variance – it’s just part of the job! These lessons are designed to give instructors the autonomy to adapt each learning experience – and the learning environment itself – to fit their students’ needs. It’s our hope that the scope and sequence of these lessons can help you increase your students’ learning, and improve your own experience teaching, in meaningful ways. Please note the following:

1. The lessons are designed to be useful to the instructor with minimal preparation. A complete readthrough is required, and the exploration of all resources is recommended.
2. The language of the learning objects is designed to be adaptable to your individual school system’s requirements.
3. The presentation slide deck is designed to be used to guide the lesson in its entirety.
4. The timing and pacing of the lesson are not designed to fit into a specific timeframe. Some lessons may take multiple class periods, depending on the background knowledge and capabilities of the students.
5. Wherever possible, the lessons have been designed to be culturally inclusive. Please make all adaptation and adjustments necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of the students.
6. Engagement activities are not included because they are dependent on the students’ experiences and prior learning.
7. All assessments are at the instructor’s discretion. The designed activities are appropriate for formative assessments. Summative assessments are not included with these lessons.

With that all said, let’s get to the resources!

Jump to Unit: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5

Unit 1
Lesson 1 – What is Intelligence?

Lesson 2 – The Intelligence Community

Lesson 3 – Threats to National Security

Lesson 4 – Role of the President

Lesson 5 – Role of Congress

Unit 2
Lesson 1 – Overview of DHS Science & Technology Directorate

Lesson 2 – S&T Laboratories and Research

Lesson 3 – Programs for Defense Against Catastrophic Threats

Lesson 4 – Programs to Counter Terrorism

Lesson 5 – Essential S&T Research & Development Partners

Unit 3
Lesson 1 – History of Risk Communications

Lesson 2 – Emergency Communication Systems

Unit 4
Lesson 1 – The History of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Lesson 2 – Chemical Weapons

Lesson 3 – Biological Weapons

Lesson 4 – Radiological Nuclear Weapons

Lesson 5 – Explosives

Lesson 6 – Case Studies

Unit 5
Lesson 1 – Border Security & Immigration

Lesson 2 – Roads & Highways

Lesson 3 – Mass Transit & Light Rail

Lesson 4 – Heavy Rail Freight & Long Distance Passenger

Lesson 5 – Maritime Security

Lesson 6 – Air Passenger & Cargo

(Banner photo via Keith Gardner [DVIDS])