Earth Sciences
Reduce Video
Earth Sciences Curriculum
E.4.c. Earth Sciences
The Greenhouse Effect on Natural Systems
This unit explores Earth's natural "greenhouse effect" and how this mechanism creates a climate that sustains life. Students study atmospheric gases that function as "greenhouse gases" to absorb thermal radiation and learn how changes in the composition of atmospheric gases influence climate. Students discover how different natural processes and human activities produce these gases as well as the ways they are moved, used, and absorbed in nature. Students investigate how human activities affect quantities of greenhouse gases. In the last lesson, students apply what they have learned to an examination of policymaking and how scientific
knowledge is just one of the factors that must be considered when making decisions about what can and should be done about global climate change.
E.5.d. Earth Sciences
Ocean Currents and Natural Systems
This unit guides students in examining the correlation between the physical, chemical, and biological world. They review a California example of how an ecosystem can survive (and thrive) as a result of the influence of a specific physical phenomenon. They apply the principles of physical and chemical oceanography to horizontal and vertical ocean currents. In later lessons, students examine how these properties influence the diversity and distribution of marine organisms and how humans can manipulate the ocean in ways that can change the structure of the marine ecosystems. Students synthesize information about the physical and chemical environment, the distribution of marine organisms, and the interactions between humans, ecosystems, and human economies.
E.5.e. Earth Sciences
Rainforests and Deserts: Distribution, Uses, and Human Influences
In this unit students investigate the role of atmospheric convection currents in determining the geography of deserts and rainforests. They explore the relationships between the properties of the physical world and Earth's ecosystems and examine their connections to human social systems. Students then investigate the types of resources that humans obtain from Earth's deserts and rainforests and how they are used by humans.
E.7.b. Earth Sciences
The Life and Times of Carbon
In this unit students examine Earth's various carbon reservoirs (for example, atmosphere, oceans, organisms/biomass, coal and oil deposits). They investigate how the movement of carbon among its various reservoirs is central to the flow of energy and matter, both within and between natural systems and human communities. Students learn to identify ways the global carbon cycle is essential to all natural systems and organisms and to the functioning of human communities, economies, and culture. Some of the lessons explore human practices that can influence the global carbon cycle (for example, the movement of carbon among its various reservoirs). Students analyze trade-offs among different energy choices and discover that decisions about energy are based on a wide range of considerations that reflect our growing scientific knowledge of the global carbon cycle.
E.8.c. Earth Sciences
Living Under One Roof
This unit develops students' understanding of Earth's ozone layer and the role it serves in absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Students learn that the atmosphere interacts with all of Earth's natural systems. They discover that the health of Earth's atmosphere can be affected by human activities and that changes to the atmosphere can influence human health. Students examine how science helps inform policymaking and learn how to apply a cost-benefit analysis to weigh trade-offs between consumer choices, scientific knowledge, and the health and environmental risks associated with increased UV radiation. Students learn that because atmospheric science is so complex, scientists can not always accurately predict the consequences of either natural or human-caused environmental changes.
E.9.c. Earth Sciences Liquid Gold: California's Water
This unit teaches students how water is distributed and managed as a natural resource. They examine the importance of water to society, and they look specifically at the challenges California faces in balancing available water supply with societal demands. Students study the sources and major uses of water in California, and the importance of a consistent and reliable water supply to society. They consider the imbalance between water supply and demand in California and examine the spectrum of considerations involved in decisions regarding California's water supplies. The final lesson considers the scope and potential environmental effects of water resource policies and the role of scientific knowledge in the development of the State's water policies.
E.4.c. Earth Sciences
The Greenhouse Effect on Natural Systems
This unit explores Earth's natural "greenhouse effect" and how this mechanism creates a climate that sustains life. Students study atmospheric gases that function as "greenhouse gases" to absorb thermal radiation and learn how changes in the composition of atmospheric gases influence climate. Students discover how different natural processes and human activities produce these gases as well as the ways they are moved, used, and absorbed in nature. Students investigate how human activities affect quantities of greenhouse gases. In the last lesson, students apply what they have learned to an examination of policymaking and how scientific
knowledge is just one of the factors that must be considered when making decisions about what can and should be done about global climate change.
E.5.d. Earth Sciences
Ocean Currents and Natural Systems
This unit guides students in examining the correlation between the physical, chemical, and biological world. They review a California example of how an ecosystem can survive (and thrive) as a result of the influence of a specific physical phenomenon. They apply the principles of physical and chemical oceanography to horizontal and vertical ocean currents. In later lessons, students examine how these properties influence the diversity and distribution of marine organisms and how humans can manipulate the ocean in ways that can change the structure of the marine ecosystems. Students synthesize information about the physical and chemical environment, the distribution of marine organisms, and the interactions between humans, ecosystems, and human economies.
E.5.e. Earth Sciences
Rainforests and Deserts: Distribution, Uses, and Human Influences
In this unit students investigate the role of atmospheric convection currents in determining the geography of deserts and rainforests. They explore the relationships between the properties of the physical world and Earth's ecosystems and examine their connections to human social systems. Students then investigate the types of resources that humans obtain from Earth's deserts and rainforests and how they are used by humans.
E.7.b. Earth Sciences
The Life and Times of Carbon
In this unit students examine Earth's various carbon reservoirs (for example, atmosphere, oceans, organisms/biomass, coal and oil deposits). They investigate how the movement of carbon among its various reservoirs is central to the flow of energy and matter, both within and between natural systems and human communities. Students learn to identify ways the global carbon cycle is essential to all natural systems and organisms and to the functioning of human communities, economies, and culture. Some of the lessons explore human practices that can influence the global carbon cycle (for example, the movement of carbon among its various reservoirs). Students analyze trade-offs among different energy choices and discover that decisions about energy are based on a wide range of considerations that reflect our growing scientific knowledge of the global carbon cycle.
E.8.c. Earth Sciences
Living Under One Roof
This unit develops students' understanding of Earth's ozone layer and the role it serves in absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Students learn that the atmosphere interacts with all of Earth's natural systems. They discover that the health of Earth's atmosphere can be affected by human activities and that changes to the atmosphere can influence human health. Students examine how science helps inform policymaking and learn how to apply a cost-benefit analysis to weigh trade-offs between consumer choices, scientific knowledge, and the health and environmental risks associated with increased UV radiation. Students learn that because atmospheric science is so complex, scientists can not always accurately predict the consequences of either natural or human-caused environmental changes.
E.9.c. Earth Sciences Liquid Gold: California's Water
This unit teaches students how water is distributed and managed as a natural resource. They examine the importance of water to society, and they look specifically at the challenges California faces in balancing available water supply with societal demands. Students study the sources and major uses of water in California, and the importance of a consistent and reliable water supply to society. They consider the imbalance between water supply and demand in California and examine the spectrum of considerations involved in decisions regarding California's water supplies. The final lesson considers the scope and potential environmental effects of water resource policies and the role of scientific knowledge in the development of the State's water policies.
