Earth System ScienceWorkshop

The Earth System Science curriculum module is part of a larger set of of Earth science modules in the EarthLabs collection. This is the student portal, which holds the full set of curriculum modules.

serc.carleton.edu/eslabs/index.html

There is a corresponding Web site for teachers, with background information, teaching tips, assessments, and more for each curriculum module.

serc.carleton.edu/earthlabs/index.html

EarthLabs modules have been designed be used individually or in any combination as part of a high school level Earth science or environmental science course.

EarthLabs is a project of TERC, an independent, non-profit research and development group in Cambridge, MA.

Founded in 1965, TERC’s mission is to improve K-12 math and science education through research, teacher professional development, and curriculum development.

www.terc.edu

Funding to develop the EarthLabs curriculum modules has come from:

• National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

• National Science Foundation (NSF)

Goals for Today’s Workshop

• Introduce you to the Earth System Science module• Build your understanding of Earth system concepts• Inspire you to use the module with your students

It is not a goal to work through every element of the curriculum module today.

Classroom implementation will require 12-15 classes.

Overview of the Earth System Science Module

Students learn what the Earth system is, what its components are, and ways in which the components interact• at the local scale• at the regional scale• at the global scale

Overview of the Earth System Science Module

• The module is composed of seven sections, called “Labs”

• Learning activities include:– Field observations – Readings– Hands-on labs– Interactive visualizations– Use of data analysis software

Overview of the Earth System Science ModuleKey questions addressed by the module include:• What is Earth system science?• How can we describe Earth as a system?• How are energy and matter exchanged among and

within the components of the Earth system?• How does the Earth system change over time?• How is life affected by changes in the Earth system?