Space-age technologies have revolutionized Earth science, but this revolution has yet to extend to Earth science education. This article points out that urban schools can be at the forefront of reform because cities offer a wealth of opportunities and resources for study. The authors present examples of urban investigations and educational tools, such as remotely-sensed imagery and interactive GIS maps showing cities and their physical and human infrastructure in impressive detail. By relying on publicly-available aerial and satellite perspectives of urban areas and tapping into ground and historical data and easily used visualization tools, students can understand their cities as dynamic, interconnected systems of human and environmental forces. Using the powerful views of astronaut and satellite imagery to study Los Angeles, for example, students can acquire skills of inquiry, analysis and problem solving as they learn how the city is shaped by its environment, climate and geography. Themes for urban Earth science studies include regional ecology, climate, water resources and transportation.
