Living With the Planet

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science (TEKS) 112.36-- Earth and Space Science

1.C use the school's technology and information systems in a wise and ethical manner.
2.E demonstrate the use of course equipment, techniques, and procedures, including computers and web-based computer applications;
2.F use a wide variety of additional course apparatuses, equipment, techniques, and procedures as appropriate such as satellite imagery and other remote sensing data, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), scientific probes, microscopes, telescopes, modern video and image libraries, weather stations, fossil and rock kits, bar magnets, coiled springs, wave simulators, tectonic plate models, and planetary globes;
2.G organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from data;
2.H use mathematical procedures such as algebra, statistics, scientific notation, and significant figures to analyze data using the International System (SI) units
2.I communicate valid conclusions supported by data using several formats such as technical reports, lab reports, labeled drawings, graphic organizers, journals, presentations, and technical posters.
3 The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions within and outside the classroom. The student is expected to
3.A in all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations, so as to encourage critical thinking by the student;
3.B communicate and apply scientific information extracted from various sources such as current events, news reports, published journal articles, and marketing materials
3.C draw inferences based on data related to promotional materials for products and services
3.D evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and public policy
3.E explore careers and collaboration among scientists in Earth and space sciences
3.F learn and understand the contributions of scientists to the historical development of Earth and space sciences
6.A analyze the changes of Earth's atmosphere that could have occurred through time from the original hydrogen-helium atmosphere, the carbon dioxide-water vapor-methane atmosphere, and the current nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere
11.D interpret Earth surface features using a variety of methods such as satellite imagery, aerial photography, and topographic and geologic maps using appropriate technologies
11.E evaluate the impact of changes in Earth's subsystems on humans such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, flooding, and storm surges and the impact of humans on Earth's subsystems such as population growth, fossil fuel burning, and use of fresh water
12.B describe the formation of fossil fuels, including petroleum and coal
12.C discriminate between renewable and nonrenewable resources based upon rate of formation and use
12.D analyze the economics of resources from discovery to disposal, including technological advances, resource type, concentration and location, waste disposal and recycling, and environmental costs
13.C analyze the empirical relationship between the emissions of carbon dioxide, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and the average global temperature trends over the past 150 years
13.D discuss mechanisms and causes such as selective absorbers, major volcanic eruptions, solar luminance, giant meteorite impacts, and human activities that result in significant changes in Earth's climate
15 The student knows that interactions among Earth's five subsystems influence climate and resource availability, which affect Earth's habitability.
15.B investigate evidence such as ice cores, glacial striations, and fossils for climate variability and its use in developing computer models to explain present and predict future climates
15.C quantify the dynamics of surface and groundwater movement such as recharge, discharge, evapotranspiration, storage, residence time, and sustainability
15.D explain the global carbon cycle, including how carbon exists in different forms within the five subsystems and how these forms affect life
15.E analyze recent global ocean temperature data to predict the consequences of changing ocean temperature on evaporation, sea level, algal growth, coral bleaching, hurricane intensity, and biodiversity

Earth Science Literacy Principles

1. Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet.
1.1 Earth scientists find solutions to society’s needs.
1.2 Earth scientists use a large variety of scientific principles to understand how our planet works.
1.3 Earth science investigations take many different forms.
1.5 Earth scientists use their understanding of the past to forecast Earth’s future.
1.6 Earth scientists construct models of Earth and its processes that best explain the available geological evidence.
1.7 Technological advances, breakthroughs in interpretation, and new observations continuously refine our understanding of Earth.
2.7 Over Earth’s vast history, both gradual and catastrophic processes have produced enormous changes.
3. Earth is a complex system of interacting rock, water, air, and life.
3.1 The four major systems of Earth are the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
3.2 All Earth processes are the result of energy flowing and mass cycling within and between Earth’s systems.
3.4 Earth’s systems interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
3.6 Earth’s systems are dynamic; they continually react to changing influences.
3.7 Changes in part of one system can cause new changes to that system or to other systems, often in surprising and complex ways.
3.8 Earth’s climate is an example of how complex interactions among systems can result in relatively sudden and significant changes.
4.1 Earth’s geosphere changes through geological, hydrological, physical, chemical, and biological processes that are explained by universal laws.
5. Earth is the water planet.
5.4 Water plays an important role in many of Earth’s deep internal processes.
6. Life evolves on a dynamic Earth and continuously modifies Earth.
6.8 Life changes the physical and chemical properties of Earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
7. Humans depend on Earth for resources.
7.1 Earth is our home; its resources mold civilizations, drive human exploration, and inspire human endeavors that include art, literature, and science.
7.2 Geology affects the distribution and development of human populations.
7.3 Natural resources are limited.
7.4 Resources are distributed unevenly around the planet.
7.5 Water resources are essential for agriculture, manufacturing, energy production, and life.
7.6 Soil, rocks, and minerals provide essential metals and other materials for agriculture, manufacturing, and building.
7.8 Oil and natural gas are unique resources that are central to modern life in many different ways.
7.9 Fossil fuels and uranium currently provide most of our energy resources.
7.10 Earth scientists help society move toward greater sustainability.
9. Humans significantly alter the Earth.
9.1 Human activities significantly change the rates of many of Earth’s surface processes.
9.2 Earth scientists use the geologic record to distinguish between natural and human influences on Earth’s systems.
9.3 Humans cause global climate change through fossil fuel combustion, land-use changes, agricultural practices, and industrial processes.
9.4 Humans affect the quality, availability, and distribution of Earth’s water through the modification of streams, lakes, and groundwater.
9.6 Human activities accelerate land erosion.
9.7 Human activities significantly alter the biosphere.
9.8 Earth scientists document and seek to understand the impacts of humans on global change over short and long time spans.
9.9 An Earth-science-literate public, informed by current and accurate scientific understanding of Earth, is critical to the promotion of good stewardship, sound policy, and international cooperation.