Carbon, Climate and Energy Resources

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

1 The student conducts laboratory and field investigations, for at least 40% of instructional time, using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices.
1.A demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations;
1.B demonstrate an understanding of the use and conservation of resources and the proper disposal or recycling of materials; and
1.C use the school's technology and information systems in a wise and ethical manner.
2 The student uses scientific methods during laboratory and field investigations. The student is expected to:
2.A know the definition of science and understand that it has limitations, as specified in subsection (b)(2) of this section;
2.C know that scientific theories are based on natural and physical phenomena and are capable of being tested by multiple independent researchers. Unlike hypotheses, scientific theories are well-established and highly-reliable explanations, but may be subject to change as new areas of science and new technologies are developed;
2.D distinguish between scientific hypotheses and scientific theories;
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 The student knows the evidence for how Earth's atmospheres, hydrosphere, and geosphere formed and changed through time. The student is expected to
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
6.C investigate how the formation of atmospheric oxygen and the ozone layer impacted the formation of the geosphere and biosphere
9 The student knows Earth's interior is differentiated chemically, physically, and thermally. The student is expected to
9.A evaluate heat transfer through Earth's subsystems by radiation, convection, and conduction and include its role in plate tectonics, volcanism, ocean circulation, weather, and climate
12 The student knows that Earth contains energy, water, mineral, and rock resources and that use of these resources impacts Earth's subsystems.
12.A evaluate how the use of energy, water, mineral, and rock resources affects Earth's subsystems
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
12.E explore careers that involve the exploration, extraction, production, use, and disposal of Earth's resources
13 The student knows that the fluid Earth is composed of the hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere subsystems that interact on various time scales with the biosphere and geosphere.
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
13.F discuss scientific hypotheses for the origin of life by abiotic chemical processes in an aqueous environment through complex geochemical cycles given the complexity of living systems.
14 The student knows that Earth's global ocean stores solar energy and is a major driving force for weather and climate through complex atmospheric interactions.
14.A analyze the uneven distribution of solar energy on Earth's surface, including differences in atmospheric transparency, surface albedo, Earth's tilt, duration of insolation, and differences in atmospheric and surface absorption of energy
14.B investigate how the atmosphere is heated from Earth's surface due to absorption of solar energy, which is re-radiated as thermal energy and trapped by selective absorbers
14.C explain how thermal energy transfer between the ocean and atmosphere drives surface currents, thermohaline currents, and evaporation that influence climate
15 The student knows that interactions among Earth's five subsystems influence climate and resource availability, which affect Earth's habitability.
15.D explain the global carbon cycle, including how carbon exists in different forms within the five subsystems and how these forms affect life

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.
1.4 Earth scientists must use indirect methods to examine and understand the structure, composition, and dynamics of Earth’s interior.
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.
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.
3.5 Regions where organisms actively interact with each other and their environment are called ecosystems.
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.
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.
9.3 Humans cause global climate change through fossil fuel combustion, land-use changes, agricultural practices, and industrial processes.
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.