Earth System Science Course Design Matrix for Preservice Teachers
While Earth system science is a very broad topic, the topics which an elementary or middle school teacher need to master are stipulated by the National Science Education Standards, as well as the science standards developed by each state. The course design matrix below identifies the Earth science topics included in the National Science Education Standards.
Course outline examples:
- Elementary, (Microsoft Word 58kB Jun11 04)
- ESSEA K-4 Teachers
- Middle school, (Microsoft Word 106kB Jun10 04)
- ESSEA Middle School Teachers
- High school and college instructors (Microsoft Word 47kB Jun10 04)
- ESSEA Online Courses - for High School Teachers
How to Use this Table
The following table shows a matrix for designing an Earth System Course for pre-service teachers. Matrices are a good way to think about designing an Earth System course in that it illuminates the relationships between typical topics in Earth science and the parts of the Earth system. This matrix is particularly helpful in looking at interactions between two subsystems. For more information on using course matrices, see Course Design Matrix
Primary causal mechanism |
Acting on lithosphere | Acting on atmosphere | Acting on hydrosphere | Acting on biosphere | Acting on anthroposphere | Acting on exoshpere |
| Rock cycle, stratigraphy, plate tectonics | Geological hazards | |||||
| Soils and wind erosion | Salty ocean, ocean currents | Carbon cycle | Oxygen prerequisite for aerobic life | |||
| Water erosion, landforms | Water cycle | Water as prerequisite for life | ||||
| Soils | Photosynthesis | Ecology | ||||
| Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources | Space travel | |||||
| Earth energy balance | Seasons, atmospheric circulation | Comparing suitability of other planets for life | Origins of the solar system |
