Earth From Space: Big Blue Marble

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

1.A demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations;
b.3 Scientific inquiry Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world. Scientific methods of investigation can be experimental, descriptive, or comparative. The method chosen should be appropriate to the question being asked.
6.A Systems A system is a collection of interacting physical, chemical, and biological processes that involves the flow of matter and energy on different temporal and spatial scales. Earth's system is composed of interdependent and interacting subsystems of the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere within a larger planetary and stellar system. Change and constancy occur in Earth's system and can be observed, measured as patterns and cycles, and described or presented in models used to predict how Earth's system changes over time.
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.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.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;
11.A compare the roles of erosion and deposition through the actions of water, wind, ice, gravity, and igneous activity by lava in constantly reshaping Earth's surface
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.A evaluate how the use of energy, water, mineral, and rock resources affects Earth's subsystems
13.A quantify the components and fluxes within the hydrosphere such as changes in polar ice caps and glaciers, salt water incursions, and groundwater levels in response to precipitation events or excessive pumping
13.B analyze how global ocean circulation is the result of wind, tides, the Coriolis effect, water density differences, and the shape of the ocean basins
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.C explain how thermal energy transfer between the ocean and atmosphere drives surface currents, thermohaline currents, and evaporation that influence climate
15.A describe how changing surface-ocean conditions, including El Niño-Southern Oscillation, affect global weather and climate patterns
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.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.
1.3 Earth science investigations take many different forms.
1.5 Earth scientists use their understanding of the past to forecast Earth’s future.
1.7 Technological advances, breakthroughs in interpretation, and new observations continuously refine our understanding of Earth.
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.
3.3 Earth exchanges mass and energy with the rest of the Solar System.
3.4 Earth’s systems interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
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.
4.1 Earth’s geosphere changes through geological, hydrological, physical, chemical, and biological processes that are explained by universal laws.
4.7 Landscapes result from the dynamic interplay between processes that form and uplift new crust and processes that destroy and depress the crust.
5.3 Water’s unique combination of physical and chemical properties are essential to the dynamics of all of Earth’s systems.
5.4 Water plays an important role in many of Earth’s deep internal processes.
5.5 Earth’s water cycles among the reservoirs of the atmosphere, streams, lakes, ocean, glaciers, groundwater, and deep interior of the planet.
5.6 Water shapes landscapes.
6.8 Life changes the physical and chemical properties of Earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
8.1 Natural hazards result from natural Earth processes.
8.2 Natural hazards shape the history of human societies.
8.3 Human activities can contribute to the frequency and intensity of some natural hazards.
8.4 Hazardous events can be sudden or gradual.
8.5 Natural hazards can be local or global in origin.
8.6 Earth scientists are continually improving estimates of when and where natural hazards occur.
8.7 Humans cannot eliminate natural hazards, but can engage in activities that reduce their impacts.
8.8 An Earth-science-literate public is essential for reducing risks from natural hazards.
9.2 Earth scientists use the geologic record to distinguish between natural and human influences on Earth’s systems.
9.5 Human activities alter the natural land surface.
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.