We SHOULD teach EARTH SCIENCE in K-12 curriculums

Summary

This Earth Science Classroom video advocates for the promotion of Earth Science education in high schools. The speaker, a high school Earth Science teacher, discusses the importance of teaching Earth Science alongside traditional sciences like chemistry, physics, and biology. The script outlines a two-year curriculum that covers topics from geomorphology to extreme weather, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of Earth Science and its relevance to understanding our planet's functioning and environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Earth science should be promoted and taught in every school to educate high school students about the planet's workings.
• 🔬 The perception of earth science is often as a middle school subject, but it has a broader scope and depth that can be explored in high school.
• 📚 Earth science is as important as classic sciences like chemistry, physics, and biology, and should be consistently part of a student's education.
• 🏫 The speaker, a high school earth science teacher, has developed curriculums under NGSS standards to promote the beauty and diversity of earth science.
• 🌱 The curriculum includes topics like geomorphology, geology, atmospheric science, and astronomy, showing the interdisciplinary nature of earth science.
• 📈 Earth science education can be enriched by integrating principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
• 🌍 Year one of the high school curriculum covers a wide range of topics from the earth's interior to astronomical phenomena, highlighting the earth's diverse systems.
• 💧 Year two delves into hydrology, soils, geologic history, oceanography, and extreme weather, emphasizing the earth's water systems and climate.
• 🌊 Oceanography is crucial for understanding climate control, heat movement, and the impacts of human activity on the oceans.
• ⛈ The study of extreme weather helps students understand climate change and the importance of predicting and preparing for natural disasters.
• 🌐 Earth science is interconnected with other sciences and social sciences, providing a comprehensive understanding of our planet's physical, chemical, and biological aspects.

Q & A

Why should Earth Science be promoted and taught in every high school?

Earth Science should be promoted and taught in every high school because it plays a vital role in educating young students about the Earth's processes and functions, which is essential for understanding environmental issues and our impact on the planet.

What is the perception of Earth Science among other scientific disciplines?

The perception of Earth Science is often that it is a middle school subject, and students may believe they have completed their education in the field after middle school, without realizing the depth and breadth of Earth Science at the high school and college levels.

How does Earth Science integrate with other classic sciences like chemistry, physics, and biology?

Earth Science integrates with other classic sciences by applying principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to understand the Earth's physical, chemical, and biological processes. It shows how these sciences are interconnected and relevant to understanding our planet.

What are the main components of the Earth Science curriculum in the first year of high school as described in the script?

The first year of high school Earth Science curriculum includes geomorphology, geology (including petrology, the Earth's interior, plate tectonics, volcanology, and seismology), atmospheric dynamics, and astronomy.

How does the script suggest Earth Science education should be structured in high school?

The script suggests a two-year structure for Earth Science education in high school, with the first year focusing on foundational topics and the second year delving into more advanced subjects like hydrology, soils and geologic history, oceanography, and extreme weather.

What is the significance of including astronomy in the Earth Science curriculum?

Astronomy is significant in the Earth Science curriculum as it helps students understand our place in the solar system and the universe, the origins of the universe, and the dynamic processes occurring in space, which all contribute to a holistic understanding of Earth's context in the cosmos.

How does the Earth Science curriculum in high school relate to environmental science and current societal concerns?

The Earth Science curriculum relates to environmental science and societal concerns by addressing topics such as climate change, the water cycle, oceanography, and extreme weather events, which are directly linked to the health of our planet and the impact of human activities.

What are some of the specific topics covered in the second year of the Earth Science curriculum as mentioned in the script?

The second year of the Earth Science curriculum covers topics such as hydrology, soils and geologic history, oceanography, and extreme weather, which build upon the foundational knowledge gained in the first year.

How does the script address the importance of teaching Earth Science in relation to current events and societal conversations?

The script addresses the importance of teaching Earth Science by highlighting its relevance to current events and societal conversations about the environment, climate change, and natural disasters, emphasizing the need for an educated population that understands these critical issues.

What is the role of Earth Science in understanding and addressing climate change according to the script?

According to the script, Earth Science plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing climate change by providing the knowledge base to comprehend the Earth's systems, how they are changing, and the potential impacts of these changes on our planet.

How does the script suggest students should be exposed to Earth Science throughout their high school education?

The script suggests that students should have at least four years of science education, including Earth Science, throughout their high school education to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's processes and their interconnections with other scientific disciplines.