ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science
Dianne B. Barber and William D. Barber
Appalachian State University
Overview: This training will assist instructors in making Environmental, Earth and Space Science real so their
learners will have the content knowledge to be successful in high school courses, on equivalency exams, and
transitioning to college and careers.
Learning Outcomes: You will …
• Understand and use Scientific Practices in classroom teaching
• Understand concepts necessary to successfully complete Environment, Earth and Space Science courses
• Identify content requirements based on standards
• Understand how to deliver effective instruction
• Use technology to enhance instruction and learning
• Analyze pictorial and graphic information
• Plan instruction using standards
• Locate supplemental resources
NC Adult Secondary Education Science Courses
ASE SC 1: Living Organisms and Ecosystems (2014-2015)
ASE SC 2: Genetics, Molecular Biology and Evolution (2014-2015)
ASE SC 3: Physical Science
March 10 – Greenville, Pitt Community College
April 3 – Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College
April 16 – New Bern, Craven Community College
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science
September 25 – Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College
December 7 – Asheville, Asheville-Buncombe Technical College
January 9 – Winston-Salem, Forsyth Tech Community College
Adult Secondary Education Specialty Credential – handout
NC Adult Education Standards for Environmental, Earth and Space Science
Standards with Teaching Notes - handout
Student Checklist - handout
Science Practices - handout
Adult Secondary Education Instruction
GED 2014 Science: Life Science 40%, Physical Science (40%), Earth and Space Science (20%)
Note: This training covers the GED 2014 Earth and Space Science content and the Adult High School Environmental
and Earth Science content.
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
Page 1
GED 2014 Science Item Types
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Multiple Choice
Fill-in-the-blank items
Drag-and-Drop
Hot spots
2 Short answer responses
1.25 hours
GED 2014 Focusing Themes
Science Content Topic
Focusing
Themes
Human Health and
Living Systems
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Interactions between Earth’s systems and living things
Energy and Related
Systems
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Earth and its system components and interactions
Structures and organization of the cosmos
Webb’s Depth of Knowledge - handout
Outdated Trends:
 Open-entry/exit,
 Teaching to the test
 Lab instruction and tutoring only
 Academic emphasis
New Trends:
 Managed enrollment
 Teaching for real life
 Large and small group instruction
 Contextualized instruction
Instruction
• Direct and explicit Instruction
• Teach vocabulary - pronunciation and meaning
• Contextualize - connect your instruction to real life, careers, and college
• Teach about college pathways requiring knowledge of science
– What is offered in your community college or nearby community college?
• Teach about careers requiring science
– What jobs are in the local area?
Teaching Science
• Be explicit about how activities and content relate to the nature and process of science
• Model scientific behaviors, strategies, language
• Integrate questions such as: How do I use science? How do others use Science? How do we know this?
• Use photos, videos, graphics to teach concepts
• Provide time for hands-on science activities and discussion
Explicit Instruction
1. Provide rational and clear explanation
2. Model the learning process
3. Guided Practice
4. Application
5. Feedback
Sample AHS and GED Test Questions - handout
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
Page 2
The Earth Sciences
 Geology
 Oceanography
 Meteorology
 Hydrology
 Astronomy
Standard 1: Earth in the Universe
In the beginning…
• Evidence for Big Bang Theory includes
– Cosmic microwave background
– Composition of ordinary matter of Universe
• Age of the Universe
• Universe is expanding
• How old is Earth?
Earth’s Motion through Space
1. Precession
– Like a spinning top with 26,000 year cycle
– Has very minor effect on seasons
2. Nutation
– Variation (wobble) in precession circle
– Earth’s nutation period is 18.6 years
(amplitude of 9.2 seconds of arc)
3. Barycenter
– Earth-Moon System has a barycenter that orbits Sun
– Approximately 1062 miles below Earth surface (on moon side)
Earth’s Path around Milky Way Galaxy
• Earth-Moon System orbits Sun (ellipitical orbit)
• Solar system orbits “nucleus” of Milky Way Galaxy
– Milky Way is flattened spiral disk with 2 or 3 arms
• 100,000 light-years wide
• 10,000 light-years thick at nucleus
• Nucleus is beyond constellation Sagittarius
• Universe is expanding so galaxies moving apart
Earth’s Moon
 Theia – Earth collision
– Theia was a planet about size of Mars
– Dust kicked into space formed Moon
– Earth crust reformed in 150 million years
– Orbiting stabilized Earth’s axis of rotation
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
Page 3
Orbits
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Governed by Newtonian gravitational laws
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Changed since Solar System first formed
Earth’s Shape, Seasons & Tides
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Earth is an oblate spheroid
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Seasons result from tilt of Earth axis
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Poles are squashed so equator bulges 26.5 miles
23.4 degrees
Tides
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Occur in all bodies of water
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2 high and 2 low tides every 25 hours
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From gravitation pull of Moon and Sun
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Spring Tide vs. Neap Tide
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Diurnal, Semi-diurnal, or Mixed
Sun Energy & Radiation
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Sun is a star
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Produces energy by atomic fusion
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Hydrogen to Helium
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Makes life on Earth possible
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Has energy variations
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Radiation varies due to solar flares
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
Page 4
Planet Size (diameter in km) - Distance between Earth and Moon – 384,400 km
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sun 1,392,000
Jupiter 139,822
Saturn (with rings) 116,464
Uranus 50,724
5.
6.
7.
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Neptune 49,244
Earth 12,742
Venus (without gas) 12,104
Mars 6,780
9.
10.
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12.
Ganymede (Jupiter III) 5,262
Mercury 4,879
Moon 3,474
Pluto 1,151
Standard 2: Earth’s Systems, Structures & Processes
Lithosphere is affected by
• Rock cycle
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Plate tectonics
– Explains earthquakes and continental history
– ≈ 20 plates covering Earth move in relation to each other
– Boundaries between plates classed as
• Divergent: plates are moving apart
• Convergent: one plate slides under another
• Transform: edges of plates grind against each other
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
Page 5
Pangaea
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Breakup began about 200 mya
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Separated into two continents
Earth’s surface is affected by
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Weathering
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Breakup of rock by mechanical & chemical forces
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Erosion – Water, Wind, Beach
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Soil formation
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What is soil?
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“Interface” suitable for plant growth
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Approximately 50% water & air
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Organic matter mixed with weathered rock
Productive agricultural soil
Earthquakes and Seismology
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S waves vs. P waves
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Difference in time of arrival locates “epicenter”
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P waves are “push-pull”
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S waves “shake” particles at right angles
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Only travel thru solid material
Richter Scale is logarithmic
Earthquake damage
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Concrete is rigid; wood and steel flexible
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Major damage if soil is wet
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Liquification causes above ground structures to sink, buried objects to float to surface
Tsunami (Japanese for “harbor waves”)
Determining age of the Earth
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Plate tectonics has crushed most of earth’s original crustal rocks
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Still finding rocks “a bit” older
Age determined by radiometric dating
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So radioisotopes are our “clock in a rock”
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
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Consequences of human activities on lithosphere
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Deforestation
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Agriculture
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Mining
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Urbanization
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Overgrazing
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Land Use Issues
Methods of energy acquisition
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Oil
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Coal
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Natural Gas
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Wood
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Nuclear
The Hydrosphere
The Water Cycle
Humans’ water use
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Energy source - currents, heat transfer
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Fresh water availability
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Water quality in North Carolina
Drinking water supply
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Aquifers
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Desalinization
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Contaminants
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Testing water for coliform bacteria and disease organisms
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
Page 7
The Atmosphere
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Structure and composition
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Formation of typical air masses and weather systems
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Cyclonic storm formation
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Human activities affecting air quality
Global climate
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Climate cycles
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Milankovitch cycles
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Humans generate change
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Effects on Earth’s systems
What is Climate?
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Long-term seasonal weather patterns
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Temperature
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Precipitation
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Climate vs. weather
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Climate may be affected by:
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Latitude
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Topography (mountain ranges, etc.)
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Prevailing winds
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Ocean currents and proximity
Humans affect climate change
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Burning hydrocarbons
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Deforestation
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Greenhouse effect
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
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Impact of climate change
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Global warming
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Ocean pH
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Sea level
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Ozone layer
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Permafrost melting
The Biosphere
NC biomes
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Temperate Deciduous Forest
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Aquatic biomes/ecosystems
Forest issues
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Flood prevention
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Forest fires
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Species diversity
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Human needs
NC Aquatic Biomes
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Freshwater
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Estuaries - “nursery” for many important species for both economy and recreation
Wetlands
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Salt marsh
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Water pollution
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Rising ocean levels
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Species diversity
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
Page 9
Living sustainably on Earth
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Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources
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Alternative energy technologies for NC
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Sustainable agriculture and aquaculture
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Effects of uncontrolled population growth
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Effects of “reduce, reuse, recycle”
Agricultural issues
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Importance of cheap food
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Loss of productive soil
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Fertilizer runoff
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Pesticide concerns
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Monoculture
Quality of life
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National parks
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Recreation and exercise
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Roads an d transportation
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Air quality
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Esthetics
Resources
• Content Standards with Teaching Notes – Handout
• GED Item Samplers: www.GEDtestingservice.com
• GED Teacher Resource Center: www.newreaderspress.com/ged
• NC Essential Standards Support Tools: www.dpi.state.nc.us/acre/standards/support-tools
• Timed Readings: http://www.marshalladulteducation.org/index.php/reading-skills-for-todays-adult
• ABSPD Website: www.abspd.appstate.edu
• Dianne Barber, Director, ABSPD, barberdb@appstate.edu
• William Barber, barberwd@appstate.edu
ASE SC 4: Environmental, Earth and Space Science, Revised 12/1/13
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