Earth and Space Science
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
Units of Credit:
One year
Prerequisites:
None
Course Overview:
Through the study of Earth and Space Science, students will experience and explore
processes within the Earth, its atmosphere and its environment in space. Students will focus on
astronomy, matter, energy, crustal dynamics, cycles, geochemical processes, and the expanded
time scales necessary to understand events in the earth system. In studying the evolution of the
earth system over geologic time, students develop a deeper understanding of the evidence of
earth’s past and unravel the interconnected story of earth’s dynamic crust, fluctuating climate,
and evolving life forms. The students’ studies develop the concept of how the earth systems
exist in a state of dynamic equilibrium. They will discover that while certain properties of the
earth system may fluctuate on short or long time scales, the earth system will generally stay
within a certain narrow range for millions of years. This long-term stability can be understood
through the working of planetary geochemical cycles and feedback processes that help to
maintain or modify those cycles. The content of Earth and Space Science is arranged around the
six MCPS science standards. These standards include science as inquiry, unifying concepts of
science, humans and science, physical science, life science, and earth and space science. All
MCPS students will engage in scientific inquiry at all grade levels and in all classes. This is
critical because students must engage in scientific inquiry regularly in order to understand
science. A variety of teaching/instructional strategies will be employed which will include
laboratory investigations, class discussions, field trips, demonstrations, multimedia, guest
speakers, and student presentations. Technology will be employed to collect, analyze, share, and
present data. Students will be assessed through a variety of means including standard paper and
pencil tests, performance assessments, laboratory projects, and student writings and
presentations.
Required Topics:
Lab Procedures and Safety
Current Research and Application
Astronomy
Rocks and Minerals
Map Reading
Plate Tectonics
Water
Field Activities
Geologic Time
Weathering and Erosion
Natural Resources
Content Competencies for Each Standard
Standard #1: Science as Inquiry
Students will combine processes and scientific knowledge by using scientific reasoning
and critical thinking to develop their understanding of science.
Competencies:
1. Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.-1.4,1.5,.
2. Design and conduct scientific investigations, utilizing appropriate technology
to acquire and analyze data.-Inquiry activity Ch’s 1,4,12,Exploration
Lab Ch.5,,6,9,10,14,17,18,19,21,22,23,24,25,Application Lab ch.13
3. Use appropriate equipment and technology accurately to measure (in SI or
appropriate units), process, and analyze data.Exploration Lab:ch’s
1,2,3,5,6,8,9,10,11,14,17,18,19,21,22,23,24,25,,Application Lab:ch’s
4,13,.
4. Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models based on scientific
knowledge and evidence from investigations.-1.4,1.5,Inquiry activities
ch’s2,3,4,9,12,17,20,Exploration Lab Ch’s 5,12,17,22,23,.
5. Devise and analyze alternative explanations and models and use appropriate
methods to defend a scientific argument.-1.4,Inquiry activity ch’s
17,20,Exploration Lab ch’s 17,22,23.
Standard #2: Unifying Concepts of Science
Students will demonstrate an understanding that systems, models, changes, evolution,
form and function, and design innovation are the unifying concepts of science.
Competencies:
1.
Identify predictable events as a basis for explaining phenomena within a
system through the use of models.-Inquiry Activities p.307,p.475,p.557,
Quick Labp.323,Exploration Labs p.414,p.636,p.666,Application Labs
p.386,Earthquake and Volcano mapping lab, Pangaea cutout model
lab.
2.
Use evidence to analyze interactions within systems in order to predict
changes in natural cycles.1.4,2.2,3.1,3.3,3.4,4.1,4.3,5.1,5.2,6.1,7.1,7.2,7.3,8.4,10.1,10.2,10.3,12.2,12
.3,14.2,14.3,14.4,15.1,16.1,17.2,18.1
3.
Distinguish between properties that are constant and those that interact
within systems to result in change.2.1,2.2,2.3,3.2,4.1,7.1,12.3,15.1,15.2,15.3,18.1,18.3,
4.
Quantify system changes in observable and measurable units.4.1,15.1,15.2,15.3,Exploration labs ch’s
1,2,3,5,6,8,9,11,14,17,18,21,application labs ch’s4,13,.
5.
Account for the present form and function of objects through evolution.13.2,13.3,13.4,12.1,12.2,12.3,12.4.
6.
Describe how interacting units of matter tend toward equilibrium.2.1,2.2,2.3,3.2,7.1,12.3,17.2,17.3,18.1,18.2,18.3,20.2,24.3,25.1,.
7.
Illustrate how form and function are complementary aspects of objects,
organisms, and systems in the natural and designed world.13.2,13.3,13.4,4.1,15.1,15.2,15.3,.
Standard #3: Humans and Science
Students will demonstrate knowledge of human health and the history and development
of science, as well as make informed decisions concerning human impact upon
environments.
Competencies:
1.
Determine how individual life decisions impact other people, the
environment, and future generations.8.3,9.1,9.4,9.5,12.1,12.1,12.4,13.2,14.1,14.2,19.3,22.1,24.1,24.2,25.1,Exp
loration Lab:Ch’s 21 and 25,.
2.
Explain why the Earth does not have unlimited resources, and describe the
responsible use of those resources.1.4,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,5.2,6.3,14.2,14.4,Inquiry activity Ch.6,.
3.
Identify major milestones in science that have changed human
understanding and explain how new evidence affects scientific
knowledge.1.2,1.4,2.1,9.1,9.2,10.1,12.1,14.1,17.1,22.1,23.1,24.1,25.2,25.3
4.
Relate population dynamics to the limited carrying capacity of the earth
and illustrate how technological changes affect that carrying capacity.1.4,4.1,4.2,4.4,5.1,5.2,5.3,6.1,6.2,6.3,7.2,7.3,8.1,8.2,8.3,10.1,20.1,20.3,21.
3,.
5.
Document the existence of the natural and human-induced hazards and
explain how they can be influenced by human
activities.1.4,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,5.1,5.2,5.3,6.1,6.2,6.3,7.2,7.3,8.1,8.2,8.3,10.1,
20.1,20.3,21.3,.
6.
Identify career opportunities that are available in science and sciencerelated fields and explain why science is an integral part of society and
human endeavors.-p.T38 and T39, Career Links at PHSchool.com
Standard #4: Physical Science
Students will demonstrate knowledge of properties, forms, patterns, changes, and
interactions of physical and chemical systems.
Competencies:
1.
Describe and diagram the atomic structure of matter, including subatomic
particles, isotopes, and electron configuration.2.1,2.2,2.3,3.2,4.2,5.1,7.1,12.3,18.1,18.3,24.3,25.2,.
2.
Examine nuclear energy, including fission and fusion.-1.2 p.10,4.2p.103104,24.3p.689-690,.
3.
Illustrate how energy can come in many forms and can transfer from one
form to another.-4.1,4.2
4.
Relate how chemical and physical properties of matter are functions of
atomic structure.-2.1,2.2,2.3,3.2,7.1,12.3,18.1,18.3,.
5.
Describe interactions between matter and energy.8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4,16.2,16.3,17.2,24.1,24.2,24.3,25.2,.
6.
Understand laws of motion as they apply to celestial bodies.-
16.2,19.1,19.2,22.1,22.3,23.1,25.2,Exploration Lab Ch.16,.
Standard #5: Life Science
Students will demonstrate knowledge of characteristics, structures, and functions of life
systems; the process, continuity, and diversity of life; and the interactions of organisms
with each other and their environment.
Competencies:
1.
Explain how living organisms affect Earth processes such as the formation
of rocks, fossil fuels, and the atmosphere.-Ch. 3
Rocks,1.3,12.2,17.1,17.2,4.1,15.1,15.2,15.3,.
Standard #6: Earth and Space Science
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the composition, structures, processes, and
interactions of the earth-space systems.
Competencies:
1.
Describe internal and external energy sources of the Earth, such as
convection in the mantle, within the atmosphere, and in the oceans.1.1,1.2,1.4,3.1,4.2,4.3,5.1,6.1,6.3,9.2,9.3,9.5,10.3,13.2,15.1,16.1,16.2,16.3,
17.1,17.2,17.3,18.2,18.3,19.1,19.2,19.3,20.1,21.1,21.2,21.3,23.2,24.3,
Exploration lab Ch 12,.
2.
Describe the origin and evolution of the solar system and the Earth.1.1,1.2,1.4,2.1,3.3,4.1,7.1,8.1,8.2,8.3,9.1,9.2,9.3,9.4,10.1,11.1,11.2,11.3,12
.1,12.2,12.3,12.4,13.1,13.2,13.3,13.4,16.3,17.1,21.3,22.1,22.2,22.3,23.1,24
.3,Application Lab Ch13,.
3.
Estimate geologic time using rock and fossil evidence.2.1,2.3,3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,12.1,12.2,12.3,12.4,13.1,13.2,13.3,13.4,Inquiry
Activity p.363 and p.335,Application Lab p.386,Exploaration Lab
p.356,.
4.
Explain the theories of the origin and evolution of the universe and
celestial bodies, including energy and element production in stars.24.3,25.1,25.2,25.3,Exploration Lab p.666,.
5.
Analyze and predict how differences in heat transfer cause weather system
development and how these systems are modified by Earth’s topography.17.1,17.2,17.3,18.1,18.2,18.3,20.1,20.2,20.3,21.1,21.2,21.3,Exploration
Lab p.496 and p.524,Quick Lab p.590,
6.
Explain and make predictions relating to ongoing Earth processes such as
earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, erosion, and weathering.-Book
Unit 3, Forces Within, Ch’s 8,9,10,11,Ch.5 Weathering,Soil, and Mass
Movements,Inquiry Activity p.279
7.
Identify geochemical cycles of Earth’s elements and how matter moves
between chemical reservoirs.1.4,2.2,3.1,3.3,3.4,4.1,4.3,5.1,5.2,6.1,7.1,7.2,7.3,8.4,10.1,10.2,10.3,12.2,12
.3,14.2,14.3,14.4,15.1,16.1,17.2,18.1,.
8.
Identify and classify rocks based on their origins.3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,Exploration Lab p.86, Inquiry activity p.65,.
9.
Identify minerals based on their physical and chemical properties.2.1,2.2,2.3,Exploration Lab p.58,Inquiry Activity p.33,.
Assessment
Students will be assessed through a variety of means, such as standard paper and pencil
tests, performance assessments, laboratory projects, and student writings and presentations.
Meeting Students’ Diverse Needs
Students with diverse needs--those with unique abilities and/or disabilities--will have
differentiated opportunities to achieve competencies and standards, and at rates and in manners
consistent with their needs. For methodology, please see Appendix.