Earth & Environmental

Unit 1: Astronomy

Standards and Objectives:

ESS.ESS.1 Explain how the Earth’s position relative to the sun influences conditions on Earth.

• ESS.ESS. 1.1 Use models to illustrate the formation of the solar system.

• ESS.ESS. 1.2 Use mathematics and computational thinking to analyze Earth’s motion through space

• ESS.ESS. 1.3 Use models to illustrate how the sun produces energy.

• ESS.ESS. 1.4 Construct an explanation to infer how incoming solar radiation interacts with Earth systems to support life.

Unit 2: Geosphere

Standards and Objectives:

ESS.ESS.2 Analyze how the geosphere is shaped by plate tectonics and the rock cycle.

• ESS.ESS. 2.1 Use models to explain how mantle convection powers plate tectonics.

• ESS.ESS. 2.2 Analyze and interpret data to predict locations of volcanoes and earthquakes based on plate boundaries.

• ESS.ESS. 2.3 Use models to explain how plate tectonics influence topography.

• ESS.ESS. 2.4 Carry out investigations to explain how the rock cycle and rates of weathering, erosion, and soil formation influence Earth’s system.

• ESS.ESS. 2.5 Analyze and interpret data to explain how volcanic activity influences changes in Earth’s atmosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere. 

Unit 3: Hydrosphere

Standards and Objectives:

ESS.ESS.3 Analyze how the interactions between the hydrosphere and atmosphere transfer energy and influence climate.

• ESS.ESS 3.1 Carry out investigations to explain the properties of water.

• ESS.ESS 3.2 Use models to explain how water is an agent of energy transfer.

• ESS.ESS 3.3 Analyze and interpret data to explain how major greenhouse gases influence climate.

• ESS.ESS 3.4 Analyze and interpret data to attribute how atmospheric composition and surface conditions influence heat retention in the troposphere.

• ESS.ESS. 3.5 Construct an explanation to conclude that heat exchange between the ocean and atmosphere results in local, regional, global weather phenomena, and climate patterns.

Unit 4 & 5: Atmosphere & Biosphere

Standards and Objectives:

Analyze the connections between the biosphere and other earth systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere)

• ESS. ESS.4.1 Use models to explain how abiotic/biotic interactions shape various ecosystems.

• ESS.ESS.4.2 Analyze and interpret data to explain how carbon cycling influences various ecosystems.

• ESS.ESS 4.3 Analyze and interpret data to explain past climate trends.

• ESS.ESS. 4.4 Construct an explanation to predict how potential future changes in abiotic factors could impact biodiversity and species distribution. 

• ESS.ESS. 4.5 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain how biodiversity impacts ecosystem resilience. 

Unit 6: Human Resource Use

Standards and Objectives:

ESS.ESS.5 Evaluate how human consumption patterns impact Earth’s systems.

• ESS.ESS. 5.1 Analyze and interpret data to explain the impacts of land use on Earth’s systems. 

• ESS.ESS. 5.2 Analyze and interpret data to evaluate how human use of ground and surface waters impacts water quality and availability in river basins, wetlands, estuaries, and aquifers. 

• ESS.ESS. 5.3 Construct an argument to evaluate the ways that human activities influence atmospheric composition.

• ESS.ESS. 5.4 Construct an argument to evaluate the benefits and trade-offs of using non-renewable or renewable energy sources for electricity production and transportation fuels. 

• ESS.ESS. 5.5 Construct an argument to evaluate potential solutions that will ensure sustainable consumption of Earth’s resources.

• ESS.ESS. 5.6 Construct an argument to evaluate a range of solutions to mitigate impacts of human activities on Earth's systems.

Unit 7: Environmental Impact on Humans

Standards and Objectives:

ESS.ESS. 6 Analyze how Earth’s systems impact humans and the biosphere

• ESS.ESS. 6.1 Analyze and interpret data to infer how use of natural resources impacts ecosystems and human populations, including human health.

• ESS.ESS. 6.2 Construct an argument to infer how some natural hazards (such as flooding and wildfires) are increasing in frequency and intensity due to human activities.

• ESS.ESS. 6.3 Construct an argument to explain how natural hazards and other environmental problems may impact some human populations.