Life and Earth's Systems
The performance expectations in Topic 6: Life and Earth’s Systems help students answer these questions:
How does life influence Earth’s systems?
How do Earth’s systems influence life?
Students investigate the interrelationships between biotic and abiotic factors that contribute to changes in Earth’s dynamic systems. Students examine how Earth’s systems may appear stable, change slowly over long periods of time, or change abruptly, with significant consequences for living organisms. Students develop models and analyze data to explain and forecast changes to Earth’s various climates. Students examine how climate change can occur when certain parts of Earth’s systems are altered and predict how living organisms may affect and be affected. Students study the relationship of blue-green algae and oxygen concentration in the atmosphere; then, investigate how the rate of fresh water intrusion from melting polar ice affects the growth of the blue-green algae. While this topic does not address biological processes specifically, instruction should highlight the connection between climate and living systems.
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
ESS2-2: Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems
ESS2-4: Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate
ESS2-5: Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes
ESS3-5: Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidencebased forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems
ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering
EST1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and tradeoffs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts