• Examine how we can use rock strata and the fossil record to organize the relative order of  historical events in Earth’s history.

• Recognize that plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains movements of rocks at Earth’s surface and geological history. 

• Understand energy flows and matter cycles within and among Earth’s systems, including the sun and Earth’s interior as primary energy sources. Study the water cycle, and how changes the properties of water and movement of water impact Earth’s systems.

• Describe the complex interactions that determine local weather patterns and influence climate, including the role of the ocean.

• Describe how humans depend on the Earth for different resources, and analyze how human activities have impacted Earth’s biosphere and climate. Map the history of natural hazards in a region and understand related geological forces.

• Evaluate ways to reduce the impact of global warming.

When Studying Earth and Space Science You May Find Students:

• Developing models to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems and to describe the processes that determine regional climates.

• Constructing explanations based on evidence for how geoscience processes (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.) have changed Earth’s surface.

• Analyzing and interpreting data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

• Constructing an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems, and applying scientific principles to design a method for minimizing human impact on the environment

The sequence of chapters in this book may differ from a typical commercial publisher’s introductory Earth Science textbook. Selected concepts in the book have been reorganized to summarize elementary or foundation topics prior to discussion of more complex topics in Earth Science. A foundational knowledge of minerals and rocks is essential in an introductory Earth Science course. Oftentimes all three rock classifications are bundled into a single “rocks” chapter but because they vary extensively in the way they form and their overall features, this textbook gives the three major rock types their own dedicated chapter. A similar issue occurs with mass wasting which is usually included as a small section within an overall “water” chapter but in the geosciences, mass wasting is an important surficial process that moves material across the surface of Earth. Therefore, mass wasting is dedicated to a single chapter. Geologic time is commonly paired with Earth history but both topics are uniquely important in a foundational knowledge of Earth and as such, each topic has its own chapter.

1. Understanding Science

2. Plate Tectonics

3. Minerals

4. Igneous Processes and Volcanoes

5. Weathering, Erosion, and Sedimentary Rocks

6. Metamorphic Rocks

7. Geologic Time

8. Earth History

9. Crustal Deformation and Earthquakes

10. Mass Wasting

11. Water

12. Coastlines

13. Deserts

14. Glaciers

15. Global Climate Change

16. Energy and Mineral Resources

17. Origin of the Universe and Our Solar System

This textbook includes a chapter dedicated to the origin of the universe and our solar system. Many existing introductory Earth Science books lack a chapter dedicated to astronomy and the solar system. Understanding our solar system is important for a variety of reasons: it contains the only known example of a habitable planet, the only star observable close-up, and the only planets we can visit with modern technology such as satellites, probes, and landers. Knowledge of Earth’s place within the solar system is essential to understand the origin of planets, along with the conditions that allow life to exist on Earth.

This open-source textbook includes various important features designed to enhance the student learning experience in introductory Earth Science courses. These include a multitude of high-quality figures and images within each chapter that help to clarify key concepts and are optimized for viewing online. Self-test assessment questions are embedded in each online chapter that help students focus their learning. QR codes are provided for each assessment to allow students using print or PDF versions to easily access the quiz from an internet-capable device of their choice. Selected graphics and tables have been replaced or updated to enhance quality and clarity.

High School Language Expectations

High School Science Language Expectations