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The
Earth Science standards connect
the study of the Earth’s composition,
structure, processes, and history;
its atmosphere, fresh water, and oceans;
and its environment in space. The
standards emphasize historical contributions
in the development of scientific thought
about the Earth and space. The standards
stress the interpretation of maps,
charts, tables, and profiles; the
use of technology to collect, analyze,
and report data; and the utilization
of science skills in systematic investigation.
Problem solving and decision making
are an integral part of the standards,
especially as they relate to the costs
and benefits of utilizing the Earth’s
resources. Major topics of study
include plate tectonics, the rock
cycle, Earth
history, the oceans, the atmosphere,
weather and climate, and the solar
system and universe.
The Earth Science
standards continue to focus on student
growth in understanding the nature
of science. This scientific view
defines the idea that explanations
of nature are developed and tested
using observation, experimentation,
models, evidence, and systematic
processes. The nature of science
includes the concepts that scientific
explanations are based on logical
thinking; are subject to rules of
evidence; are consistent with observational,
inferential, and experimental evidence;
are open to rational critique; and
are subject to refinement and change
with the addition of new scientific
evidence. The nature of science
includes the concept that science
can provide explanations about nature,
can predict potential consequences
of actions, but cannot be used to
answer all questions. |
| ES.1 |
The
student will plan and conduct
investigations in which
- volume, area, mass,
elapsed time, direction,
temperature, pressure,
distance, density, and
changes in elevation/depth
are calculated utilizing
the most appropriate tools;
- technologies, including
computers, probeware,
and global
positioning systems (GPS)
are used to collect, analyze,
and report data and to
demonstrate concepts and
simulate experimental
conditions;
- scales, diagrams, maps,
charts, graphs, tables,
and profiles are constructed
and interpreted;
- variables are manipulated
with repeated trials;
and
- a scientific
viewpoint is constructed
and defended (the nature
of science).
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| ES.2 |
The
student will demonstrate scientific
reasoning and logic by
- analyzing how science
explains and predicts the
interactions and dynamics
of complex Earth systems;
- recognizing that evidence
is required to evaluate
hypotheses and explanations;
- comparing different scientific
explanations for the same
observations about the Earth;
- explaining that observation
and logic are essential
for reaching a conclusion;
and
- evaluating
evidence for scientific
theories.
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| ES.3 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to read and interpret maps,
globes, models, charts, and
imagery. Key concepts include
- maps (bathymetric, geologic, topographic,
and weather)
and star charts;
- imagery (aerial
photography and
satellite images);
- direction and distance
measurements on any map
or globe; and
- location by latitude
and longitude and
topographic profiles.
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| ES.4 |
The
student will investigate and understand
the characteristics
of the Earth and the solar system. Key concepts
include
- position
of the Earth in the
solar system;
- sun-Earth-moon relationships
(seasons,
tides, and eclipses);
characteristics of the sun, planets, their
moons, comets,
meteors, and asteroids;
- and the history and
contributions of the space
program.
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| ES.5 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to identify major rock-forming and ore
minerals based on physical
and chemical properties. Key
concepts include
- properties
including hardness, color
and streak, luster, cleavage,
fracture, and unique properties;
and
- uses of minerals.
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| ES.6 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to identify common rock types
based on mineral
composition and textures and
the rock cycle as it relates to
the origin and transformation
of rock types. Key concepts include
- igneous(intrusive
and extrusive);
- sedimentary(clastic
and chemical); and
- metamorphic(foliated
and unfoliated) rocks.
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| ES.7 |
The
student will investigate and understand
the differences between renewable
and nonrenewable resources. Key
concepts include
- fossil
fuels, minerals, rocks, water,
and vegetation;
- advantages and disadvantages
of various energy
sources;
- resources found in Virginia;
- making informed judgments
related to resource use
and its effects on Earth
systems; and
- environmental costs and
benefits.
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| ES.8 |
The
student will investigate and understand
geologic processes including plate
tectonics. Key concepts include
- how geologic processes
are evidenced in the physiographic provinces
of Virginia including
the Coastal Plain, Piedmont,
Blue Ridge, Valley and
Ridge, and Appalachian
Plateau;
- processes (faulting,
folding, volcanism, metamorphism, weathering, erosion, deposition,
and sedimentation)
and their resulting features;
and
- tectonic
processes (subduction,
rifting and sea floor
spreading, and continental
collision).
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| ES.9 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how freshwater
resources are influenced by
geologic processes and the activities
of humans. Key concepts include
- processes of soil
development;
- development of karst topography;
- identification of groundwater zones
including water
table, zone
of saturation, and zone
of aeration;
- identification of other
sources of fresh water including
rivers, springs, and aquifers with
reference to the hydrologic
cycle;
- dependence on freshwater
resources and the effects
of human usage on water
quality; and
- identification of the
major watershed
systems in Virginia including
the Chesapeake
Bay and its tributaries.
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| ES.10 |
The
student will investigate and understand
that many aspects of the history
and evolution
of the Earth and life can be inferred
by studying rocks and fossils. Key
concepts include
- traces or remains of
ancient, often extinct,
life are preserved by
various means in many
sedimentary
rocks;
- superposition, cross-cutting
relationships, index fossils,
and radioactive
decay are methods
of dating bodies of rock;
- absolute and relative
dating have different
applications but can be
used together to determine
the age of rocks and structures;
and
- rocks and fossils from
many different geologic
periods and epochs are
found in Virginia.
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| ES.11 |
The
student will investigate and understand
that oceans are
complex, interactive physical,
chemical, and biological systems
and are subject to long- and short-term
variations. Key concepts include
- physical and chemical
changes (tides, waves, currents, sea
level and ice
cap variations, upwelling,
and salinity
concentrations);
- importance of environmental and
geologic implications;
- systems interactions
(density differences,
energy transfer, weather,
and climate);
- features of the sea
floor (continental
margins, trenches, mid-ocean
ridges, and abyssal
plains) reflect
tectonic processes;
and
- economic and public
policy issues concerning
the oceans and the coastal
zone including the Chesapeake
Bay.
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| ES.12 |
The
student will investigate and understand
the origin and evolution
of the atmosphere and the
interrelationship of geologic
processes, biologic processes,
and human activities on its composition
and dynamics. Key concepts include
- scientific evidence
for atmospheric
changes over geologic
time;
- current theories related
to the effects of early
life on the chemical makeup
of the atmosphere;
- comparison
of the Earth's atmosphere
to that of other planets;
- atmospheric regulation
mechanisms including the
effects of density differences
and energy transfer; and
- potential atmospheric
compositional changes
due to human, biologic,
and geologic activity.
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| ES.13 |
The
student will investigate and
understand that energy transfer
between the sun, Earth, and
the Earth's atmosphere drives
weather and climate on Earth. Key
concepts include
- observation and collection
of weather data;
- prediction of weather
patterns;
- severe weather occurrences
such as tornadoes, hurricanes,
and major storms; and
- weather
phenomena and the
factors that affect climate
including radiation and
convection.
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| ES.14 |
The
student will investigate and understand
scientific concepts related to
the origin and evolution of the universe. Key
concepts include
- nebulae;
- the origin
of stars and star
systems;
- stellar
evolution;
- galaxies;
and
- cosmology (the
Big Bang).
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Equipment
Available
Updated
Thursday, December 1, 2005