Earth System Science in the Community

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Earth System Science in the Community
Program Overview
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What is EarthComm?

• High School Earth Science Curriculum
• Earth Systems
• Inquiry-based
• Community-based

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Driven by

• National Science Education Standards (NAS).
• Benchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS).

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Program Development

• Developed by Earth science experts and classroom
  teachers through the American Geological
  Institute.
• Funded by the National Science Foundation and AGI
  Foundation
• Published by Its About Time.

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Teacher Support

• Materials kits, one per module.
• Teacher guides.
• Web sites with local resources.
• Professional development.

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EarthComm Students

• Learn Earth science principles through a systems
  approach.
• Learn by engaging in scientific inquiry and
  scientific investigations.

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EarthComm Students

• Use the geoscience in their communities as a
  springboard to launching investigations.
• Access existing data and generate their own data
  sets to explore questions.

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Earth Systems

• The Atmosphere.
• The Biosphere.
• The Cryosphere.
• The Geosphere.
• The Hydrosphere.

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Program Structure

• 5 Modules
• 3 Chapters per Module
• 5-7 Activities per chapter

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Module and Chapter Structure

• Module
• Three Chapters
• Each has a community related problem
• Chapter
• Getting Started
• Scenario
• Chapter Challenge
• Assessment Criteria
• Activities (5-7)

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Activity Design
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Activity Structure

• Goals
• Think About It
• Investigate
• Reflecting on the Activity and the Challenge
• Digging Deeper
• Check Your Understanding
• Understanding and Applying What You Have Learned
• Preparing for the Chapter Challenge
• Inquiring Further

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Teacher Guide

• Module flow, goals and objectives.
• Background information.
• Correlation to National Standards.
• Preparation and materials needed.

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Teacher Guide

• Detailed teaching and assessment tips.
• Blackline masters of key diagrams.
• Assessment rubrics and exams.

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Assessment

• Chapter Pre-Assessment
• Activity Pre-Assessments
• Embedded Assessments
• Rubrics for Chapter Reports
• Alternative Assessments

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The Five Modules

• Earths Dynamic Geosphere
• Earths Fluid Spheres
• Earths Natural Resources
• Earth System Evolution
• Understanding Your Environment