This course is designed to allow students to explore the Earth and beyond while learning skills that will enable them to apply the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to real-world earth and space science situations. Earth and Space Science integrates key areas of science disciplinary core ideas including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. This approach to learning affords students opportunities to distinguish among the four spheres that are essential to the study of the Earth (hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere), to recognize the delicate balance among these spheres, and to analyze the dramatic results when that balance is disrupted. Additionally, this course will involve students developing solutions to authentic problem-based Earth and Space Sciences’ issues and investigations, while also exploring career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
