STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Select and use appropriate technologies to gather, process, and analyze data and to report information related to an investigation.

 II.     Measure quantities in standard metric units.

 III.    Compare the scale and composition of the planets in the solar system.

 IV.     Describe the effect of gravitation on the motion of the planets.

 V.      Use evidence to describe the long term changes in the development of Earth.

 VI.     Describe how radiative energy is transferred in the Earth System.

 VII.    Analyze the structure of, and changes in, the atmosphere, and its significance for life on Earth.

 VIII.   Explain the flow of water in the Earth system.

 IX.     Describe how convective energy is transferred in the Earth System (Single Cell vs. three cell - rotating system; Coriolis Force)

 X       Explain and analyze general weather patterns by collecting, plotting, and interpreting data; describe how energy transfer within the atmosphere influences weather; investigate and explaining the occurrence and effects of storms on human populations.

 XI.     Use physical data, such as precipitation and temperature, to predict global biomes.

 XII.    Use the theory of plate tectonics to explain relationships among earthquakes, volcanoes, mid-ocean ridges, and deep-sea trenches.

 XIII.   Describe the composition and structure of Earth's interior; explain how minerals, rocks, and soils form.

 XIV.    Describe the observable components and functions of a cell: cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts; movement of molecules into and out of cells.

 XV.     Compare and contrast the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

 XVI.    Explain how the rate of environmental change may exceed the capacity of organisms to respond to change, leading to the extinction of species.

 XVII.   Explain how changes in an ecosystem can affect biodiversity and how biodiversity contributes to an ecosystem's stability; and analyze the dynamic equilibrium of ecosystems, including interactions among living and nonliving components.

 XVIII.  Describe the structures and functions of human body systems.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      You are here-the Earth System in the Universe; Overview of systems

 II.     Energy in the Earth System - Atmosphere

 III.    Energy in the Earth System-Lithosphere

 IV.     Energy in the Earth System-Biosphere

 V.      The Earth as a System-Intersection of biosphere, atmosphere, and lithospere

 VI.     Applying knowledge-The search for water and life in the solar system