Maryland Core Learning Goal 2: Earth and Space Science


Expectation 1: The student will use a variety of resources to identify techniques
used to investigate Earth and the Universe.

1:1 The student will describe current efforts and technologies used to study the atmosphere, land, and oceans of Earth.
At least indicators:
  • remote sensing
  • undersea exploration
  • seismology
  • weather data collection
1:2 The student will describe current efforts and technologies used to study the universe.
At least indicators:
  • optical telescopes
  • radio telescopes
  • spectroscopes
  • satellites
  • space probes
  • manned missions

Expectation 2: The student will describe and apply the concept of natural forces
in the study of Earth/Space Science.

2:1 The student will explain the role of natural forces in the universe.
At least indicators:
  • formation of planets
  • orbital mechanics
  • stellar evolution
2:2 The student will explain the role of natural forces on Earth.
At least indicators:
  • retention of an atmosphere
  • an agent of erosion and deposition
  • tides and deep ocean currents
 
Expectation 3: The student will explain how the transfer of energy
affects weather and climate.
 
3:1 The student will describe heat transfer systems affecting the atmosphere, land, and oceans.
At least indicators:
  • convection
  • conduction
  • radiation from space and from within earth
3:2 The student will investigate meteorological phenomena.
At least indicators:
  • hurricanes
  • tornadoes
  • floods
  • thunderstorms
  • blizzards
3:3 The student will research topics of current concern to climate.
At least indicators:
  • greenhouse effect
  • global warming
  • ocean currents

Expectation 4:The student will describe Earth’s surface and the theory of
plate tectonics and explain the dynamic nature of Earth’s crust.

4:1 The student will describe the structure of the Earth.
At least indicators:
  • inner core
  • outer core
  • mantle
  • lithosphere
4:2 The student will identify common rock forming mineral groups using a key and the properties of minerals.
At least indicators:
  • hardness
  • luster specific gravity
  • streak
  • color
  • cleavage
  • fracture
  • acid test
  • igneous
4:3 The student will use texture and composition to describe various types of rocks.
At least indicators:
  • igneous
  • sedimentary
  • metamorphic
4:4 The student will apply the law of conservation to the processes that affect rocks and minerals.
At least indicators:
  • metamorphism
  • weathering
  • erosion
  • deposition
  • crystallization
4:5 The student will explain the dynamic activity of the earth.
At least indicators:
  • plate tectonics
  • seafloor spreading
  • faulting
  • earthquake
  • volcanoes
Expectation 5- The student will know how to connect prior
understanding and new experiences to evaluate natural cycles.

5:1 The student will investigate various physical cycles found in the natural world.
At least indicators:
  • rock cycle
  • water cycle
  • tides
  • lunar phases
  • eclipses
  • seasons
5:2 The student will analyze the effects of natural cycles on human activity.
At least indicators:
  • weathering
  • erosion and deposition
  • agriculture
  • aquaculture

Expectation 6: The student will investigate how the political climate
affects the development of a scientific theory or model.

6:1 The student will research the various planetary models.
At least indicators:
  • Ptolemy
  • Copernicus
  • Kepler
  • Galileo
6:2 The student will research the change in belief in the age of the earth.
At least indicators:
  • fossil record
  • rock layers
  • radioactive dating
  • Big Bang Theory

Expectation 7: The student will know how to use measurements of different
orders of magnitude to construct an Earth Science model.

7:1 The students will create a geologic time scale including eras, periods, and epochs.
At least indicators:
  • analogies
  • ratios
  • scale drawings
  • powers of ten
7:2 The student will construct a model to show human's place and time in the continuum.
At least indicators:
  • analogies
  • scale drawings
  • powers of ten
7:3 The student will demonstrate the relative sizes and distances of planets in the solar system.
At least indicators:
  • analogies
  • ratios
  • scale drawings