Earth and Space Sciences

Earths Place in the Universe

The Universe- a wide open space that encompasses everything from the smallest particle

to the largest galaxy; no one knows how large the universe is

o galaxy- contains stars, gas, and dust held together as a group by gravity
Our solar system and sun are part of a galaxy called The Milky Way.
solar system- made up of a group of objects, sometimes called heavenly or celestial
bodies, that move around the sun
o sun-the center star of our solar system; all the planets in our solar system orbit
around the sun.
o stars- made up of extremely hot gases; not solid bodies
o celestial bodies are also called satellites- they can move around a sun or other
celestial bodies. For example, the moon is a satellite to the earth, and the earthmoon system is a satellite to the sun.
planet- a satellite to our sun; our solar system is made up of 8 true planets
and 1 dwarf planet
Or solar systems planets, beginning with the planet closest to the
sun and moving farther away, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto
We live on planet Earth, the third planet from the sun. As Earth
spins on what is called its axis, it makes one complete turn each
day; this causes our days and nights. Earths axis is tilted. So as
the earth rotates on its axis and rotates around the sun, different
parts of the Earth get the suns direct rays, which causes Earths
seasons.

Earths Systems

Biosphere- all life on Earth; the parts of the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere in

which living organisms can be found

Hydrosphere- all of Earth's water, including surface water (water in oceans, lakes, and
rivers), groundwater (water in soil and beneath the Earth's surface), snowcover, ice, and

water in the atmosphere, including water vapor

Geosphere- the layer of Earth under both atmosphere and oceans; It is comprised of the

core, the mantle, and the crust

Atmosphere- the envelope of gases that surrounds Earth
Plate tectonics- plates that float on molten rock deep beneath the earths surface; as these
plates shift and cause continents to move, it is called continental drift
o When friction is caused by tectonic plates moving, it can cause an earthquake.
o As plates move, hot magma from deep within the earth rises to the surface and

gases are released, causing possible volcanoes

Earth is often referred to as the water planet because of the vast amount of water it
possesses.
o Water- found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds. It is found as vapor, as fog in
clouds, as rain, snow or hail falling; as ice, snow or running water on land, and as
ground water beneath the surface. .Nearly all of Earths available water is in the
oceans.
o Waters physical and chemical properties- absorbing, storing, and releasing
energy as it changes state, transmitting sunlight, expanding upon freezing,
dissolving and transporting materials; each of these properties play a role in

shaping Earths surface. For example, ice expansion contributes to rock erosion.
Earths weather is the combination of sunlight, wind, snow or rain, and temperature in a
particular region at a particular time. People measure these conditions to describe and
record the weather and to notice patterns over time.
o Weather is the minute-by-minute to day-by-day variation of the atmospheres
condition on a local scale. Scientists record the patterns of the weather across

different times and areas so that they can make predictions about what kind of
weather might happen next.
o Climate- describes the ranges of an areas typical weather conditions and the

extent to which those conditions vary over years to centuries.

Living things depend on the land, water, and air to live and grow. They in turn can change
their environment (e.g., the shape of land, the flow of water). Living things affect the
physical characteristics of their regions (e.g., plants roots hold soil in place, beaver
shelters and human-built dams alter the flow of water, plants respiration affects the air).
Many types of rocks and minerals are formed from the remains of organisms or are
altered by their activities.

Earth and Human Activity

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they try to live in places
that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do: for
example, they use soil and water to grow food, wood to burn to provide heat or to build
shelters, and materials such as iron or copper extracted from Earth to make cooking pans.
o All materials, energy, and fuels that humans use are derived from natural sources,
and their use affects the environment in multiple ways. Some resources are

renewable over time, and others are not.

Natural hazards- earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, severe weather, floods, and
coastal erosion
o Certain hazards are much more likely in certain areas and climates than others.
o While humans cannot control or eliminate natural hazards, they can take steps to

reduce the impacts of natural hazards.

By adapting and living comfortably, humans change the world around them.

o Reducing, reusing, and recycling helps reduce the human effects on the
environment.
o Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday life have had major effects
on the land, vegetation, streams, ocean, air, and even outer space. But individuals
and communities are doing things to help protect Earths resources and
environments. For example, they are treating sewage, reducing the amounts of
materials they use, and regulating sources of pollution such as emissions from

factories and power plants or the runoff from agricultural activities.

Global climate change is caused by both human activities and natural happenings.
o By using science-based predictive models, humans can anticipate long-term
change more effectively than ever before and plan accordingly.

Resources
http://www.nap.edu/read/13165/chapter/11#197
Koch, Janice. Science Stories: Science Methods for Elementary and Middle School Teachers.
Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2013.

http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/lesson-plans/connect-spheres-earth-systems-interactions