Unit 1- Astronomy

EEn. 1.1.1 Explain the Earths motion through space, including precession, nutation,
the barycenter, and its path about the galaxy.
EEn. 1.1.2 Explain how the Earths rotation and revolution about the Sun affect its
shape and is related to seasons and tides.
EEn. 1.1.3 Explain how the sun produces energy which is transferred to the Earth
by radiation.
EEn. 1.1.4 Explain how incoming solar energy makes life possible on Earth

n this unit we are learning to:

Identify the Big Bang theory as the most commonly accepted theory for the formation of the
universe.
Explain where Earth falls in terms of relative size in the Universe.
Explain how we know that the universe is still expanding.
Explain nutation, barycenter and precession.
Explain what will make the barycenter between two objects change.
Explain why the circumference of Earth is larger around the equator than the poles (equatorial
bulge).
Discuss how and why the sun moves around in our galaxy.
Explain planetary orbits using Keplers laws.
Describe how the tilt of the Earth affects seasons.
Explain how the tilt of the Earths axis affects how much sunlight a location receives.
Compare and contrast combustion, fusion and fission.
Identify fusion as the process that produces the energy of stars
Identify the types of energy produced by the sun.
Identify which electromagnetic waves will be filtered by Earths atmosphere and magnetic
field.
Explain how energy flows from the sun to the Earth through space.
Explain how water and land heat and cool at different rates.
Explain how solar energy is changed into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Unit 2- weather and climate

EEn 2.5.1 summarize the structure and composition of our atmosphere
EEn 2.5.2 explain the formation of typical air masses and weather systems that
result from air mass interactions
EEn 2.5.3 explain how cyclonic storms form based on the interaction of air
masses.
EEn 2.5.4 predict the weather using available weather maps and data.
Een 2.6.1 differentiate between weather and climate

earning

to:
Summarize information from charts and graphs regarding layers of the atmosphere
Explain how air masses move in response to different pressures.
Explain factors that can change air density.
Interpret a relative humidity chart.
Discuss the importance of water vapor in relation to weather.
Identify common symbols that are used on weather maps
Explain how interactions of air masses form fronts.
Name and identify the characteristics of the most common types of air masses in the united
states.
Describe the weather associated with each type of front.
Use data to provide evidence of air mass interactions
Analyze and predict weather using technological resources
Offer a variety of methods to help lessen human impact on the atmosphere.
Discuss climate categories based off Koppens climate classification system
Compare and contrast weather and climate

Unit 3- human impact and climate change

EEN 2.2.1 explain the consequences of human activities on the lithosphere past
and present.
EEN 2.2.2 Compare the various methods humans use to acquire traditional energy
sources
EEN 2.6.2 Explain changes in global climate due to natural processes
EEn 2.6.3 Analyze the impacts that human activities have on global climate
change (such as burning hydrocarbons, greenhouse effect and deforestation)
EEN 2.6.4 attribute changes to Earths systems to global climate change
EEn 2.5.5 explain how human activities affect air quality

Explain the need for and consequences of different types of land use.
Explain ways to mitigate human impact on the lithosphere.
Explain the effects of development and artificial stabilization efforts on shorelines.
Explain the effects of development and artificial stabilization efforts on mountainsides.
Compare the methods of obtaining energy sources.
Discuss the effects obtaining energy sources has on the environment.
Summarize the natural processes that can affect global climate.
Explain the greenhouse effect and list greenhouse gases.
Discuss how deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels contribute to global climate change.
Explain how large scale development can contribute to regional changes in climate.
Analyze actions that can be taken to help mitigate climate change.
Analyze how changes in global temperature affect the biosphere.
Explain how acid rain is formed
Discuss how human activities can impact the quality of atmospheric composition.

Unit 4- Plate tectonics

EEN 2.1.1 Explain how the rock cycle, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes
impact the lithosphere

Identify the layers of the Earth

Explain that the Earths lithosphere is divided into several tectonic plates.
Explain how convection, ridge push and gravity pull drive the movement of lithospheric plates
Discuss the relationship between the type of plate boundary and the various features that may
form as a result.
Summarize the major events in geologic history of North Carolina and the southeastern United
States.

Unit 5- volcanoes and Earthquakes

EEn 2.1.1 Explain how the rock cycle, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes
impact the lithosphere
EEn 2.1.2 Predict the locations of volcanoes, earthquakes and faults based on
information contained in a variety of maps

Compare magma and lava

Locate volcanoes and discuss their relationship to plate boundaries
Explain volcanic effects on the lithosphere and atmosphere
Compare and contrast epicenter and focal point.
Discuss the various types of earthquakes and their relationship to magnitude
Describe the movement of particles in relation to primary and secondary waves.
Explain how tectonic processes change sea level over time.
Identify the location of volcanoes, earthquakes and faults using a variety of maps.

UNIT 6- Weathering, erosion and mass movement

EEn 2.1.1 Explain how the rock cycle, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes
impact the lithosphere
EEn 2.1.3 Explain how natural actions such as weathering, erosion and soil
formation affect Earths surface
EEn 2.1.4 Explain the probability of and preparation for geohazards such as
landslides, avalanches, earthquakes and volcanoes in a particular area based on
available data.

Explain the rock cycle and how materials are cycled through
Describe the processes of physical and chemical weathering, deposition, foliation and bedding
as they relate to the rock cycle.
Identify soil as the result of weathered rocks.
Compare and contrast chemical and physical weathering
Describe how weathering rates are affected by factors like climate, topography, surface area
and rock composition.
Compare and contrast erosion by water, wind, ice and gravity.
Identify the best locations for development to reduce impacts by geohazards.
Discuss precautions that can be made to protect life from geohazards and meteorological
hazards.

UNIT 7- Hydrology
EEN 2.3.1 explain how water is an energy agent (currents and heat transfer)
EEN 2.3.2 explain how ground water and surface water interact
EEN 2.4.1 Evaluate human influences on freshwater availability
EEN 2.4.2 Evaluate human influences on water quality in North carolinas river
basins, wetlands and tidal environments.

Explain how the density of ocean water is affected by temperature.

Explain how ocean currents distribute heat away from the equator toward the poles.
Explain how coastal climates are moderated by water.
Explain the relationship between groundwater and surface water.
Illustrate the water cycle.
Explain how groundwater moves through the lithosphere.
Explain river systems and discuss NC river basins, aquifers and watersheds.
Explain how flood events might be affected by different groundwater levels.
Discuss different types of water use by humans and the benefits and consequences of use.
Explain the consequences of aquifer depletion.
Explain the effects of population growth on potable water resources.
Explain how pollutants might flow through a watershed and affect its inhabitants.
Evaluate issues of ground and surface water pollution, wetland and estuary degradation and
salt water intrusion.
Define potable water.
Analyze how wastewater treatment systems impact quantity and quality of potable water.
Evaluate water quality of NC streams.
Analyze non point source pollution and its effects on water quality.
Evaluate different conservation measures to maximize quality and quantity of potable water.
Explain how changes in the atmosphere lead to pH changes in the ocean.
Explain how changes in global temperature will affect sea level.

 Analyze the many ways that sea level has been affected by other earth processes.
Unit 8- Ecology
EEn 2.7.1 Explain how abiotic and biotic factors interact to create the various
biomes in North Carolina
EEn 2.7.2 Explain why biodiversity is important to the biosphere.
EEn 2.7.3 Explain how human activities impact the biosphere.

Define biotic and abiotic

Explain how biotic and abiotic factors determine biome classification.
Compare impacts of biotic and abiotic factors on biodiversity.
Match landforms and soils to biomes
Define the biosphere as all life on Earth.
Explain biodiversity as including genetic variation within populations and variation of
populations within ecosystems.
Discuss the relationship between environmental conditions, plants and animals in different
biomes.
Explain the global impact of loss of biodiversity
Explain effects of human population growth, pollution and overharvesting on ecosystems in NC.
Explain effects of invasive species on NC ecosystems.
Discuss methods to mitigate human impact on the biosphere.

Unit 9- Sustainability
EEn 2.8.1 Evaluate alternative energy technologies for use in North Carolina
EEn 2.8.2 Critique conventional and sustainable agriculture and aquaculture
practices in terms of their environmental impacts.
EEn 2.8.3 Explain the effects of uncontrolled population growth on the Earths
resources.
EEn 2.8.4 Evaluate the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle in terms of impact on
natural resources.

Critique the benefits, costs and environmental impacts of alternative sources of energy.
Evaluate which sources of alternative energy may work best in different parts of the state and
why.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of traditional agriculture/aquaculture techniques
Compare traditional agriculture/aquaculture techniques with sustainable techniques
Explain the potential impact of sustainable agriculture/aquaculture on the environment.
Define carrying capacity.
Explain limiting factors to human population growth.
Summarize the impacts from population growth on NC natural resources.
Define an ecological footprint.
Explain how ecological footprints exist at the personal and global level.
Evaluate personal choices in terms of impacts on availability of natural resources.
Discuss methods to maximize sustainable use of natural resources.