PSCI 183

Earth Science for Elementary Teachers

What is Earth Science?

Earth Science

All sciences that collectively seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in space

GeologyGeology

SubdisciplinesSubdisciplines

OceanographyOceanography

MeteorologyMeteorology

AstronomyAstronomy

Importance of Earth Science

ResourcesResources

Environmental ProblemsEnvironmental Problems

Resources

RenewableRenewable

NonrenewableNonrenewable

plants and animals for foodplants and animals for food fibers for clothingfibers for clothing forests for lumber and paperforests for lumber and paper energy from water, wind and sunenergy from water, wind and sun

metalsmetals– ironiron– aluminumaluminum– coppercopper

fuelsfuels– oiloil– natural gasnatural gas– coal coal

Environmental Problems

Human InducedHuman Induced

Natural DisastersNatural Disasters

Environmental Problems

Acid RainAcid Rain

Ozone depletionOzone depletion

Global warningGlobal warning

PollutionPollution

Human Induced

Environmental Problems

Natural Disasters

VolcanoesVolcanoes

HurricanesHurricanes

TsunamisTsunamis

EarthquakesEarthquakes

Asiantsunamivideos.com

The Nature of Scientific Inquiry“Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I’ll remember, involve me and I’ll understand”

HypothesisHypothesis

TheoryTheory

Scientific LawScientific Law

– An educated guess based upon observation. An educated guess based upon observation. – A rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon – based on A rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon – based on

observation and has not been proved. observation and has not been proved. – Can be supported or refuted by experimentation or continued Can be supported or refuted by experimentation or continued

observation.observation.

– An explanation of a set of related observations or events An explanation of a set of related observations or events – Based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by Based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by

detached groups of researchers. detached groups of researchers. – One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesisOne scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis

(Theory of Evolution, Theory of Relativity, Quantum Theory)(Theory of Evolution, Theory of Relativity, Quantum Theory)

– Accepted to be true and universalAccepted to be true and universal– Accepted at face value based upon fact they have always been Accepted at face value based upon fact they have always been

observed to be true.observed to be true. (Law of Gravity, Law of Thermodynamics)(Law of Gravity, Law of Thermodynamics)

Topics Covered in PSCI 183

Rocks and MineralsRocks and Minerals

Next class meeting – please read Chapter 1Next class meeting – please read Chapter 1 – – print “mineral’s lab”print “mineral’s lab”

Earth’s ProcessesEarth’s Processes

EarthquakesEarthquakes VolcanoesVolcanoes OceansOceans AtmosphereAtmosphere

Solar SystemSolar System

Water, Wind and GlaciersWater, Wind and Glaciers

Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate