Introduction to the Earth System

Introduction to the Earth System explores the essential question of what the Earth system is, and how you can use inquiry methods to teach about it.

Course Objectives

• Develop content knowledge about Earth as a system
• Introduce inquiry-based learning models
• Introduce a media-rich learning environment to use with students
• Understand and utilize the scientific process

Course Syllabus

Session 1: Energy Transfer and Earth System Cycles
Participants look at Earth as a system and explore how this system functions to create the physical world around us.

Session 2: Inquiry into Earth System Science
Participants examine Earth system science in the context of research about how people learn and inquiry-based instructional models.

Additional Course Information

• First in a series of four courses for teachers of earth and space science
• Other courses in the series:
  • 2nd course: Structure of the Earth System
  • 3rd course: Earth in Time and Space
  • 4th course: Weather and Climate
• A full survey course, Teaching Earth and Space Science, is also available.

We recommend course modules be taken in order. If this is not possible, it's important to have a basic knowledge of the content and methodology described in the preceding courses.

See also: Course Tour example