I.) WAYS OF KNOWING (Scientific Method, Observations, Technology, Informatics, Habits of Mind, Faith) “Reflection on how we know what we believe will help our understanding”

Ways of Knowing Intuition Ask a friend/expert Internet, media Observation, hypothesis, test, revise Peer-reviewed science journals Scientific consensus It just makes sense to me Faith

II.) HUMAN INTERACTIONS (Sustainability, Ocean Policy and Management, Human Health) “Currently, the human species is significantly affecting and is affected by earth systems, but has the ability to choose its relationship with the environment”

Human Interactions Economics-Goods and services Laws and regulations-Wetland Protection Act International Cooperation-Montreal Protocol—Ozone depletion and freons –Copenhagen Social norms shift—Global Climate Change

III.) ECOSYSTEMS (Biological Communities, Population Ecology, Habitats) “The survival and health of individuals and groups of organisms are intimately coupled to their environment”

Ecosystems Eco-Sphere Trophic levels Niches Biotic vs. Abiotic factors Predator vs. Prey Hula Hoops

IV.) EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE (System Properties, Oceanography, Atmospheric Science, Earth Science) “The Earth as a whole acts as a complex set of interacting systems with emergent properties”

Earth System Science Water Cycle Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Climate Plate tectonics Positive and Negative Feedbacks Thresholds

V.) EVOLUTION-BIODIVERSITY (Species Diversity, Natural Selection, Biogeography) “Evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life”

Evolution and Biodiversity Survival of the fittest/Natural Selection Genetics Mass extinctions Rain forest vs. tundra Niche Species migration due to climate change Succession after a disaster

VI.) ENERGY FLOW AND TRANSFORMATION (Forms of Energy, Thermodynamics, Conservation of Energy, Energy Use, Motion) “Energy transformations drive physical, chemical, and biological processes. Total energy is conserved and flows to more diffuse forms”

Energy and Transformations Energy balance (sun’s radiation budget) Eco-Sphere Household Energy Alternative Energy sources Trophic levels

VII.) CONSERVATION OF MASS (Input/Output Models, Elemental Cycles, Hydrological Cycle, Stoichiometry, Equilibrium) “Mass is conserved as it is transferred from one pool to another”

Conservation of Mass Eco-Sphere Keeling Curve Carbon Cycle BioSphere 2 Petroleum reserves Residence time in a hot tub/ocean

VIII.) SPATIO-TEMPORAL RELATIONSHIPS (Geospatial Position, Mapping, Historical Trends, Coordinate Systems) “Choosing the appropriate reference frame is the key to understanding one’s environment.”

Spatial-Temporal Scales Ice ages Plate tectonics, mountain building Household/Boston Harbor/Neponset Watershed/ Earth Carbon dioxide variations with time Global warming Mass extinctions Remote Sensing Models

Summary Content –Facts –Concepts Skills –Reading graphs –Calculations –Group discussions/negotiations –Research (take home exams, paper) Relevance –News –Local examples