• Naming your Event Team if you haven't done so already
• Understanding Earth's spheres and how they connect and function as a "system"
• Analyzing the impact of an event on Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere
• Exploring problem-based learning modules that contains ESS issues

Assignments
Do: Meet with your team members in Course Space, if you have not done so already, and choose an Event Team name.

Do: Read "An introduction to an ESS Analysis" and do an ESS analysis of the Yellowstone Forest Fires event.

Do: Look over the Exploring the Environment™ (ETE) site. It contains problem-based learning modules available for grades 5-12. Each interdisciplinary module asks students to address an Earth science issue. Issues vary in complexity and scope, but all are designed to engage students in student-centered research. 

The Middle School Earth Science Explorer, which is linked from the ETE homepage, is designed for grades 5 and 6, but it may be a valuable resource to teachers of other grades. The usefulness of this site is that it provides a model for you to create your own classroom applications.

Readings & Recommendations

Read: Welcome to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise: Educational CD-ROM

Under the introductory section:

• "Earth System Science"

Read: Teaching Science Through Inquiry by David Haury.

Read: "Designing Science Lessons." Forecasting the Future. pp. 111-113.

Recommended Web Site: Earth Week