Earth & Space Sciences
The NYSSLS Earth and Space Science course, based on the New York State Science Learning Standards, is designed to help students understand how the Earth works as a dynamic system and how it fits into the larger universe.
Foundations
This unit introduces key skills used in Earth and Space Science, including observation vs. inference, qualitative and quantitative data, and basic mapping and graphing techniques. Students will practice making scientific observations, interpreting data, using latitude and longitude to find locations, and creating graphs to analyze information. These foundational skills will help students think like scientists and prepare them for future topics.
Space Systems
In this unit, students will explore the origins and mechanics of the universe and how they affect life on Earth. Topics include the Big Bang, nuclear fusion, and stellar nucleosynthesis, which explain how the universe and elements were formed. Through models, data analysis, and simulations, students will understand relationships between celestial motions and Earth systems.
History of Earth
In this unit, students will explore the major events that shaped Earth. They’ll study early Earth, the development of the atmosphere and oceans, and the rise of life. Students will also investigate geologic processes like plate tectonics, mountain building, and mass extinctions to see how these events reveal patterns in Earth’s long-term changes. Through models, fossils, and hands-on activities, they’ll discover how Earth’s dynamic past influences our environment now.
