Our planet is alive in a figurative sense. It can be healthy or it can be sick based on the interaction among and within its various systems. Understanding these interactions is vitally important to cultivating and maintaining a habitable planet.
In this section, we learned about water, both in the ground and in the air through the hydrologic cycle. Tagging along with groundwater, we examined soil to serve as a bridge between water and resources since soil is a resource in its own right. Next, we learned about resources while focusing primarily on energy resources. We looked at both renewable and nonrenewable resources while analyzing their advantages and disadvantages. In Virginia, one of the biggest and most important resources is the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay ties in to the next section: oceans. In the oceans, we examined the ecosystems, zones, currents, waves, and topography of the ocean floor. We finished with a discussion of the causes and status of global climate change. The Earth's systems are so closely connected that it is virtually impossible to study one without studying some part of another.
In this section, we learned about water, both in the ground and in the air through the hydrologic cycle. Tagging along with groundwater, we examined soil to serve as a bridge between water and resources since soil is a resource in its own right. Next, we learned about resources while focusing primarily on energy resources. We looked at both renewable and nonrenewable resources while analyzing their advantages and disadvantages. In Virginia, one of the biggest and most important resources is the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay ties in to the next section: oceans. In the oceans, we examined the ecosystems, zones, currents, waves, and topography of the ocean floor. We finished with a discussion of the causes and status of global climate change. The Earth's systems are so closely connected that it is virtually impossible to study one without studying some part of another.
Standards of Learning
ES.6 The student will investigate and understand the differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources. Key concepts include:
a) fossil fuels, minerals, rocks, water, and vegetation;
b) advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources;
c) resources found in Virginia; and
d) environmental costs and benefits.
ES.8 The student will investigate and understand how freshwater resources are influenced by geologic processes and the activities of humans. Key concepts include:
a) processes of soil development;
b) development of karst topography;
c) relationships between groundwater zones, including saturated and unsaturated zones and the water table;
d) identification of sources of freshwater, including rivers, springs, and aquifers, with reference to the hydrologic cycle;
e) dependence on freshwater resources and the effects of human usage on water quality; and
f) identification of the major watershed systems in Virginia, including the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
ES.10 The student will investigate and understand that oceans are complex, interactive physical, chemical, and biological systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations. Key concepts include:
a) physical and chemical changes related to tides, waves, currents, sea level and ice cap variations, upwelling, and salinity variations;
b) importance of environmental and geologic implications;
c) systems interactions;
d) features of the seafloor as reflections of tectonic processes; and
e) economic and public policy issues concerning the oceans and the coastal zone including the Chesapeake Bay.
ES.11 The student will investigate and understand the origin and evolution of the atmosphere and the interrelationship of geologic processes, biologic processes and human activities on its composition and dynamics. Key concepts include:
d) potential changes to the atmosphere and climate due to human, biologic, and geologic activity.
a) fossil fuels, minerals, rocks, water, and vegetation;
b) advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources;
c) resources found in Virginia; and
d) environmental costs and benefits.
ES.8 The student will investigate and understand how freshwater resources are influenced by geologic processes and the activities of humans. Key concepts include:
a) processes of soil development;
b) development of karst topography;
c) relationships between groundwater zones, including saturated and unsaturated zones and the water table;
d) identification of sources of freshwater, including rivers, springs, and aquifers, with reference to the hydrologic cycle;
e) dependence on freshwater resources and the effects of human usage on water quality; and
f) identification of the major watershed systems in Virginia, including the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
ES.10 The student will investigate and understand that oceans are complex, interactive physical, chemical, and biological systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations. Key concepts include:
a) physical and chemical changes related to tides, waves, currents, sea level and ice cap variations, upwelling, and salinity variations;
b) importance of environmental and geologic implications;
c) systems interactions;
d) features of the seafloor as reflections of tectonic processes; and
e) economic and public policy issues concerning the oceans and the coastal zone including the Chesapeake Bay.
ES.11 The student will investigate and understand the origin and evolution of the atmosphere and the interrelationship of geologic processes, biologic processes and human activities on its composition and dynamics. Key concepts include:
d) potential changes to the atmosphere and climate due to human, biologic, and geologic activity.