Lesson I: Earth System Science: Hydrosphere

Introduction
Water plays such an important role in our planet that Earth systems scientists extensively study the hydrosphere, the SYSTEM of all Earth's water. This hydrosphere itself can be studied in terms of its subsystem parts - the oceans, frozen water in glaciers and polar ice caps, ground water, surface fresh water and water vapor in the atmosphere. The parts of Earth's water system can also be identified as water reservoirs, places where water occurs. The water reservoir that holds the most water, 97.25% of all water on Earth, is the ocean reservoir.

Objectives
After the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:
  • Identify the major Earth systems
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the hydrosphere as one of earth's systems
  • Describe at least ten (10) major uses of water on planet Earth
  • Research major sources of earth's water
  • Demonstrate research skills in locating information that describe general aspects of the hydrosphere
  • Locate definitions of specific terms used to understand the various aspects of water science
  • List and explain the steps of the scientific method
Activities: The instructor will determine student knowledge related to the hydrosphere by beginning the discussion utilizing a K-W-L chart drawn on the chalkboard or transparency.
  1. Introduce the lesson with the definition of Earth Systems Science, listing the areas that compose the systems.  http://education.gsfc.nasa.gov/esssproject/ess_definition.html
  2. Let the students know that this lesson will introduce one of the systems, the Hydrosphere. Ask the students to describe at least ten (10) major uses of water.
  3. Ask students to list major sources of water they already know.
  4. Students will be directed to the following glossary of terms necessary for a basic understanding of the study of water science http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/dictionary.html.
  5. Students will develop and share related k-6 lesson plans.
  6. As cooperative learning groups, students will research the following website and select a topic for presentation during next class: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/mearth.html
  7. Students will list the steps to the scientific methods, explain each step and describe how it is applied in problem solving




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