My colleague Andrew Alden, the About.com Geology Guide, shares information about the Earth Science Literacy Initiative, which "aims to gather and codify the underlying understandings of Earth sciences into a succinct document that would have broad-reaching applications in both public and private arenas. It will establish the 'Big Ideas' and supporting concepts that all Americans should know about Earth sciences." I think it's a great idea and it reminds me a lot of the National Geography Standards developed in 1994. The Big Ideas of the Earth Science Literacy Initiative are the following...
Big Idea #1: Earth is 4.6 billion years old and the rock record contains its history.
Big Idea #2: Earth is a complex system of interactions between rock, water, air and life.
Big Idea #3: Earth is a continuously changing planet.
Big Idea #4: Earth is the water planet.
Big Idea #5: Life evolves on a dynamic Earth and continuously modifies Earth.
Big Idea #6: Humans Depend on Earth for Resources.
Big Idea #7: Earth science reduces the impacts of natural hazards.
Big Idea #8: Humans have become a significant agent of change on Earth.
Take a look at the draft document (PDF) on the ESLI site and share your thoughts!
Comments
Really good work about this website was done. Keep trying more – thanks!