1. Introduction to Earth Science
Safety, Scientific Method, and Divisions of Earth Science
Introduction to Earth Science

2. Safety Be Responsible! Follow all instructions carefully.
Only touch equipment and materials AFTER you have been instructed to do so.
Be Prepared.
Keep your area clean and neat.
Know what to do if there is an accident or emergency.
If you don’t know, ASK!

3. Scientific Method
Used when trying to find an answer to a question or a problem
Can be formal or informal
Steps vary depending on the question or problem

4. Scientific Method State the problem or question
Research / Gather Information
Develop Hypothesis (prediction)
Experiment
Data Collection (during experiment)
Data Analysis
Conclusion
Repeat / Refine question
Some steps may be omitted

5. Experimental Setup Procedure (Steps) must be able to be repeated.
Experiment must identify the control, constants, and variables
Control – No changes are made; baseline for comparison
Constant – Variable that stays the same (no change)
Variable – Changes (two types)
INDEPENDENT – what you change
DEPENDENT – change you observe

6. Data Two major categories of Data
Qualitative (Quality) – descriptions in pictures or words
Examples - blue, rough, shiny, rattles
Quantitative (Quantity) – measurements in numbers and units; metric system
Examples – 4 cm, 12 eggs, 2.3 L, 75 g

7. Conclusions Statement of findings or results
Can lead to Scientific Laws and Theories
Scientific Law – what - summary of observations that are repeated
Ex. Gravity
Scientific Theory – why or how - explanation of observations that is widely agreed upon
Ex. Big Bang Theory

8. Earth Science – An Overview
Study of anything involving the Earth or its neighbors in space
4 Divisions
Meteorology – weather and climate
Oceanography – water and oceans
Geology – minerals, rocks, and soil
Astronomy – moons, planets, and stars

9. Earth The Earth can be described as 4 distinct spheres.
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
All 4 spheres are connected.
How would a volcanic eruption affect each of the four spheres?

10. Mapping the Earth Map – 2 dimensional representation of the Earth
Globe – 3 dimensional representation of the Earth
Types of Maps
Road
Political
Geologic
Topographic
Etc.

11. Map Features Compass – direction Legend or Key – meaning of symbols
Gridlines – location
Latitude – Vertical (North-South)
Longitude – Horizontal (West-East)