ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

In this video Paul Andersen describes both weather and climate.  Weather is the day-to-day conditions on the Earth's surface, including temperature, wind, humidity, air pressure, and precipitation.  Climate are the long term conditions on the Earth's surface.  Both climate and weather are determined by sunlight, water, landforms and life forms.  A K-12 teaching progression is also included.

ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems

In this video Paul Andersen describes the four major spheres on planet Earth.  The geosphere makes up the mass of the planet and includes the major landforms.  The hydrosphere is all of the water and the atmosphere is all of the gases.  The biosphere exists where the others spheres interface.  A K-12 teaching progression is also included.

CCC7: Stability and Change

Paul Andersen explains how stability and change are regulated in systems through controls and feedback.  Controls are used to regulate matter and energy flowing into a system.  Feedback mechanisms within the system are used to regulate stability.  Negative feedback loops keep the values around a set point and positive feedback loops move them away.  Disequilibrium can result in death of living systems and destruction of physical systems.  A progression of instruction for K-12 students is also included. 

SEP4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Paul Andersen explains how scientists analyze and interpret data.  Data can be organized in a table and displayed using a graph.  Students should learn how to present and evaluate data.