(9-12) M2

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 07/01/04

9-12

M2: Demonstrate the importance of resource management, controlling environmental impacts, and maintaining natural ecosystems.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

What is likely to happen if we do not change our impact on this resource?

What are of the environmental impacts that you, as an individual, have?

What are some of the impacts of our society?

What natural ecosystems need immediate protection?

Elaboration
Although the Earth is very large and has a great capacity to absorb and recycle materials naturally, it does have its limits. It has only a finite capacity to withstand change without generating major ecological alterations that may also have adverse effects on humans.

Specific Ideas

The benefits of the earth's resources can be reduced by using them wastefully or by deliberately or inadvertently destroying them.Benchmarks 4B11 (6-8).

Fresh water, limited in supply, is essential for life and also for most industrial process. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater can be depleted or polluted, becoming unavailable or unsuitable for life.Benchmarks 4B8 (6-8).

Even relatively small changes in atmospheric or ocean content can have widespread effects on climate if the change lasts long enough. Benchmarks 4B6 (6-8).

Humans have a major effect on other species. For example, the influence of humans on other organisms occurs through land use -- which decreases space available to other species -- and pollution -- which changes the chemical composition of air, soil, and water. NSES F6e.

The amount of life any environment can support is limited by the available energy, water, oxygen, and minerals, and by the ability of ecosystems to recycle the residue of dead organic materials. Human activities and technologies can change the flow and reduce the fertility of the land.Benchnmarks 5E2.

The environment may contain dangerous levels of substances that are harmful to human beings. Therefore, the good health of individuals requires monitoring the soil, air, and water and taking steps to keep them safe.Benchmarks 6E5.

The global environment is affected by national policies and practices relating to energy use, waste disposal, ecological management, manufacturing, and population. Benchmarks 7G5 (6-8).

Industrialization brings an increased demand for and use of energy. Such usage contributes to the high standard of living in the industrially developing nations but also leads to more rapid depletion of the earth's energy resources and to environmental risks associated with the use of fossil and nuclear fuels. Benchmarks 8C4.

Decisions to slow the depletion of energy sources through efficient technology can be made at many levels, from personal to national, and they always involve tradeoffs of economic cost and social values.Benchmarks 8C5.

Human populations use resources in the environment in order to maintain and improve their existence. NSES F3a.

The earth does not have infinite resources; increasing human consumption places severe stress on the natural processes that renew some resources, and it depletes those resources that cannot be renewed. NSES F3b.

Humans use many natural systems as resources. Natural systems have the capacity to reuse waste, but that capacity is limited. Natural systems can change to an extent that exceeds the limits of organisms to adapt naturally or humans to adapt technologically. NSES F3c.

Natural ecosystems provide and array of basic processes that affect humans. Those processes include maintenance of the quality of the atmosphere, generation of soils, control of the hydrologic cycle, disposal of wastes, and recycling of nutrients. Humans are changing many of these basic processes, and the changes may be detrimental to humans. NSES F4a.

Many changes in the environment designed by humans bring benefits to society, as well as cause risks.NSES F5d.

Materials from human societies affect both physical and chemical cycles of the earth. NSES F4b.

Developmental & Instructional Implications
The teacher's job is not to provide students with the "right" answers about technology but to see to it that students know what questions to ask. Benchmarks p. 56.

Examples

Back to Big Ideas Grid M Back to Standard M Back to Index

Curriculum Organizing Questions	What is likely to happen if we do not change our impact on this resource? What are of the environmental impacts that you, as an individual, have? What are some of the impacts of our society? What natural ecosystems need immediate protection?
Elaboration	Although the Earth is very large and has a great capacity to absorb and recycle materials naturally, it does have its limits. It has only a finite capacity to withstand change without generating major ecological alterations that may also have adverse effects on humans.
Specific Ideas	The benefits of the earth's resources can be reduced by using them wastefully or by deliberately or inadvertently destroying them.Benchmarks 4B11 (6-8). Fresh water, limited in supply, is essential for life and also for most industrial process. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater can be depleted or polluted, becoming unavailable or unsuitable for life.Benchmarks 4B8 (6-8). Even relatively small changes in atmospheric or ocean content can have widespread effects on climate if the change lasts long enough. Benchmarks 4B6 (6-8). Humans have a major effect on other species. For example, the influence of humans on other organisms occurs through land use -- which decreases space available to other species -- and pollution -- which changes the chemical composition of air, soil, and water. NSES F6e. The amount of life any environment can support is limited by the available energy, water, oxygen, and minerals, and by the ability of ecosystems to recycle the residue of dead organic materials. Human activities and technologies can change the flow and reduce the fertility of the land.Benchnmarks 5E2. The environment may contain dangerous levels of substances that are harmful to human beings. Therefore, the good health of individuals requires monitoring the soil, air, and water and taking steps to keep them safe.Benchmarks 6E5. The global environment is affected by national policies and practices relating to energy use, waste disposal, ecological management, manufacturing, and population. Benchmarks 7G5 (6-8). Industrialization brings an increased demand for and use of energy. Such usage contributes to the high standard of living in the industrially developing nations but also leads to more rapid depletion of the earth's energy resources and to environmental risks associated with the use of fossil and nuclear fuels. Benchmarks 8C4. Decisions to slow the depletion of energy sources through efficient technology can be made at many levels, from personal to national, and they always involve tradeoffs of economic cost and social values.Benchmarks 8C5. Human populations use resources in the environment in order to maintain and improve their existence. NSES F3a. The earth does not have infinite resources; increasing human consumption places severe stress on the natural processes that renew some resources, and it depletes those resources that cannot be renewed. NSES F3b. Humans use many natural systems as resources. Natural systems have the capacity to reuse waste, but that capacity is limited. Natural systems can change to an extent that exceeds the limits of organisms to adapt naturally or humans to adapt technologically. NSES F3c. Natural ecosystems provide and array of basic processes that affect humans. Those processes include maintenance of the quality of the atmosphere, generation of soils, control of the hydrologic cycle, disposal of wastes, and recycling of nutrients. Humans are changing many of these basic processes, and the changes may be detrimental to humans. NSES F4a. Many changes in the environment designed by humans bring benefits to society, as well as cause risks.NSES F5d. Materials from human societies affect both physical and chemical cycles of the earth. NSES F4b.
Developmental & Instructional Implications	The teacher's job is not to provide students with the "right" answers about technology but to see to it that students know what questions to ask. Benchmarks p. 56.
Examples