Big Ideas: Activities

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Big Ideas videos bring to life the “big ideas” of Earth science - the nine core concepts that everyone should know. Teachers can use the videos in many ways. For example:

• Use "Why Earth Science?" to introduce the importance of Earth science to your students, their parents and guardians, and your school's guidance counselor.

• Show each of the nine Big Ideas videos either as an introduction to or a summary of activities relating to that Big Idea.

• Build assessments around the supporting concepts in the Big Ideas videos.

• Have your students create their own learning materials for younger age groups based on the videos.

For activities to help your students build understanding of each core concept, click on any of these nine Big Ideas:

• Big Idea 1: Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet.

• Big Idea 2: Earth is 4.6 billion years old.

• Big Idea 3: Earth is a complex system of interacting rock, water, air, and life.

• Big Idea 4: Earth is continuously changing.

• Big Idea 5: Earth is the water planet.

• Big Idea 6: Life evolves on a dynamic Earth and continuously modifies Earth.

• Big Idea 7: Humans depend on Earth for resources.

• Big Idea 8: Natural hazards pose risks to humans.

• Big Idea 9: Humans significantly alter the Earth.

For more detailed information supporting each video, visit Earth Science Literacy Principles. The Earth Science Literacy Initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation, has codified these underlying understandings of Earth science which form the basis of the Big Ideas videos.

The Big Ideas DVD is included in the Earth Science Week 2011 Toolkit. To view the Big Ideas videos online, please see YouTube or TeacherTube.

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