National Evaluation Series™ Profile: Earth and Space Science (825)

Descriptive Statements:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the cycling of elements (e.g., carbon, nitrogen) through Earth's geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, as well as factors that affect the movement of those elements through each cycle.
• Demonstrate knowledge of key renewable and nonrenewable natural resources (e.g., soil, wood, minerals), their distribution as a result of natural processes, and how these resources have influenced human activity.
• Apply knowledge of the extraction, transport, and use of nonrenewable natural resources (e.g., precious metals, minerals, ores, fossil fuels) and of the effects of these processes on local, regional, and global environments.
• Evaluate renewable (e.g., wind, solar) and nonrenewable (e.g., fossil fuels, nuclear) sources of energy.
• Apply knowledge of the relationship of the management of natural resources and energy sources to biodiversity; economic, social, and environmental cost-benefit ratios; and the sustainability of human populations.
• Evaluate strategies for managing natural resources and energy sources effectively (e.g., conservation, recycling) and for minimizing negative impacts of developing and using these resources.
• Apply knowledge of the use of science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content related to geochemical cycles, natural resources, and sources of energy, such as developing and using models, planning and safely conducting investigations, applying mathematical concepts, and communicating and evaluating data and conclusions.

Sample Item:

Descriptive Statements:

• Identify the types and characteristics of climatic fluctuations (e.g., El Niño-Southern Oscillation), natural hazards, and catastrophic events (e.g., earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes).
• Analyze the effects of natural hazards on human populations and societies (e.g., mortality, displacement of people, property damage, short- and long-term social disruption).
• Demonstrate knowledge of methods and technologies (e.g., strainmeters, Global Positioning System and weather satellites) used to forecast the location and likelihood of future natural hazards and catastrophic events.
• Demonstrate knowledge of factors (e.g., release of carbon dioxide, volcanic gases) that have resulted in atmospheric and climate changes and the use of global and regional climate models to forecast climate change.
• Apply knowledge of the use of science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content related to natural and human-influenced hazards, their impacts on human populations, and strategies for mitigating their effects, such as developing and using models, planning and safely conducting investigations, applying mathematical concepts, and communicating and evaluating data and conclusions.

Sample Item:

Descriptive Statements:

• Analyze how human population sizes and consumption levels vary regionally and differentially affect Earth systems.
• Apply knowledge of how human activities and technologies can mitigate the impact on the environment of increases in human population and per capita consumption of natural resources.
• Analyze how human activities affect the lithosphere (e.g., erosion, fracking, pollution from mining) and strategies for monitoring, limiting, and mitigating these effects.
• Analyze how human activities affect the hydrosphere (e.g., water pollution, depletion of aquifers, destruction of wetlands) and strategies for monitoring, limiting, and mitigating these effects.
• Analyze how human activities affect the atmosphere (e.g., release of greenhouse gases, aerosols, soot, acid precipitation) and strategies for monitoring, limiting, and mitigating these effects.
• Apply knowledge of global climate change to determine potential future impacts to Earth systems and strategies for slowing climate change and mitigating its effects.
• Analyze how human activities affect the biosphere (e.g., loss of biodiversity, introduction of invasive species, changes in land use, degradation of air and water, ocean acidification) and strategies for monitoring, limiting, and mitigating these effects.
• Analyze how changes in one Earth system due to human activities may induce changes in other Earth systems (e.g., reduced albedo from atmospheric black carbon particles leads to a loss of sea ice, more open water, and increased atmospheric water vapor).
• Analyze strategies for limiting or mitigating the effects of catastrophic events on human communities.
• Apply knowledge of the use of science and engineering practices in exploring and understanding content related to the effects of human activities on Earth systems and strategies for mitigating their effects, such as developing and using models, planning and safely conducting investigations, applying mathematical concepts, and communicating and evaluating data and conclusions.