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Environmental Content Standards

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Environmental content standards exist to support teachers deciding about the scope and sequence of their instruction. The standards for some major areas of environmental content were developed by leading scientists and educators. Browse the big ideas of the content areas, but for detailed outlines, please visit each topic's respective website.

Ocean Education Content Standards

  • The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
  • The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth.
  • The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
  • The ocean makes Earth habitable.
  • The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
  • The ocean and humans are inextricably connected.
  • The ocean is largely unexplored.
     

Learn more about the Ocean Literacy Standards.


Climate Education Content Standards

  • The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system.
  • Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system.
  • Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate.
  • Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made processes.
  • Our understanding of the climate system is improved through observations, theoretical studies, and modeling.
  • Human activities are impacting the climate system.
  • Climate change will have consequences for the Earth system and human lives.

 

Learn more about the Climate Literacy Standards.


Earth Science Education Content Standards

  • Earth is 4.6 billion years old and the rock record contains its history.
  • Earth is a complex system of interactions between rock, water, air and life.
  • Earth is a continuously changing planet.
  • Earth is the water planet.
  • Life evolves on a dynamic Earth and continuously modifies Earth.
  • Humans Depend on Earth for Resources.
  • Earth science reduces the impacts of natural hazards.
  • Humans have become a significant agent of change on Earth.
     

Learn more about the Earth Science Literacy Standards.


Atmospheric Education Content Standards

  • Earth has a thin atmosphere that sustains life.
  • Energy from the Sun drives atmospheric processes.
  • Atmospheric circulations transport matter and energy.
  • Earth’s atmosphere changes over time and space, giving rise to weather and climate.
  • The earth’s atmosphere continuously interacts with the other components of the Earth system.
  • Earth’s atmosphere and humans are inextricably linked
  • We seek to understand the past, present, and future behavior of Earth’s atmosphere through scientific observation and reasoning.
     

Learn more about the Atmospheric Science Literacy Standards.