“Chemistry in The Earth System” is a laboratory-based college-preparatory course. As part of the three course model, and originating from “A Framework for K-12 Science Education” and “Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)” (see Background Information below), there is integration of some topics traditionally taught as Earth Science and Physics.

This course explains how chemical processes help drive the Earth system. The course is sequenced based on a specific storyline about climate change. As such, the course will focus on both physical science and earth science disciplinary core ideas (DCI). The course also emphasizes the continued development of the Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) and Cross Cutting Concepts (CCC).

Each of the six instructional segments (IS) includes a bundle of NGSS performance expectations (PE) from these two disciplinary core ideas. Each of the instructional segments is centered on questions about observations of a specific phenomenon.

Upon completion of the course students will have explored the fundamentals of chemistry and essential roles that these processes play in Earth’s solid geosphere, its liquid hydrosphere, and its gaseous atmosphere.

This course meets the LAUSD graduation requirement of one year of physical science, and meets one year of the University of California ‘d’ entrance requirement for laboratory science.