Curriculum Map

Earth & Space Science

Investigate Earth's structure, weather systems, the solar system, and the universe beyond. Build scientific thinking through hands-on investigation design and real-world data analysis. TEKS §112.18 aligned.

14 Units

Early Units (Foundation)

Building Skills

Advanced Concepts

Capstone/Synthesis

The Nature of Science

Explore the scientific method, design investigations with variables and controls, and practice essential lab safety skills.

3-4 days

Matter and Energy

Investigate the states of matter, physical and chemical changes, and the forms of energy that drive everything from thunderstorms to plate tectonics.

3-4 days

Forces and Motion

Discover how forces cause objects to move, speed up, slow down, and stop, and learn the basics of Newton's laws and gravity.

3-4 days

Earth's Structure and Plate Tectonics

Explore Earth's interior layers, discover how tectonic plates move, and understand why earthquakes and volcanoes occur where they do.

4-5 days

Rocks, Minerals, and the Rock Cycle

Learn to classify minerals and rocks by their properties and formation, and trace how the rock cycle continuously reshapes Earth's crust.

3-4 days

Weathering, Erosion, and Soil

Examine how weathering breaks down rock, erosion reshapes landscapes, and soil forms as the thin living layer that supports all terrestrial life.

3-4 days

Earth's Water Systems

Trace the water cycle from ocean to atmosphere to land, and explore how oceans, rivers, and groundwater sustain life on Earth.

3-4 days

Weather and Climate

Explore the layers of the atmosphere, learn what drives weather patterns, and understand the difference between weather and climate.

4-5 days

Earth's Atmosphere and Energy

Understand how solar radiation interacts with Earth's atmosphere, what causes the greenhouse effect, and why seasons change throughout the year.

3-4 days

The Solar System

Explore the planets, moons, and other objects that orbit our sun, and discover how gravity holds the entire solar system together.

3-4 days

Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe

Discover how stars are born, live, and die, and explore the galaxies and vast cosmic distances that define our universe.

3-4 days

Earth's Resources and Sustainability

Understand the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources, and explore how humans can use Earth's materials responsibly.

3-4 days

Natural Hazards and Earth's History

Investigate how fossils and rock layers reveal Earth's ancient past, and understand the natural hazards that shape landscapes and communities.

3-4 days

Science, Technology, and Society

Explore how the engineering design process works, how science and technology shape daily life, and how society decides which problems science should solve.

3-4 days

Learning Progression

This course is designed to be taken sequentially. Earlier units establish foundational concepts that later units build upon. While you can explore units in any order, following the numbered sequence provides the most coherent learning experience.