Earth System Science: What is it?

Since World War II, the explosion in scientific knowledge naturally led many scientists and educators, to specialize in one discipline or another. Even within a scientific discipline, such as ecology, now called environmental studies, there were many specializations. Some include water ecology, habitat studies, population studies, etc. After a half century, the over-emphasis on specialization became so pronounced, that many believed that integration among various scientific disciplines must be established anew.

This integration is most pronounced in the scientific disciplines representing any part of studies of the Earth, namely Geology, hydrology, meteorology, biology and others. A new integrated Earth Science discipline, referred to as Earth System Science, was created. The push for this integration with Earth Science was promoted most actively by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA).

In most scientific and education quarters, it is now recognized that people can understand how the Earth works and how we interact with the Earth, if we teach the subject in a more project based manner. Earth Science teachers are encouraged to include all the systems of the Earth in their classes. If Earth Science teachers have a greater understanding of the various spheres of the living and nonliving parts of the Earth as a system, they can effectively explain and teach Earth System Science.

To encourage you to have a basic understanding of the Earth System Science as a scientific discipline, I have included an Earth System Science WebSlide.

Discovering Cool Pics & Podcasts

Sometimes you just want to see what the scientists are seeing. It seems to make their research come alive. People seem to be very curious about new ideas, discoveries and happenings in science.

What are they doing?
What are they seeing?
What are they discovering?
What are they planning in the future?

These questions and more can be answered if you sign up to receive updates from NSF, the National Science Foundation. Parents, teachers, and those who love science will all love this website. There are explanations in simple terms, and there are also the scientific research reports that delve into the science minutia of the research.

This podcast webpage is part of the National Science Foundation website where you can listen to science podcasts. There are also thousands of really fantastic images sent in from researchers all around Earth.

You can also download an rss feed.

clipped from www.nsf.gov "Eye Screen" -- The Discovery Files Play Audio The Discovery Files podcast is available through iTunes or you can add the RSS feed to your podcast receiver. University of Washington engineers have for the first time, combined a flexible, biologically safe contact lens with an imprinted electronic circuit and lights. Credit: NSF/Clear Channel Communications/Karson Productions Audio Transcript: I'm Bob Karson with the Discovery Files -- new advances in science and engineering from the National Science Foundation. If the eyes are windows to the soul, the contact lens may become the TV screen. Using a complex microfabrication technique, University of Washington researchers have come up with a way to imprint tiny circuit boards and LEDs directly on a flexible contact lens. "The Discovery Files" covers projects funded by the government's National Science Foundation. Federally sponsored research -- brought to you, by you! Learn more at nsf.gov or on our podcast.