CONTENT, CRAFT, AND CAREERS: AN INTEGRATED RECIPE FOR EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION

Although the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) bring Earth Science to the forefront of science education, rigorous Earth Science courses are still rare in high schools. Here, I present a framework for an upper-level Earth and Space Sciences course for seniors at Dallastown Area High School in York, PA. Curriculum and assessments are aligned with the NGSS and also integrate scientific skill and career exploration. In addition to the content, students discuss current controveries in Earth Science, read publications, write and present an interdiscplinary paper, and communicate with actual geoscientists. This framework can hopefully be used to 1) inspire high schools to develop advanced Earth Science courses and 2) prepare a more equipped generation of future scientists.