Project CUES: Constructing Understandings of Earth Systems

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"Constructing Understandings of Earth Systems (CUES)" is a comprehensive treatment of the Earth and Space Science Content of the National Science Education Standards for middle school students. The materials address fundamental Earth Systems content. The Earth evolves as a synergistic physical system of interrelated phenomena, processes and cycles that may be affected by human activities. To support the integration of subject matter knowledge and the nature of science, students engage in guided and student-driven inquiry and use CD-ROM or Web-based tools to gather data and promote their explorations through photographs and visualizations. Students are expected to make informed decisions about science-based personal and social issues. The topics covered include the stucture of the solar system, cycles within Earth/Space Systems, flow of matter and energy in and on Earth and in ecosystems, plate tectonics and its effects, the water cycle and weather, fossils, processes that shape the land, change, renewable resources, and resource management and sustainability. The textbook is accompanied by content video, a teacher's guide, professional development materials and a website. The variety of assessments include discovering pre-conceptions, embedded assessments, standardized tests, and open-ended questions.