(b) A candidate for certification as an Earth space science teacher for grades 7-12 shall have the following skills, competencies and knowledge, gained through a combination of academic and supervised practical experiences, in the following areas:
(1) In the area of fundamental content knowledge, the candidate shall have the ability to:
a. Comprehend, apply, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize knowledge of:
1. Land, atmosphere, and ocean systems, including gradual and catastrophic changes on Earth;
2. Properties, measurements, and classification of Earth materials;
3. Changes in the earth including land formation, erosion, evolution, and distribution of living things;
4. Geochemical cycles, including biotic and abiotic systems;
5. Energy flow and transformation in Earth systems and Earth as a system;
6. Hydrological features of Earth, including distribution and use of water;
7. Atmosphere, weather, and climate;
8. Origin, evolution, and planetary behaviors of Earth;
9. Origin, evolution, properties, and behaviors of the universe, including energy and matter and structures and functions;
10. Fundamentals of investigating and interrelating Earth space sciences as systems including geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy;
11. Sources and limits of natural resources;
12. Applications of Earth space sciences relating to environmental quality and to personal and community health and welfare;
13. Applications of Earth space sciences relating to society, business, industry, and health fields; and
14. Dating of Earth and other objects in the universe;
b. Apply knowledge of Earth space sciences through full and partial inquiries, field experiences, laboratory investigations, and the use of scientific models;
c. Design and conduct scientific research in Earth space sciences;
d. Apply mathematical and statistical concepts, at least through the level of college calculus and statistics;
e. Explain and solve problems in the fundamentals of chemistry and physics equivalent to those taught in introductory college chemistry and college physics courses, including basic concepts and laboratory techniques;
f. Examine concepts in Earth space sciences, including evolution, ecology, population dynamics, and flow of energy and matter through Earth systems; and
g. Explain historical development and perspective in Earth space sciences, including contributions of significant figures and underrepresented groups, and the evolution of theories in Earth space sciences; and
(2) In the area of instructional performance, the candidate shall have the ability to:
a. Design and teach laboratory activities which incorporate scientific processes, promote scientific habits of mind, and meet needs of diverse learners;
b. Design activities and investigations which teach literacy through integrating:
1. The knowledge of the methods of teaching reading, writing, communication, and study skills essential to the effective mastery of middle school science content;
2. The use of scientific drawings, diagrams, bulleted lists, and graphing essential to science investigations and expression of ideas; and
3. Appropriate quantitative literacy skills and concepts into a science lesson;
c. Demonstrate connections among all sciences and understand the role of Earth space science systems in science literacy;
d. Relate Earth space sciences to technological issues that influence society and the ethical and moral consequences of decisions related to those issues;
e. Model and teach safe laboratory and field practices, including:
1. Personal safety;
2. Equipment storage and upkeep;
3. Safe and ethical handling of animals and other organisms; and
4. Chemistry and waste inventory, handling, and disposal
f. Integrate the common themes exhibited in all of the sciences into teaching and course design including:
1. Systems and energy;
2. Models and scale;
3. Patterns of change, including constancy or stability;
4. Form and function;
5. Evolution; and
6. Nature of science and inquiry;
g. Integrate knowledge from the history and philosophy of science into Earth space sciences instruction;
h. Design learning activities which foster questioning, open-ended investigations, the development of cooperative group skills, and promote practice in decision making and problem solving;
i. Select, adapt, evaluate, and use age-appropriate strategies and materials for the learning of Earth space sciences, including the recommendations of national curriculum projects and scientific groups; and
j. Organize, present, and evaluate Earth space sciences ideas in a manner which emphasizes conceptual understanding and in ways which provide for optimal learning experiences for students of all ability levels and learning styles.