Question: how broad is our definition of the atmosphere; are we taking a broader Earth System approach? Answer: Yes, an Earth System approach
Facilitator comment: Let's take out our Ocean Literacy brochure and look at their overarching principals for a guide.
Here's a few from it: life affects and shapes climate; sun is a primary forcing of the ocean system; Earth's wx and climate vary over time and place...
Comment: we haven't said much about causes of climate or the Earth system. We need to add energy, the sun.
Comment: Let's separate out energy and compositional changes and list them both as EP.
Comment: The bolded comment in the list of objectives of Ocean Literacy document is limiting - emphasis on human component should be a part but not the driving principal.
Part 2: Refining our Prior Comments and EPs
Comment: Let's start with Earth as a system and bring in the human element as an EP as one important principal.
Discussion: We have to start with the atmosphere before we talk about changing the climate. Is climate a component of the atmosphere or vice versa?
Comment: We need to define climate as in the difference between wx and climate. Perhaps this concept needs to incorporate temporal and spatial scales.
Comment: I'd like to go back to the orgin of the atmosphere and add "the evolution of..."
Question: Where does wx fit in? Answer: In patterns and processes
Comment: We haven't talked about water and the water cycle. Response: It will fit in under fundamental concepts.
Comment: We're talking about the sky. Everybody knows that word. "Ocean" everybody knows.
Response: "Air" maybe, but not "sky" because "sky" could also include space.
Comment: We're wordsmithing. We need to trust that educators will use developmentally appropriate language for/with their students.
1. The atmosphere is part of the Earth System
2. What is the atmosphere? (needs to be wordsmithed). An atmosphere is the gaseous envelope that surrounds planets.
3. The atmosphere changes through space and time.
4. Atmospheric processes occur/vary on many scales.
5. Humans and the atmosphere are interconnected.
6. How do we study the atmosphere?
7. Solar energy drives atmospheric processes.
Discussion: Where does the sun and energy come in? #7
Discussion: Difference between wx and climate will need to be incorporated in #4.