The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) describes the curriculum framework for Earth and Space Science Courses in PA. Visit the PDE website for more information about the Big Ideas

• The Earth is composed of a number of dynamic interacting systems which exchange matter and/or energy.

• The Earth’s interior has structure.

• Earth’s surface features and atmosphere are a dynamic system operating over different time periods.

• The hydrosphere contains all of the water on Earth.

• The Earth is part of a solar system.

• Stars have life cycles.