The National Science Education Standards clearly communicate that by the end of 8th grade, U.S. students are expected to have an understanding of the structure of the earth, lithospheric plates, and the theory of continental drift (plate tectonics).

As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop understanding of:

Structure of the Earth System

  • The solid earth is layered with a lithosphere; hot, convecting mantle; and dense, metallic core.
  • Lithospheric plates on the scales of continents and oceans constantly move at rates of centimeters per year in response to movements in the mantle. Major geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building, result from these plate motions.

Earth’s History

  • The earth processes we see today, including erosion, movement of lithospheric plates, and changes in atmospheric composition, are similar to those that occurred in the past. Earth history is also influenced by occasional catastrophes, such as the impact of an asteroid or comet.

    • As a science educator, I take these things seriously, so, imagine my shock when I saw a video of Rep Joe Barton (R-TX) and Dr. Steven Chu (physicist, Nobel Laureate, former director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and current U.S. Secretary of Energy).  Rep Barton’s office posted this video of Joe “stumping” Dr. Chu on a simple question (04/22/09).

    Holy cow fart!  The Secretary of Energy got stumped on a question about where the oil in Alaska comes from!  What a moron!  Oh, wait, perhaps the Nobel Laureate, a person who normally works with really smart people™ was surprised that a United States Congressman asked him a question basic to that Congressman’s oversight and creation of energy policy.  Perhaps the former director of the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory and expert on alternative energy, thought he was testifying at a Congressional energy committee hearing, not an 8th grade science classroom?

    Rep Barton, your ignorance is appalling.  Watching you revel in your ignorance disgusts me. Watching your smug #!@ make a fool of yourself - priceless.  Our country deserves better leaders.

    Yes, Rep Barton, it just drifted there.  You might want to watch these two videos before your next committee hearing (Thanks Slick for sending these to me).