If we intend to live on — and with — this planet, we truly need to understand
how it works, and to understand the interactions of the many components
that make up the Earth. The Earth sciences provide an integrated and
interdisciplinary approach to a true understanding of our planet. Earth
science includes and applies knowledge from biology, chemistry, physics,
ecology, and mathematics to tackle complex interdisciplinary issues.
Earth science education also improves critical thinking skills. It
offers a historical perspective and improves our ability to predict
future events. To understand Earth processes that affect us
now and tomorrow, geoscientists look for evidence of what
happened in the past. This connects students to the
past, as well as challenging them to think about the
future.