Although this program will never answer all the questions, NASA realizesthat understanding the planet will not happen by examining pieces one at a time; it will take teams of biologists, physicists, chemists, and geologistsworking together to fully understand Earth as a system. Earth Science, inshort, must be an interdisciplinary challenge. The scope of Earth Science is sometimes limited to the study of geology and some closely allied fields,such as oceanography. The Mission to Planet Earth calls for an interdiscipli-nary approach including biology, chemistry, and physics.

A Guide to Teaching Earth System Science Introduction Earth as a System This leads to why NASA initiateda the development of “Our Mission toPlanet Earth: A Guide to Teaching Earth System Science.” The children inyour classrooms today could become the scientists of tomorrow who willanalyze the data streaming back to Earth via satellite communications.NASA will look to their generation for talent. Consequently, children’sexposure to the concept of Earth as a system cannot begin too early. Even ifyour students do not pursue careers in Earth Science, they must understandEarth System Science. They could face the challenge of trying to adapt toglobal climate change