The middle school earth science course is designed to give all students an overview of common strands in earth science including, but not limited to, meteorology, geology, astronomy, oceanography, resources, and human impact on the earth.  Sixth-grade students observe and explain how an aspect of weather can affect a weather system.  They use different models to represent systems such as the solar system and the sun/moon/earth system.  They use what they observe about the earth’s materials to infer the processes and timelines that formed them.  Sixth graders write instructions, describe observations, keep and analyze the data they collect and show information in graphical form.  When analyzing the data they collect, sixth graders can recognize relationships in simple charts and graphs and find more than one way to interpret their findings.  The students replicate investigations and compare results to find similarities and differences.