Affecting Earth's Systems at Home and School

Which of Earth’s systems do you interact with when you wash your hands?

• biosphere

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

Which of Earth’s systems is polluted by exhaust gases from buses pollute?

• biosphere

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

Why is it important to dispose of electronic devices properly?

• They decompose very quickly.

• They are made only of materials that cannot be recycled.

• They contain materials that are toxic.

• They release acidic gases into the air.

Where do people interact with all four of Earth’s systems?

• at school

• at their home

• in the cafeteria

• all of the above

It’s a sunny day, so Grant and his family decide to have a picnic at a park. They pack a paper bag with sandwiches and fruit salad and then drive to the park. They play catch with their dog, Bruno, who gets his paws covered in mud from kicking up the grass. Luckily, there is a water hose nearby that Grant uses to wash off Bruno’s feet. After, Grant and his family clean up their lunch and drive home.

What is one way that Grant and his family interact with the geosphere?

• When Bruno kicks up the mud

• Playing catch with Bruno

• Driving home

• Washing off Bruno's paws

What is one way that Grant and his family interact with the hydrosphere?

• When Bruno kicks up the mud

• Driving home

• Washing off Bruno's paws

• Playing catch with Bruno

What is one way that Grant and his family interact with the atmosphere?

• Eating a picnic on the grass

• When Bruno kicks up the mud

• From the exhaust from the car

• Washing the mud off of Bruno

What is one way that Grant and his family interact with the biosphere?

• When they play catch with Bruno

• The sandwiches they eat are made from items in the biosphere

• When the family drives to the park

• When the family is ready to leave, they throw their trash away

When you throw away trash, it is taken to the landfill where it can decompose, or break into smaller pieces. Which of the following items is likely to take a long time to decompose?

• tree leaves

• food scraps

• paper towels

• plastic bottles

Cassie rides her electric scooter every day after school. Then, she plugs it in to re-charge the batteries. She knows this activity can affect several of Earth’s systems. Which of the following describes how this activity affects the geosphere?

• Smoke from the scooter pollutes the air as she rides.

• Roads and sidewalks where she rides pass through animal habitats.

• Electricity used to recharge the scooter comes from using fossil fuels.

• Batteries in the scooter use toxic chemicals that can pollute air and water.