MSP Toolbox / Materials

MiTEP List of Common Geoscience Misconceptions

Description

The Michigan Teacher Excellence Program (MiTEP) has developed a list of common geoscience misconceptions organized by the Earth Science Literacy Principles. Along with the list of misconceptions, MiTEP shares here a tool used to help teachers learn to identify and probe misconceptions, and how to guide students in reconstructing their knowledge.

The misconceptions are grouped under the following Seven Big Ideas:

1. Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet.
2. Earth is 4.6 billion years old.
3. Earth is a complex system of interacting rock, water, air, and life.
4. Earth is continuously changing.
5. Earth is a water planet.
6. Life evolves on a dynamic Earth and continuously modifies Earth.
7. Humans depend on Earth for resources.