The Center for Earth System Education mission at Kean University is to encourage, support, and promote earth system
education at all levels. The earth system, comprised of both natural and human components, constitutes our world and
determines the nature of our interactions and impacts on it and its impacts upon us every day.

To earth scientists, learners, and teachers these components include the land (or lithosphere), the water (or hydrosphere),
and the air (or atmosphere). These are all interactive and dependent upon one another and with the biosphere. The
biosphere includes plants, animals, and human populations worldwide. All are ultimately governed by the Earth's
astronomical behaviors.

These components must be understood in terms of their properties, behaviors, processes, and interactions; particularly
with people. To accomplish this, scientists must observe, diagnose, and model each component of the system so that
impacts may be avoided, mitigated, or prevented. This suggests that everyone must know about the full geosphere, care
about its impacts, and be prepared to act. The best manner to achieve this synthesis is through Earth System Education.

Using relevant pedagogy and select teaching methods, as well as careful use of technology, teachers may help students
truly understand the science that affects them everyday.