Earth's Spheres and Matter Cycles
Earth is not one system — it is four spheres exchanging matter and energy, and humans are part of the exchange.
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Venture In
Wero
Observe
Kite
Infer
Whakaaro
Create
Auaha
Evaluate
Tohu
Evidence you will build
- Annotated sphere interaction diagram
- Matter cycle model (carbon + water)
- Polar vs tropical comparison
- Human-impact analysis
Why this matters
Sphere interactions and matter cycles underpin kaitiakitanga — communities need models that connect whenua, moana, air, and living systems.
What you will investigate and collect
You will model sphere interactions, trace matter cycles, and analyse human impacts with systems evidence. How matter and energy move between atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Annotated diagrams, cycle models, regional comparisons, impact analysis notes.
- Sphere or pool
- Process or flux
- Human impact note
What you might make or share
- Sensor mount3D print
Hold a probe at a fixed depth or position match your strongest evidence spots
If readings shift with probe position, fixing the geometry makes patterns interpretable.
What you will investigate
You will model sphere interactions, trace matter cycles, and analyse human impacts with systems evidence.
What you will collect
Sphere or pool, Process or flux
What you might make or share
A sphere interaction poster, a carbon+water cycle model