Origins: How are scientists figuring out how the Earth formed, and how life began on it?

Some of the most cutting edge science of our time is attempting to uncover the origins of the Earth and life on it.

The PBS TV show NOVA did a 4 part series about this research.



In class we watched "The Earth is Born" and "How Life Began."

You can watch some clips on the NOVA/Origins website at

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/

If you need to make up the assignment you can read the transcripts of the programs at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/3111_origins.html .



What do you think about the ideas in these shows? Are there better explanations of how the Earth came to be? How do you think life began? What evidence do you base your beliefs on? Is evidence important when considering such questions?