 Over millennia, the interactions of Earth's surface, interior, oceans, and atmosphere have shaped the planet we inhabit today. Understanding these driving forces from the processes that build mountains to the microscopic actions happening in soil is the subject of Earth science. A fundamental tenet of Earth science is that the present is the key to the past. The converse is also true. Earth's past provides essential clues to its present and future. Addressing relevant science questions as well as societal changes such as climate change will require a deeper understanding of Earth's processes, understanding how geology and life are intertwined, and grasping the impact of human activities over time. Moving scientific understanding forward will require a strategic approach to research. A new report written by a committee of experts identifies 12 high-priority scientific questions that should be pursued by the National Science Foundation over the next decade. The questions cover topics ranging from plate tectonics, to elements hidden within the Earth, to the water cycle and biogeochemistry, and Earth's magnetic field. They open the door to new strands of scientific discovery just waiting to be explored. Explore our free resources to learn more about the processes that drive the planet and the research needed to propel our understanding of it forward.