ACCELERATED EARTH SCIENCE
Revised 1998 by Anita Honkonen and Bella Wong
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Accelerated Earth Science will include a firm integration of chemistry and physics within the context of earth science. It is expected that students will attain a sophisticated level of understanding of these concepts. Students enrolled in this course must be capable of strong abstract reasoning and have excellent math skills. These students must also be comfortable with and enjoy the manipulation of data and its analysis. The course will be extremely demanding of a ninth grader. It is essential for the student to be a self-motivated worker and have developed and exhibited good study skills prior to entering the course.
Any student wishing to take this course must have successfully completed Algebra 1, receive an acceptable score on a placement test, have the recommendation of their science teacher, and complete an application available from the science department.
Earth Science is a physical science that looks at the underlying unity and interrelationship of the sciences through study of the earth and environments. Areas of study include hydrology, geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy, and a unit on orienteering, an outdoor activity using map and compass skills. Computers are used in some areas for simulations and data analysis. Environmental issues are examined throughout the year, along with discussions of the social and ethical problems created by the advancement of the physical sciences.
RATIONALE:
This course is designed to challenge students that intend to pursue science or related fields of study in college. It encourages students to have a curiosity about the physical world and to examine the relationships between the various systems at work on and within the Earth.
COURSE OUTLINE:
I. Introduction
The scientific method
General introduction to Earth Science fields
II. Astronomy
Sizes, distances, and scales
Solar system
Constellations
Life cycles of stars
Spectral analysis
III. Chemistry
Periodic Table Trends
Basic atomic structure
Ionic and covalent bonding
Descriptive Chemistry
IV. Minerals
Modes of formation
Mineral families
Properties and methods of identification
Uses
Gemstones
V. Rocks
Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic:
formation
identification
uses
VI. Density and Energy
Kinetic Energy and Phase Changes
Density calculation
Density relationships
Modes of energy transfer
Sources of energy
VII. Plate Tectonics
Continental drift vs. plate tectonics
Plate boundary activity
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Mountain formation
VIII. Weathering
Physical and chemical weathering
Physical v Chemical Change
Acid rain
Buffers
Soils
IX. Glaciers
Ice ages
Alpine and continental glaciers
Erosion and depositional features
Glacial activity in the Sudbury area
X. Surface and Ground Water
Water budgets
Stream development
Calculation of stream flow values
Soil porosity, permeability, and capillary water
Ground water pollution
Artesian wells
Thermal springs and geysers
XI. Weather
Heating amd Cooling Curves
Structure of the atmosphere
Composition of the atmosphere
Atmospheric moisture
Air pressure
Winds
Air masses and fronts
Weather maps and forecasting
Violent storms
XII. Climate
Factors that influence climate
Greenhouse Effect
Ozone depletion
El Nino
METHODS:
This course is a designed to expose the students to the topics that compose Earth Science using a variety of methods. For example in a unit students may be presented information in a lecture format, be involved in small group activities, conduct laboratory investigations, or conduct individual research. Depending on the subject, each unit will vary in the amount of each activity. Students will be expected to actively participate in each class.
LABS AND ACTIVITIES:
This course is designed to be lab and activity intensive. These investigations are utilized to enhance the learning of the often difficult and abstract principles associated with the Earth Science fields. Formal laboratory activities such as investigating chemical weathering rates and acid rain are combined with activities such as modeling the solar system and measuring flow rates of the Sudbury River to study a variety of topics.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students are expected to actively participate in class and be responsible for their learning. Homework and/or completion of work begun in class can be expected most nights between each class meeting. Students who experience difficulties should take the initiative to seek out help from the teacher during mutual free time.
SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED:
A number of skills, applicable to any science course, will be emphasized throughout this course. The ability to synthesize into clear and coherent thoughts, information from materials used both in and out of the classroom is critical. Students will work on demonstrating a proficiency in laboratory skills as well data presentation. Students will be encouraged to develop the ability to work in a cooperative way with others in laboratory settings as well as in class.
TEXTBOOK:
Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science
OTHER MATERIALS:
SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments will vary in length and complexity. Nightly homework assignments may involve a reading from the textbook and questions based on that reading. The students will be expected to know the material from these readings even if it is not covered specifically in class. Laboratory investigations will require the gathering of data, graphically presenting that data, and analysis of the data. Longer term projects involving research to be conducted outside the classroom will be assigned each quarter. These projects may be completed by a written report, a poster presentation, HyperCard presentation, etc.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS:
The evaluation of students is based on the following:
Assignments: Regular homework given most nights
Projects: Minimum of one project per quarter
Testing: Tests given at the end of each unit
Periodic quizzes