EARTH SCIENCE 2

402 Full Year Course: 4 Credits

FROM THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES:

EARTH SCIENCE is a physical science that looks at the underlying unity and a interrelationships of the sciences through study of the Earth and its remarkable environment. Areas of study include hydrology, geology , oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. Included with these themes is a unit on orienteering, an outdoor activity readings maps and developing compass skills. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on the acquisition of study and laboratory skills. Computers are used is 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.

EARTH SCIENCE 2 is less demanding than EARTH SCIENCE 1 but shares an emphasis on investigation, laboratory experiences, and further encourages strong student-teacher relationships through smaller classes. reading, writing, and laboratory materials are designed to meet the needs and abilities of the students. Several outdoor activities are planned to investigate the diverse environment found within the school's 80 acre property.

RATIONALE:

This course is designed to instill in a student a sense of curiosity about the physical world. Through the recognition of the inter-connectedness of the various systems at work on and within our Earth, students will gain an understanding of the Earth Sciences in their lives. it is expected that the students will be able to express their findings and ideas in both informed creative ways concerning concerning the discipline of Earth Science.

COURSE OUTLINE:

I. The Celestial Sphere: A Growing Awareness

Big Bang

Geocentrism to Heliocentrism

Copernicism to Newton: The 200 year Awakening

Nature's Nuclear Reactor: The Sun

Stellar Evolution

Doppler Effect

Atomic Spectra

II. Mapping

Latitude and Longitude

Topographic Maps and Contour scales

Circumference and Rotation

The Celestial Basis of Time

Calendars

Seasons

Reading a Compass

Orienteering Course

III. A Dynamic Sky: Energy and the Atmosphere

Origin and Structure of Atmosphere

Shells of Gas

Insolation: Energy from the Sun

Radiation Budget of Earth's Surface

Heat reservoirs: Land, Sea, and Air

Barometric Pressure: The Force Behind the Wind

Isobars and Gradients

Convection Circulation

General Circulation in Atmosphere

Deserts

IV. The Whims of Thor: Storms and Rain

The Rainy Planet

Water in the Air: Absolute and Relative humidity

Dew Point Temperature

Condensation and Precipitation

Clouds and Cloud Types

Fronts and Frontal Weather

Thunderstorms

Tornadoes, Whirlwinds, and Waterspouts

Hurricanes

V. Plate Tectonics and the Lithosphere

Early Theorists

Pangea: Wegeners Bold Synthesis and Its Prompt Dismissal

Mountain Ranges that go Nowhere

Glaciers in the Sahara, and Jungles under the Ice

Crucial Evidence

The new Global Synthesis

The Driving Forces: Gravity and Convection

VI. Earthquakes: Stress, Strain, and Structure

When Push comes to Shove: The Dynamics of Stress and Strain

Brittleness and Plasticity: The Strengths and Weaknesses of Rocks

Evidence for Continental Drift

Earthquakes and Seismic Waves

Earthquakes as Planetary probes

Locating Epicenters and Measuring Intensity

The Structure of a Continent

The Growth of Continents

Volcanoes: Types and Predictions

VII. Systems in Miniature: The Nature of Minerals

What the Universe is Made Out Of

The Heart of the Matter: Atomic nuclei

Bonding Mechanisms

Crystal Systems

Physical properties of Minerals

VIII. Earth's Brittle Shell: Rocks of the lithosphere

Rocks and Their Environment

The Rock Cycle

Igneous Rocks - Texture and Composition

Sedimentary Rocks

Organic Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks - Foliated and Non-Foliated

IX. Weathering, Soils and Mass Wasting

The Weathering Environment

Mechanical Weathering

Chemical Weathering

Soil Profile and Horizons

Mass Wasting: The Role of Gravity

X. The Work of Surface Water and Groundwater

Dynamic Fluids: The Behavior of Flowing Water

The Geometry of Streams

The Dynamics of Floodplains

The Water Table

Artesian Systems

Pumped Wells and Their Problems

Hot Springs, Geysers, and Geothermal Energy

XI. Ground water

Porosity, Permeability, Capillarity

Wells and Springs

XII. The Cold Carver: Ice on the Land

Snow, Firn and Ice: Glacial Origins

Glaciers as Systems

The Evolution of Glaciated Landscapes

The Causes of Glaciation - Global Cooling

Cycles of Glaciation

Will Yesterday be Tomorrow?

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. In a typical class a student will be exposed to two or three different methods of instruction.

LABS AND ACTIVITIES:

This course is designed to be lab and activity intensive. Laboratory investigations may include: the study of the effects of acid rain on different materials, simulating the Coriolis Effect and its influence on winds, weather forecasting, and creating stream erosion patterns. Computer simulations and databases are used in some units. Activities such as orienteering and identifying local weathering products utilize the property surrounding the school building. Labs and activities are designed to enhance the learning of difficult and often abstract topics. Through these activities, the students are able to study worldwide phenomena.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:

Each student is expected to be an active learner and to take responsibility for their education. Required work (homework, lab reports, projects, etc.) is expected to be completed on time. Participation in classroom activities is necessary to be successful.

SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED:

Throughout the year the students will be required to develop and enhance a number of science skills. Most importantly students will practice synthesizing and analyzing complex scientific phenomena. The students will then be required to express their understanding of the new material in clear and coherent written statements or in form of graphs, tables, diagrams, etc. Special emphasis is placed on developing a student's laboratory skills and their ability to work with others effectively.

The development of organizational skills will be emphasized. These are skills that are necessary for success in all academic areas but particularly so in the sciences. Note taking, organization of lab data, and time management are all needed skills to be successful in this course.

OTHER MATERIALS:

Audiovisual materials

Library materials

Prepared laboratory investigations

Computer software

USGS topographic maps

Orienteering course on school property

SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS:

Assignments will vary in length and complexity. Short nightly homework assignments may involve a reading from the textbook and questions based on that reading. Laboratory investigations will require the gathering of data, graphically presenting that data, and/or analysis of the data. Long 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

a. reading, questions, current events.

b. Weekly laboratory investigations and reports.

Projects: Minimum of one project per quarter

Testing: Tests given at the end of each unit

Periodic quizzes