Course Description
It is a one-semester course. Topics of study will include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, rocks, minerals, weather, & erosion, natural resources, and geologic history.
Prerequisite: A- or higher in Biology (0223), C- or higher in CP Biology (0222) or Honors
Core Curriculum Content Standards
Sci & Tech - Earth and Space Sciences (2009-2012)
Earth Structure, Processes and Cycles
GRADE 10
- Relate plate tectonics to both slow and rapid changes in the earth’s surface. Describe the rock cycle and the processes that are responsible for the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Relate geochemical cycles to the conservation of matter. Explain how the Earth is composed of a number of dynamic, interacting systems exchanging energy or matter.(3.3.10.A1)
- Analyze the effects on the environment and the carbon cycle of using both renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy.(3.3.10.A2)
- Explain how the evolution of Earth has been driven by interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.(3.3.10.A3)
- Relate geochemical cycles to conservation of matter. Explain how the Earth’s systems and its various cycles are driven by energy.(3.3.10.A4)
- Explain how there is only one ocean. Explain the processes of the hydrologic cycle. Explain the dynamics of oceanic currents and their relationship to global circulation within the marine environment.(3.3.10.A5)
- Interpret meteorological data to describe and/or predict weather. Explain the phenomena that cause global atmospheric processes such as storms, currents, and wind patterns.(3.3.10.A6)
- SCALE/MODELS Interpret and create models of the Earth’s physical features in various mapping representations. CONSTANCY AND CHANGE Relate constancy and change to the hydrologic and geochemical cycles. SCALE Apply an appropriate scale to illustrate major events throughout geologic time. CONSTANCY/CHANGE Describe factors that contribute to global climate change.(3.3.10.A7)
- -Compare and contrast scientific theories. -Know that both direct and indirect observations are used by scientists to study the natural world and universe. -Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. -Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence. -Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models. -Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in making valid measurements.(3.3.10.A8)
GRADE 12
- Explain how parts are related to other parts in weather systems, solar systems, and earth systems, including how the output from one part can become an input to another part. Analyze the processes that cause the movement of material in the Earth’s systems. Classify Earth’s internal and external sources of energy such as radioactive decay, gravity, and solar energy(3.3.12.A1)
- Describe the absolute and relative dating methods used to measure geologic time, such as index fossils, radioactive dating, law of superposition, and crosscutting relationships.(3.3.12.A3)
- Classify Earth’s internal and external sources of energy such as radioactive decay, gravity, and solar energy. Relate the transfer of energy through radiation, conduction, and convection to global atmospheric processes.(3.3.12.A4)
Science, Technology & Engineering, and Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (2023)
Life Science
Grades 9-12
- Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.(3.1.9-12.K)
- Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.(3.1.9-12.N)
- Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.(3.1.9-12.S)
Physical Science
Grades 9-12
- Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.(3.2.9-12.A)
- Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.(3.2.9-12.H)
- Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.(3.2.9-12.T)
- Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind the idea that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by a wave model or a particle model and that for some situations one model is more useful than the other.(3.2.9-12.V)
Earth and Space Science
Grades 9-12
- Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate.(3.3.9-12.E)
- Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.(3.3.9-12.F)
- Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth’s formation and early history.(3.3.9-12.G)
- Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth's surface can create feedback that causes changes to other Earth systems.(3.3.9-12.H)
- Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.(3.3.9-12.I)
- Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.(3.3.9-12.J)
- Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.(3.3.9-12.K)
- Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.(3.3.9-12.L)
- Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.(3.3.9-12.M)
- Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.(3.3.9-12.S)
- Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth’s systems and life on Earth.(3.3.9-12.N)
- Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.(3.3.9-12.O)
- Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.(3.3.9-12.P)
- Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.(3.3.9-12.Q)
- Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces the impact of human activities on natural systems.(3.3.9-12.R)
Units
Unit #1 - Topographic Maps
Unit #2 - Plate Tectonics
Unit #3 - Volcanoes
Unit #4 - Earthquakes
Unit #5 - Minenerology
Unit #6 - Petrology
Unit #7 - Earth's Resources (optional)
Unit #8 - Geologic History
Unit #9 - Hydrogeology
Unit #10 - Humans and Earth Science (optional)
Course Resources
Sager, Robert J, et al. Modern Earth Science. Austin Tex., Holt, Rinehart And Winston, 2002.
Layered Earth: Geology
Science News: Magazine of the Society for Science.
Vocabulary tools like Quizlet
Review game platforms such as Blooket, Kahoot, Gimkit, Quizizz, Quizlet Live
www.sciencenews.org
https://www.youtube.com/@SciShow
https://www.scientificamerican.com/
https://www.vernier.com/
