Earth and Space Science Curriculum Course Description Earth and Space Science 1 State # 3044 Grades offered: 10-12 Credits: A two credit course Prerequisite: none Counts as a Science Course for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas Earth and Space Science I is a course focused on the following core topics: study of the earth s layers and composition; atmosphere; hydrosphere; structure and scale of the universe; the solar system; and earth processes. Students analyze and describe Earth s interconnected systems and examine how Earth s materials, landforms, and continents are modified across geological time. Instruction should focus on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures. Course Objectives and Standards - Describe the age, origin and evolution of the universe. (ES.1.1) - Describe the size and organization of stars and galaxies found within the universe. (ES.1.2, ES.1.3, ES.1.4) - Describe the age, origin and evolution of our solar system and describe the characteristics of objects in the solar system. (ES.2.1, ES.2.2, ES.2.3) - Recognize the role of gravity and other forces in determining the motion of bodies in the solar system. (ES.2.4) - Recognize and describe that earth sciences address planet-wide interacting systems (e.g., the oceans, the air, solid ground, and life on Earth) and interactions with the solar system. (ES.3.1, ES.3.2, ES. 3.3) - Examine the interrelationships between society and the planet-wide interacting systems and understand the basic physical and chemical laws that control these interactions. (ES.3.4) - Understand the structure and circulation of Earth s atmosphere and hydrosphere and explain how natural and human factors may interact with these processes. (ES.4.1, ES.4.2) - Understand that both weather and climate involve the transfer of matter and energy throughout the atmosphere and hydrosphere, driven by solar energy and gravity. (ES.4.3, ES.4.4, ES.4.5, ES.4.6) - Understand the structural and compositional layers of the earth, its magnetic field, and how this knowledge is based on data from direct and indirect observation. (ES.5.1, ES.5.2, ES.5.3, ES.5.4. ES.5.5)
- Understand how the processes of rock formation, weathering, sedimentation, and reformation continually shape the surface of the Earth. (ES.5.6, ES.5.7) - Understand the cyclical nature of processes that modify the Earth and how humans interact with these cycles. (ES.6.1, ES.6.2, ES.6.3) - Understand the role of plate tectonics in controlling the large scale structure of Earth s surface. Understand how the dynamic Earth impacts human society. (ES.6.4, ES.6.5) Instructional Units and Indiana State Academic Standards 1. Geology and Hydrology (ES.6.1 ES.6.5; ES.5.1 ES.5.7; ES.3.1 ES.3.4) 2. Meteorology (ES.4.1 ES.4.6; ES.3.1 ES.3.4) 3. Oceanography (ES.3.1, ES.6.3, ES.6.2, ES.5.6, ES.5.7) 4. Astronomy (ES.1.1 ES.1.4; ES.2.1 ES.2.4; ES.4.5) Course Assessments All grades will be based upon a combination of assessments including mixed-style testing, quizzes, homework assignments, participation, in-class/paper-based reviews, labs and reports. Student grades will be based upon total points earned for each of the four nine-weeks grading periods. The standard grade scale found in the Student Handbook will apply. Course Timeline Timeline may shift periodically based on student understanding, inclement weather, or any other unforeseen circumstances. SEMESTER 1 First Nine Weeks (Geology: Earth s Composition and Processes) Week 1 Introduction to Earth Science Latin Roots Our Unique Earth Week 2 Introduction to Earth Science The Scientific Process Lab Safety Graphing Practice Week 3 Mapping Earth s Surface Locating Methods The Global Grid Week 4 Mapping Earth s Surface Topographic Maps
Week 5 Earth s Chemistry Matter Atoms Molecules Week 6 Minerals Classification Uses Week 7 Rocks Week 8 Rocks Week 9 Rocks Classification Rock Cycle Igneous Sedimentary Metamorphic Identification Geologic Maps Second Nine Weeks Grading Period (Geology: History, Plate Tectonics) Week 10 Resources and Energy Mining Non-renewable Resources Week 11 Resources and Energy Renewable Energy Conservation Week 12 History of Earth Relative Dating Radiometric Dating Week 13 History of Earth Fossils Week 14 History of Earth Geologic Timescale Week 15 Plate Tectonics Wegener s Hypothesis Plate Boundaries Week 16 Plate Tectonics Changing Continents Tectonic Forces Week 17 Crustal Deformation Mountain Building Faults
Geomorphology Week 18 Earthquakes Elastic Rebound Seismic Waves SEMESTER 2 Third Nine Weeks Grading Period (Geology: Hydrology, Meteorology) Week 19 Earthquakes Seismology Social Relevance Week 20 Volcanoes Volcano Types Lava vs. Magma Tectonics and Volcanic activity Week 21 Volcanoes Eruptions Associated Structures Week 22 Weathering and Erosion Weathering Transport Deposition Lithification Week 23 Rivers and Streams Water Cycle Limnology Week 24 Groundwater Water Tables Wells and Springs Karst Topography Week 25 Glaciers Ice Ages Glacial Movements Evidence Week 26 Wind and Waves Erosion Saltation Dunes Coastal Processes Week 27 The Atmosphere Structure Composition Solar Influence
Fourth Nine Weeks Grading Period (Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography) Week 28 The Atmosphere Water Vapor Clouds Precipitation Week 29 Weather Week 30 Climate Air Masses Fronts Measuring Atmospheric Conditions Forecasting Regional Climates Climate Change Week 31 The Oceans Seawater Chemistry Seafloor Structure and Composition Week 32 The Oceans Currents Waves Tides Week 33 The Cosmos History of Astronomy Earth s Motions Week 34 The Cosmos The Solar System Planets Celestial Bodies Week 35 The Cosmos The Sun Solar Activity Other Stars Hertz sprung-russell Classification Week 36 The Cosmos Stellar Evolution Nebulas The Big Bang
Lab Exercises Labs The following are possible activities/lab-work that may be conducted throughout the course. Teachers may select to do any combination of the labs listed or develop others as the course progresses. In no way does this mean that every lab listed will be completed in the given time of the course. Semester 1 Lab Safety Longitude/Latitude Creating a topographic map Conservation of Mass Using a compass Using the Periodic Table Chemical Reactions Determining Density Mineral Identification Crystal Formation Rock Classification Effects of Solar Radiation Latent Heat The Geologic Timescale Relative Dating Types of Fossils Fossil Identification Radioactive Decay Tectonic Plate Boundaries Finding an Earthquakes Epicenter Semester 2 Earthquake Safe Buildings Changing the Melting Point of Rock Magma Viscosity Soil Chemistry Porosity Growing Stalactites Glaciers and Sea-level Change Beach Erosion Energy Absorption and Reflection Cloud Formation/Dew point Relative Humidity Interpreting Weather Maps Factors that Affect Climate Sea-floor Sediments Science at Sea Ocean Water Density The Motion of Waves Earth/Sun relationships Celestial Distances Crater Maker The Galilean Moons Fusion Solar Energy Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams Stellar Magnitudes