Earth Science 1 (Earth Science)
This course is designed as an entry-level investigation and analysis of the Earth, including its structure and composition, geologic and atmospheric processes, as well as several of its linked systems, such as weather, climate, and water. It will also focus on how human society affects and is affected by these systems. In addition, the course will also focus on how these systems apply in our local geographic area of the Sonoran Desert region. The goal of the course is to understand and appreciate how all of the dynamic systems of our planet work together to make the Earth function as an integrated whole, as well as how those systems are being altered by human activity.
Unit One: An Overview of the Earth
Objectives:
Overview of the course and content (Earth systems), formation of the Earth, characteristics of the Earth’s layers, the Earth’s core and magnetic field.
Handouts/ Materials:
Course Syllabus, 'The Formation of the Earth', 'A Real Journey to the Center of the Earth', Structure of the Earth Group Project Guidelines
Assignments/ Activities:
The Formation of the Earth Questions, Journey to the Center of the Earth Reading Activity, A Real Journey to the Center of the Earth Questions, Inside Planet Earth Questions, Structure of the Earth Group Project, Binder Check 1, Unit Quiz One
Supplementary Links:
Scientists find meteorite older than the solar system
Detailed website on the Earth's formation
Good website about the birth of the Earth
Meteorite older than Earth shows evidence of volcanism on a protoplanet
Mystery of moon's formation solved?
Pieces of Theia inside Earth are millions of times larger than Mount Everest
Surprise! Earth has a secret hidden layer
Deep inside Earth, scientists find weird blobs and massive mountains
There could be iron snow falling in our planet's core
Quick animation of Earth's magnetic field and poles
Surprise life found thriving 2,000 feet underground
The Earth is humming- here's what that means
No, we're not all doomed by Earth's magnetic field flip
Earth's poles will eventually flip, so what then?
The last magnetic pole flip saw 22,000 years of weirdness
Study blames last magnetic field flip for climate change and extinctions
Supplementary Films:
Objectives:
Overview of the course and content (Earth systems), formation of the Earth, characteristics of the Earth’s layers, the Earth’s core and magnetic field.
Handouts/ Materials:
Course Syllabus, 'The Formation of the Earth', 'A Real Journey to the Center of the Earth', Structure of the Earth Group Project Guidelines
Assignments/ Activities:
The Formation of the Earth Questions, Journey to the Center of the Earth Reading Activity, A Real Journey to the Center of the Earth Questions, Inside Planet Earth Questions, Structure of the Earth Group Project, Binder Check 1, Unit Quiz One
Supplementary Links:
Scientists find meteorite older than the solar system
Detailed website on the Earth's formation
Good website about the birth of the Earth
Meteorite older than Earth shows evidence of volcanism on a protoplanet
Mystery of moon's formation solved?
Pieces of Theia inside Earth are millions of times larger than Mount Everest
Surprise! Earth has a secret hidden layer
Deep inside Earth, scientists find weird blobs and massive mountains
There could be iron snow falling in our planet's core
Quick animation of Earth's magnetic field and poles
Surprise life found thriving 2,000 feet underground
The Earth is humming- here's what that means
No, we're not all doomed by Earth's magnetic field flip
Earth's poles will eventually flip, so what then?
The last magnetic pole flip saw 22,000 years of weirdness
Study blames last magnetic field flip for climate change and extinctions
Supplementary Films:
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Unit Two: Tectonic Processes
Objectives:
Understand the theory and processes of plate tectonics, seafloor spreading, continental drift over time (includes the history and development of this theory); volcanoes, volcano types and processes of volcanism; processes of mountain formation; earthquakes, relationship of these processes to plate tectonics, and their impact on human society.
Handouts/ Materials:
'Continental Drift', 'Volcanoes and Earthquakes'
Assignments/ Activities:
Continental Drift Questions, Plate Tectonics Worksheet, Earth: The Biography- Volcanoes Questions, Volcanoes and Earthquakes Reading Activity, Volcanoes and Earthquakes Questions
Supplementary Links:
Continental drift- a revolutionary theory that was once considered pseudoscience
What will happen when the Earth's plate tectonics stops?
Supplementary Films:
Objectives:
Understand the theory and processes of plate tectonics, seafloor spreading, continental drift over time (includes the history and development of this theory); volcanoes, volcano types and processes of volcanism; processes of mountain formation; earthquakes, relationship of these processes to plate tectonics, and their impact on human society.
Handouts/ Materials:
'Continental Drift', 'Volcanoes and Earthquakes'
Assignments/ Activities:
Continental Drift Questions, Plate Tectonics Worksheet, Earth: The Biography- Volcanoes Questions, Volcanoes and Earthquakes Reading Activity, Volcanoes and Earthquakes Questions
Supplementary Links:
Continental drift- a revolutionary theory that was once considered pseudoscience
What will happen when the Earth's plate tectonics stops?
Supplementary Films:
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Unit Three: Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Objectives:
Understand the formation and evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, composition and characteristics of the atmosphere, impact on the atmosphere through natural and man-made processes.
Handouts/ Materials:
'Earth's Atmosphere', Layers of the Atmosphere Group Project Guidelines
Assignments/ Activities:
Earth's Atmosphere Questions, Earth: The Biography- Atmosphere Questions, Layers of the Atmosphere Group Project, Binder Check 2, Midterm Exam
Supplementary Links:
Our oxygenated atmosphere only has a billion more years left
New seismic phenomena discovered- stormquakes
Interesting-and scary- article about what would have happened if we hadn't done anything about the ozone hole
The ozone hole is healing, but it's not all good news
The science behind Earth's strangest light phenomena
Space hurricane detected over the Earth's North Pole
Supplementary Films:
Objectives:
Understand the formation and evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, composition and characteristics of the atmosphere, impact on the atmosphere through natural and man-made processes.
Handouts/ Materials:
'Earth's Atmosphere', Layers of the Atmosphere Group Project Guidelines
Assignments/ Activities:
Earth's Atmosphere Questions, Earth: The Biography- Atmosphere Questions, Layers of the Atmosphere Group Project, Binder Check 2, Midterm Exam
Supplementary Links:
Our oxygenated atmosphere only has a billion more years left
New seismic phenomena discovered- stormquakes
Interesting-and scary- article about what would have happened if we hadn't done anything about the ozone hole
The ozone hole is healing, but it's not all good news
The science behind Earth's strangest light phenomena
Space hurricane detected over the Earth's North Pole
Supplementary Films:
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Unit Four: Weathering and Erosion
Objectives:
Understand the process of weathering and oxidation, cave formation, the process and different types of erosion, examine the role of water erosion in detail, and the role that glaciers and glaciation have had on shaping Earth’s climate and topography.
Handouts/ Materials:
'Weathering and Erosion'
Assignments/ Activities:
Weathering and Erosion Questions, Planet Earth: Fresh Water Questions, Earth: The Biography- Ice Questions
Supplementary Links:
Supplementary Films:
Objectives:
Understand the process of weathering and oxidation, cave formation, the process and different types of erosion, examine the role of water erosion in detail, and the role that glaciers and glaciation have had on shaping Earth’s climate and topography.
Handouts/ Materials:
'Weathering and Erosion'
Assignments/ Activities:
Weathering and Erosion Questions, Planet Earth: Fresh Water Questions, Earth: The Biography- Ice Questions
Supplementary Links:
Supplementary Films:
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Unit Five: Wind and Weather
Objectives:
Understand the Earth’s tilt and seasons, wind belts and cells, introduction to weather systems and climate, how weather and climate patterns are measured and recorded. Also understand global warming/ climate change, its impact on the environment and human society, and how its negative effects may be mitigated.
Handouts/ Materials:
'The Earth's Movement in Space', 'Weather Conditions and Measurements', 'Introduction to the Tucson Region', 'Global Warming and Climate Change'
Assignments/ Activities:
Pollution and Wind Belts Activity, Binder Check 3, Unit Quiz Two, Weather Map Activity, Wind and Weather Questions, Weather Observation Charts, Introduction to the Tucson Region Questions, Global Warming and Climate Change Reading Activity, Global Warming and Climate Change Questions
Supplementary Links:
How climate change will affect your part of the United States
How does Earth's carbon cycle work?
Why a small amount of CO2 makes a big difference
Greenhouse gas emissions again break records
'Record setting' doesn't do our CO2 levels justice
CO2 levels are the highest they've been in over 3 million years
6 ways climate change is hitting the US
Where we are on climate change in 7 charts- and what you can do to help
9 climate tipping points that could lead to hothouse Earth
What Greenland's unprecedented ice loss means for Earth
These charts show how high sea levels will rise if Antarctica's ice melts
The world was just issued a 12-year ultimatum on climate change
Oceans running out of oxygen as temperatures rise
Bill Gates launches massive effort to help the world adapt to climate change
'Tornado Alley' may be shifting to the densely-populated southeast due to climate change
Climate change already costing billions of taxpayer dollars annually
Parts of the ocean floor are disintegrating, and it's our fault
Climate change keeps looking worse
A faster, cheaper path to fusion energy
How Amazon forest loss can affect water and climate far away
New report predicts climate change is going to make life on Earth a whole lot worse
Rising seas give Marshall Islands a stark choice- relocate or elevate
16,000 scientists send dire climate warning
Good news- 1/2 of US spending power still in support of Paris Agreement
Lifestyle changes aren't enough to save us from climate change- but here's what could
Building cities like stromatolites could help us survive climate change
UN temperature goals are 'within reach'
5 famous environmental disasters where humans and Nature healed together
Supplementary Films:
Objectives:
Understand the Earth’s tilt and seasons, wind belts and cells, introduction to weather systems and climate, how weather and climate patterns are measured and recorded. Also understand global warming/ climate change, its impact on the environment and human society, and how its negative effects may be mitigated.
Handouts/ Materials:
'The Earth's Movement in Space', 'Weather Conditions and Measurements', 'Introduction to the Tucson Region', 'Global Warming and Climate Change'
Assignments/ Activities:
Pollution and Wind Belts Activity, Binder Check 3, Unit Quiz Two, Weather Map Activity, Wind and Weather Questions, Weather Observation Charts, Introduction to the Tucson Region Questions, Global Warming and Climate Change Reading Activity, Global Warming and Climate Change Questions
Supplementary Links:
How climate change will affect your part of the United States
How does Earth's carbon cycle work?
Why a small amount of CO2 makes a big difference
Greenhouse gas emissions again break records
'Record setting' doesn't do our CO2 levels justice
CO2 levels are the highest they've been in over 3 million years
6 ways climate change is hitting the US
Where we are on climate change in 7 charts- and what you can do to help
9 climate tipping points that could lead to hothouse Earth
What Greenland's unprecedented ice loss means for Earth
These charts show how high sea levels will rise if Antarctica's ice melts
The world was just issued a 12-year ultimatum on climate change
Oceans running out of oxygen as temperatures rise
Bill Gates launches massive effort to help the world adapt to climate change
'Tornado Alley' may be shifting to the densely-populated southeast due to climate change
Climate change already costing billions of taxpayer dollars annually
Parts of the ocean floor are disintegrating, and it's our fault
Climate change keeps looking worse
A faster, cheaper path to fusion energy
How Amazon forest loss can affect water and climate far away
New report predicts climate change is going to make life on Earth a whole lot worse
Rising seas give Marshall Islands a stark choice- relocate or elevate
16,000 scientists send dire climate warning
Good news- 1/2 of US spending power still in support of Paris Agreement
Lifestyle changes aren't enough to save us from climate change- but here's what could
Building cities like stromatolites could help us survive climate change
UN temperature goals are 'within reach'
5 famous environmental disasters where humans and Nature healed together
Supplementary Films:
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Unit Six: Water and Ocean Systems
Objectives:
Understand Earth’s oceans, ocean characteristics, ocean currents and cycles, and their effect on weather and climate. Also understand the water cycle, the distribution of water on Earth, issues of water use/ misuse, and water conservation (both globally and locally).
Handouts/ Materials:
'Sources of Fresh Water'
Assignments/ Activities:
Earth: The Biography- Oceans Questions, Tanker Spills Activity, Binder Check 4, Final Exam, Course Evaluation
Supplementary Links:
Time-lapse shows how Earth would look if the oceans drained
Just 88 companies are responsible for ruining the oceans
Why is the Gulf Stream slowing down?
Changes in the Atlantic Ocean are bad news for the world's climate
Has El Nino become more intense in the industrial age?
Supplementary Films:
Objectives:
Understand Earth’s oceans, ocean characteristics, ocean currents and cycles, and their effect on weather and climate. Also understand the water cycle, the distribution of water on Earth, issues of water use/ misuse, and water conservation (both globally and locally).
Handouts/ Materials:
'Sources of Fresh Water'
Assignments/ Activities:
Earth: The Biography- Oceans Questions, Tanker Spills Activity, Binder Check 4, Final Exam, Course Evaluation
Supplementary Links:
Time-lapse shows how Earth would look if the oceans drained
Just 88 companies are responsible for ruining the oceans
Why is the Gulf Stream slowing down?
Changes in the Atlantic Ocean are bad news for the world's climate
Has El Nino become more intense in the industrial age?
Supplementary Films:
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