Course Description
Earth Science explores how a number of sciences, including geology, physics, chemistry, and biology impact the world and universe around us. In this interactive and engaging course, students study air, water, and the physical processes that shape the physical world, and how human civilization has affected the balance of nature. Students learn about the modern science behind topics from the Earth’s history, such as continental drift, ice ages, fossil dating, and geological timescale. Students will also look at processes that affect life today, such as weathering and erosion, the rock cycle, weather patterns, and climate. They will explore regular phenomena, the cause of the seasons and natural disasters. The students will examine the formation, acquisition and use of natural resources, as well as alternative energy sources. The students will also look at Earth as a small part of a larger universe in an exploration of astronomy. They will examine the Solar System and the stars and galaxies beyond it.

Course Breakdown

River valleys and floods
Groundwater
Earth’s spheres
The atmosphere
Atmospheric energy cycle
Water cycle and cloud formation
Wind patterns and air masses
Weather forecasting
Climate factors
Humans and environmental changes
Effects of air pollution Greenhouse effect
Impact on ecosystems
Energy sources
The atmosphere
Structure of the Sun
Structure of the solar system
Planets, moons, asteroids, and comets
Universal laws
Electromagnetic radiation
Classification of stars
Constellations and galaxies

Course Goals
Relate the movement of water to the formation of river valleys and floodplains.
Distinguish between the layers of the atmosphere and explain how energy is absorbed and moved throughout the atmosphere.
Describe the movements of the atmosphere and how they are used to predict weather conditions.
Summarize the processes that create climate patterns across Earth.
Explain how pollution and other human activities affect the atmosphere and climate patterns. Examine the causes and solutions to the issues caused by human activity.
Compare and contrast the sources of energy used by humans for fuel.
Describe the structures and the laws that compose the solar system.
Summarize the nature of electromagnetic radiation and how it is detected and used to analyze the universe.
Distinguish between different stars and galaxies and explain how constellations are used to comprehend the night sky.