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SCI114: Honors Earth Science This challenging course provides students with an honors-level Earth Science curriculum, focusing on geology, oceanography, astronomy, weather, and climate. The program consists of online lessons, an associated reference book, collaborative activities, and hands-on laboratories students can conduct at home. The course prepares students for advanced studies in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy courses, and gives them more sophisticated experience in implementing scientific methods. Additional honors assignments include debates, research papers, extended collaborative laboratories, and virtual laboratories. K12 provides all lab materials that cannot easily be found in the home.

Course length: Two semesters

Materials: Earth Science: A Reference Guide; materials for laboratory experiments

Prerequisites: K12 middle school Life Science, or equivalent, success in previous science course, and teacher/school counselor recommendation

seMester oneunit 1: earth science and systems Students explore what Earth Science is, learn about its breadth and history, and study the contributions of Earth scientists to the betterment of life for all of us. Students also study aspects of scientific methods and use those methods in a laboratory setting.

• Introduction • Why Study Earth Science? • Historical Contributions in Earth Science • Spheres as Earth Systems • Laboratory: Topographical Maps • Earth Systems and Interactions • Laboratory: Modeling Earth Science Processes

unit 2: Dynamic earth Students confront Earth as a dynamic planet that is, in many ways, more active than any other planet in our solar system. The core idea of plate tectonics and its effect on Earth’s history and its current geological activity helps students make sense of our world. Knowledge of the origin and distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes helps students make even greater sense of Earth’s dynamic nature.

• Introduction to Plate Tectonics • Pangaea and Continental Drift • Moving Plates • Plate Boundaries • Plate Tectonics: Historical Perspective • Where Earthquakes and Volcanoes Occur • Structure of Earth’s Interior • Laboratory: Island Chain Formation • How Earthquakes Happen • Locating Earthquakes • Earthquakes and Waves • Laboratory: Earthquake Epicenter

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• How Volcanoes Form • Volcanic Zones • Mountain Building • Impact of Geologic Events

unit 3: Composition of the earth Study of the minerals and rocks that comprise Earth is students’ most tangible way to engage in the nature of the Earth’s structure. In this unit, students tackle the nature of rocks, their origin, distribution, and transformation. After establishing a firm basis of Earth materials, students confront weathering and erosion and the development and change in Earth’s landforms.

• Minerals on Earth • Mineral Properties • Valuable Minerals • Crystal Structures • Rocks and Their Mineral Composition • Three Kinds of Rocks • Laboratory: Rocks and Minerals • Rock Origins • The Rock Cycle • Earth Materials Change • Weathering and Erosion • Land Use and Its Effects

unit 4: geologic history The history of Earth is told in its rocks—how the planet was formed and what changes it has gone through. Students study changes that have taken place in Earth’s long history, examining geological time and the changes in living things over time. Students also begin an investigation of rocks and minerals.

• Earth’s History • Earth’s History and Change • The Fossil Record • Age of Geologic Features • Earth’s History Written in Rocks • Laboratory: Interpreting Geologic History

unit 5: earth’s atmosphere The structure of our atmosphere has a profound effect on Earth and its living things. In this unit students first develop a firm platform for understanding how the sun’s energy is the basis for many of the characteristics of our atmosphere. Knowledge of how the sun’s energy leads to the development of student understanding of wind and global circulation of air. As in other units, students’ understanding of facts stems from their mastery of the “big ideas” of Earth Science.

• Layers in the Atmosphere • Composition of the Atmosphere • History of Earth’s Atmosphere • Atmosphere and Life on Earth • Laboratory: Barometer • The Sun and Energy • Solar Radiation • Temperature and Air Pressure

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• Air Circulation Patterns • Air Movement and Weather • Wind and Human Activity • Laboratory: Energy Absorption/Reflection

unit 6: Weather 1 The origin of weather and its effects on Earth systems and on human life are the focus of student learning in this unit. Students explore what it means to gather weather data and work with weather maps. They learn about the factors that influence weather, cloud formation, and storm development. They also determine the level of risk of severe weather and learn to prepare for dangerous weather.

• What Makes the Weather? • Gathering Weather Data • Weather Maps • Laboratory: Weather Map Interpretation • Cloud Formation • How Storms Develop • Determining Level of Risk • Preparing for Severe Weather

unit 7: semester 1 review and test Students prepare for and take the semester test.

unit 8: honors Project 1: research Paper An independent research paper gives honors students the opportunity to explore Earth Science topics in depth. Students select one of five topics to research and develop a paper reporting on their topic.

• Planning Your Research Paper • Finding and Using Information for Your Paper • Organizing Notes and Developing an Outline • Writing Your Paper • Creating a Works Cited Page • Revising and Proofreading the Research Paper

unit 9: honors Project 2: Virtual lab: spectroscopy Spectroscopy is the analysis of the component parts of light. It is an important tool for an Earth scientist. Most scientists use spectroscopy in one way or another to study light from different objects such as rocks, stars, and even the human body. Using a spectrometer, an instrument that spreads light out into its different colors, scientists can identify the elements and molecules that make up objects. In this lab, students identify four samples by conducting flame tests and using a spectroscope in the K12 Virtual Science Lab.

• Virtual Lab: Spectroscopy

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seMester tWounit 1: Weather 2 The difference between climate and weather is the focus of learning in this unit. Students examine climatic zones, cloud formation, and relative humidity. Students explore the different biomes on Earth and the results that the greenhouse effect will have on Earth’s environment. Students confront the issue of climate change.

• Introduction • Climate vs. Weather • What Influences the Weather? • Comparing the Weather • Climatic Zones • Laboratory: Cloud Formation • Laboratory: Relative Humidity • Biomes on Earth • The Greenhouse Effect • Greenhouse Effect Analyses • Climate Change • Patterns of Climate Change • Laboratory: Temperature of Water and Soil

unit 2: oceans The oceans of the world make our Earth unique among planets in our solar system. In this unit, students explore Earth’s water, to learn about the properties of ocean water and to show how the physical and biological characteristics of oceans make our planet unique.

• Oceans of the World • Chemistry of the Oceans • Physical Properties of Seawater • Ocean Dynamics • Laboratory: Ocean Water Density • Ocean Currents • Ocean Floor • Ocean Conditions and Life • Marine Life Zones • Laboratory: Ocean Floor Sediments • Marine Organisms • Marine Resources

unit 3: Cycles on earth The materials that make up Earth are continuously being recycled. Important nutrients for living things, as well as the components of rocks and minerals, are circulated through Earth systems over time. Students examine these nutrient cycles, paying particular attention to nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and water. The concept of a dynamic and ever-changing Earth is reinforced in this unit.

• Biogeochemical Cycles • Nitrogen Cycle • Carbon Cycle • Life and the Carbon Cycle

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• Laboratory: Dissolved Oxygen • Water Cycle • How Humans Alter Cycles

unit 4: astronomy By this point in the Earth Science curriculum, students will have a firm basis for understanding Earth and its characteristics. Students now look at Earth in the broader context of its place in the solar system, the Milky Way, and the Universe. Building on the “big ideas” of astronomy, students develop a strong central basis for understanding Earth within the larger context of space.

• The Sun • Solar Phenomena • The Earth-Moon-Sun System • Laboratory: Solar Energy • Solar and Lunar Eclipses • The Moon’s Influence • Earth Movement and Seasons • Laboratory: Earth, Moon, Sun Motion • Laboratory: Sunrise and Sunset • Origin of the Solar System • Gravitational Forces in the Solar System • Features of the Solar System • The Planets • Planetary Impact • Electromagnetic Spectrum • Light: A Tool for Astronomy • Distances in Space • Life Cycle of a Star • Color and Brightness of Stars • Data about Stars • What’s a Galaxy? • Searching for Objects in Space • The Big Bang Theory

unit 5: earth’s resources With all that students have learned about Earth, they are able now to confront some practical aspects of Earth and how humans use its resources. Where are we headed with regard to those resources needed to sustain modern society? What is and what should be our relationship to fossil fuels, water resources, and issues regarding changes in human populations?

• Earth’s Natural Resources • Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources • Mineral Resources • Locating Resources • Managing Resources • Using Resources Wisely • Environmental Issues • Laboratory: Air Pollution Watch • Water Resources

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• Humans and the Environment • Conservation • Population Growth • Population Changes

unit 6: semester 2 review and testStudents prepare for and take the semester test.

unit 7: honors Project 1: Weather Website This weather website project is a culmination of the concepts students have learned about temperature, air pressure, humidity and their relationship to prevailing weather. Students select a city and analyze four days of weather data and maps for that location. Then they predict the weather, create a forecast, and using web resources, create an online weather website to communicate the forecast to their chosen city.

• Weather Website

unit 8: honors Project 2: issues in science: online Debate Research and technology produce new information and capabilities, as well as great responsibility. The scientific community wrestles with the question, “Just because we can, does that mean we should?” Examining all sides of an issue can sometimes bring together everyone’s opinions. Other times, people just have to agree to disagree. Different sides of an issue can be examined with a debate. In this project, students examine current scientific issues and express opposing viewpoints through structured debate. They work in collaborative teams to develop and present a case online. Teamwork and sharing ideas are emphasized; students meet online or in person.

• Debates: A Different Way to Argue • Gathering Evidence • Building a Case • Reasoning and Refutation • Effective Debating Strategies • Debate: Constructive Argument • Debate: First Rebuttal • Debate: Second Rebuttal • Debate: Summary Argument

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