This course provides an introductory look at a broad range of earth science and space science topics. Among these include: origins of the universe, objects in the solar system, gravity, the water cycle, the rock cycle, weather patterns, geologic time, natural hazards, global climate change, and conservation. All topics are aligned to the Next Generation Science standards for middle school Earth Science.
This course includes:
- Three units
- 27 Lecture Videos
- 26 Lecture Worksheets and corresponding answer keys
- 26 Exercise Review Videos (I explain each answer step by step)
- Over 150 practice questions
- Over 50 amazing images attached to practice documents
- 6 Lab Exercises, with included worksheets and answer keys
- 3 Multiple Choice Unit Exams
- Approximately 10 hours of video lectures and reviews
Course Description
Unit 1 focuses on space science topics, beginning with the origins and size of the universe, and slowly zooming in to discuss galaxies, stars, and our own solar system. Along the way, there are two lab activities to conceptualize the vast distances between astronomical objects. Orbits and a discussion of the force of gravity wrap up the unit, before talking about some phenomenon created by the Earth - Sun - Moon system to transition into unit 2.
Unit 2 moves into earth science topics, particularly cycles and systems that occur on our planet. We'll with an overview of the ocean and the atmosphere and a discussion of the Coriolis effect, then move into weather and climate. Then, we'll move to the land, talking about the layers of the earth, plate tectonics, and geologic time.
Finally, in Unit 3, we'll explore our own place in these cycles and systems. We'll discuss some of the ways that the Earth shapes our lives, and then at how human activiies can reshape the earth.
Course Goals
This course aims to introduce students to the fundementals of the earth science.
Target Audience
This is an introductory course, build around the middle school Next Generation Science standards, and thus is ideal for 6th - 8th grade students. However, it will work as an introduction to earth and space science for any level.
Course Requirements
There are no prerequisites for the course, although a knowledge of mathematics through fractions and squaring will be helpful for certain lessons.
Course Topics
- Origins of the Universe
- Scale of the Universe
- Objects in the Solar System
- Gravity and Orbits
- Eclipses
- Seasons
- Tides
- Coriolis Effect
- Weather and Water
- Weather and Climate
- Layers of the Earth
- Plate Tectonics
- Geologic Time
- Natural Hazards
- Natural Resources
Course Skills
- Problem Solving
- Analyze data in graphical and written formats
- Observe experiments and report their results
- Present information in a variety of formats
