Course Description:
This is a challenging and exciting course that covers basic environmental science topics as well as more advanced concepts. Long-term geological changes, landscape features, climate, biodiversity, and human impacts are some of the main themes that will be covered. The course is broken down into four sections that mimic four of the spheres of the Earth: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere, and Anthroposphere.
Section 1 focuses on processes related to the lithosphere, or the outer surface of the planet. Section 2 focuses on processes related to the atmosphere and the hydrosphere, or the surrounding air and water enveloping the planet. Section 3 focuses on the biosphere, or the living systems on Earth. Section 4 focuses on the anthroposphere, or the human impact on all the aforementioned spheres of the Earth.
This course is taught by an experienced classroom and field studies teacher with two master of science degrees in environmental science and sustainable environmental resources management. Drawing on academic knowledge and field experience, these lessons provide an interesting and accessible look into the important field of environmental science.
Course Goals:
With knowledge and clarity gained from environmental science concepts this course will not only improve student literacy in key scientific areas, it will help foster a broader understanding of environmental issues in the real world. Upon completion of this course the successful student will be able to identify the different geological eras, understand the science behind climate change, understand the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems, know the difference between landform processes and geomorphology, and have a deeper understanding of how human activities affect the Earth.
Target Audience:
The target audience is 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students who have basic scientific literacy skills and are interested in applied sciences.
Course Requirements:
The student will complete 22 full lessons, each with two components consisting of a regular lesson and a review lesson. Successful completion of a quiz after each lesson is needed in order to move on to the next course. Completion of a worksheet for each lesson is also mandatory. Worksheets will be reviewed in the second component of each lesson.
Course Includes:
- Over 7.5 hours of video lessons and review video lessons
- 22 Lessons
- 22 Quizzes
- 22 Worksheets
- Lesson slides reviewing each lesson
- Worksheet reviews for each lesson
- Additional parent resources: course outline and answer key for each quiz
Course Topics:
- Introduction
- Geological Time-scale
- Landform Processes
- Geomorphology
- Geophysics
- Plate Tectonics
- Atmosphere & Hydrosphere
- Ozone
- Weather & Climate
- Climate Change
- Greenhouse Effect on Mars & Venus
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
- Rainforests & Deserts
- Coral Reefs
- Rivers & Lakes
- Polar Caps
- Formation of Natural Resources
- Natural Resources Management
- Sustainable Development
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Environmental Remediation
