Unit 8: Climatic Interactions
Students will begin the unit discussing the 3 types of heat transfer: radiation, conduction, & convection. We will then concentrate on convection that occurs in the atmosphere (causing winds, like the Jet Stream) and in the ocean (causing currents, like the Gulf Stream). The students should know that thermal (heat) energy carried by ocean currents has a strong influence on climates around the world. Areas near oceans have moderate temperatures because ocean waters can hold large amounts of thermal (heat) energy. Students will learn the symbols used on weather maps, and they will investigate maps of Cameron and other areas of the world. Since oceans have a large influence on the weather/climate of an area, we will also discuss the cause/effect of weather patterns, such as El Nino, La Nina, hurricanes, & other tropical storms.
Unit 9: Earth Cycles
Students will describe the cycles influenced by the Sun, Earth, & Moon. Students will show how the tilt of the Earth causes day & night, and the Earth's revolution causes seasons. Students will demonstrate and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle (phases of the moon). They should know that the Moon orbits around the Earth once in about 28 days; that orbit changes what part of the Moon is lighted by the Sun and how much of that part can be seen from the Earth (which makes the phases). The students should also relate the
position of the Moon and Sun to their effect on ocean tides (high/low tides, a.k.a spring/neap tides).
Unit 10: Light Years and Theories
During this unit, students look at scientific theories used to describe the origin (beginning) of the universe. They also describe how light years are used to measure distances and sizes in the universe. Using light years to express astronomical distances is not an easy concept for students to understand. Students may think of light years as a measure of time. They also may have difficulty relating to the very large distances involved in space. The students should know that the universe contains many billions of galaxies, and each galaxy contains many billions of stars. To the naked eye, even the closest of these galaxies is no more than a dim, fuzzy spot. Some distant galaxies are so far away that their light takes several billion years to reach the earth.