ABOUT THE COURSE

This course is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which were developed nationally by educational leaders to improve the standards of science education for all. NGSS standards focus on improving career essential skills such as communication, collaboration, inquiry, problem solving, and critical thinking while studying science content.

We will use a blend of resources for this class including STEMscope and current publications. We will be exploring questions such as:

• How has the Sun produced energy for so long and is still expected to last for billions of years? (The Universe Unit)

• Where did the universe come from? (The Universe Unit)

• How are all elements a result of activity in the universe? (The Universe Unit)

• How do other celestial objects orbits compare to Earth? (The Universe Unit)

• What does the Earth's ocean floor tell us about rock age? ( The Earth's History Unit)

• How can the material in the solar system be used to determine the age of Earth? (The Earth's History Unit)

• Why does the topography of the ocean floor differ from the topography of land? (The Earth's History Unit)

• How does the interior of Earth affect the exterior? (The Earth's History Unit)

• How are global ice melting and increased surface temperature related? (The Changing Climate Unit)

• How do variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems result in changes in climate? (The Changing Climate Unit)

• How do past climatic events help us to prepare for future climatic events? (The Changing Climate Unit)

• Does water really create cave formations? ( Water, Carbon, and Organisms Unit)

• How does carbon dioxide have such a large impact on so many of the Earth's systems? ( Water, Carbon, and Organisms Unit)

• How is it that life on Earth has changed over millions of years yet the Earth has not? ( Water, Carbon, and Organisms Unit)

• How have societies been shaped by resource availability and natural hazards? ( The Earth's Resources Unit)

• With high human consumption of Earth's minerals, how have we been managing their supplies? ( The Earth's Resources Unit)

• How is it that Earth can support all the humans currently living on the planet? (Mitigating Human Impact Unit)

• How is deforestation related to the amount of precipitation Earth gets annually? (Mitigating Human Impact Unit)

Before the first day of class, you need to:

• Review our Google Site (Pay extra attention to - my contact information, course information and gator way tabs)

• Join and review our Google Classroom

• Bookmark STEMscopes (login will be sent soon)

• Locate our Zoom meeting link

On the first day of class ( and all following days), you need to:

• Utilize the link provided in Google Classroom to enter the zoom meeting at the designated class time.

• Mute your microphone and display your video- casting your live image.

• Be Positive and Ready to work

Please email me immediately if you have any problems.

• Be on time- know you class schedule and your zoom login information

• Be present - no distractions such as television, phones, etc. during class

• Be prepared- have your computer charged and your assignments completed

Review the Gator Way Tab ( top of the page) and the video on the HOME page

Your grade will be weighted by the following categories and percentages

• Assignments (Classwork and Participation -30%)

  • Assignments include Google Classroom assignments, STEMscope assignments, Zoom class activities, and indirectly class attendance.

  • Because the intention of assignments is to improve student understanding of material, students can redo assigned work until mastery is attained. In the mastery process, I provide feedback to students to help guide them through errors in their work. At times, students might be asked to completed an alternative assignment. Students resubmit all assignments in Google Classroom in the original submission location. Additionally, I provide one-on -one tutoring during office hours- students or parents can make appointments (See Home Page).

  • MISSED ZOOM CLASS: Students that miss our Zoom class will be required to email me and their parent/guardian with an explanation for the missed class. Upon receiving the email, I will provide the student directions for making up missed work - most commonly an alternative assignment will be offered to the student to complete. Repeated unexcused absences from our Zoom class will follow the discipline pathway outlined under The Gator Way tab of this site.

• Labs and Group Work (30%)

  • Labs and group work are assigned throughout the course and are intended to enhance student understanding of content and to expand skills in communication, problem solving, and critical thinking.

  • Labs and group work grading is comprised of scores for accuracy and participation. Student contributions to group work will be assessed using the Google Tools history, peer evaluations, and self-evaluations.

• Assessments (40%)

  • Assessments are in-unit quizzes and end-of-unit summative assessments. The purpose of assessments is to gauge student understanding of material and identify areas that require more support. More details below.

  • In-unit quiz formats can include open ended questions, multiple choice questions, demonstrations, or models. In-unit quizzes cannot be retaken. However, if a student demonstrates mastery of the material on the end- of- unit summative assessment, then the in-unit quiz grade will be changed to match the appropriate summative assessment score.

  • Summative assessment formats can include all or some of the following: open ended questions, multiple choice questions, a demonstration, a model, or a project. Summative assessment scores are not retaken or adjusted.