Earth & Space

Science

Curriculum

Course Title: Earth & Space

Department: Science

Units of Study:

1st Quarter:

Meteorology, Oceanography (Water Budgets if time allows)

• air movement, weather maps, consolidated storm types

• practical application of equipment, map activities,

• patterns of weather in the local and national

• ocean currents, resources from the ocean, ocean water properties

• treaties of oceans, coast lines and margins, sea level change

• history of the ocean

2nd Quarter:

Start of the Universe, Astronomy, Solar System (part 1)

• formation of the universe, stars, star systems

• early astronomy through modern astronomy

• our Sun and its features, the formation of the Solar System

3rd Quarter:

Geology and Fossil Record

• formation of Earth, layers of the Earth, crust its processes

• consolidated tectonic phenomena with related landforms

• application of content through world examples

• evolution study through geologic time scale

• rocks and minerals unit, lab practicum

4th Quarter:

Solar System (part 2), Space Exploration

• the Moon and its effect on Earth

• planets of the Solar System, regions, and boundaries

• exploration of the Solar System with history

• space exploration and potential for future

• size and scope of the Universe, potential for life beyond Earth/ Solar System

Curriculum-Based Assessments: N/A

Standardized Assessments: N/A

Description of Course: This course centers on a study of the physical characteristics of the earth. It considers the forces that continuously change the earth’s physical make-up and, through astronomy, develops an understanding of the universe and where the earth fits. Topics studied include meteorology, climatology, geology, oceanography, cosmology and astronomy.