Earth Science

Instructor Information

• Course Outline
• Assignment Checklist

Course Information

• Course Overview

Developmental Module

• Developmental Module

Module 1: What is Earth Science?

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: The Branches of Earth Science
• Topic 2: Scientific Investigation
• Topic 3: Measurement
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 2: Mapping

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Mapping the World
• Topic 2: Analyzing Maps
• Topic 3: Topographic Maps
• Topic 4: Satellite Imagery and the Global Positioning System
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 3: Astronomy - The Universe

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Cosmology
• Topic 2: Galaxies and the Milky Way
• Topic 3: Stellar Evolution and Classification
• Topic 4: The Electromagnetic Spectrum and the Doppler Effect
• Topic 5: Telescopes and Other Tools
• Topic 6: Early Astronomers
• Topic 7: Modern Astronomy
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 4: Astronomy - The Solar System

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: The Formation of the Solar System
• Topic 2: The Sun
• Topic 3: The Terrestrial Planets
• Topic 4: The Jovian Planets
• Topic 5: Other Objects in the Solar System
• Topic 6: Earth’s Moon and Lunar Phases
• Topic 7: Sun, Earth, and Moon Systems
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 5: Minerals

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Matter
• Topic 2: Minerals
• Topic 3: Identification of Minerals
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 6: Rocks

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Igneous Rocks
• Topic 2: Sedimentary Rocks
• Topic 3: Metamorphic Rocks
• Topic 4: The Rock Cycle
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 7: Plate Tectonics and Earth's Structure

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Earth’s Structure
• Topic 2: Plate Tectonics
• Topic 3: Volcanoes
• Topic 4: Earthquakes
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 8: Weathering, Erosion, and Groundwater

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Weathering
• Topic 2: Karst Topography
• Topic 3: Soils
• Topic 4: Erosion and Deposition
• Topic 5: Surface Water
• Topic 6: Groundwater
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 9: Earth’s History

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Relative Dating
• Topic 2: Radiometric Dating
• Topic 3: Geologic Time
• Topic 4: Fossils
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 10: Resources and Virginia Geology

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
• Topic 2: Fossil Fuel Energy Resources
• Topic 3: Alternative Energy Resources
• Topic 4: Virginia Geology and Resources
• Topic 5: Virginia Watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 11: Meteorology

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: Earth’s Atmosphere
• Topic 2: Clouds and Precipitation
• Topic 3: Weather and Climate
• Topic 4: Weather Observations
• Topic 5: Interpreting Weather Maps
• Topic 6: Severe Weather
• Topic 7: Changes in the Atmosphere
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment

Module 12: Oceanography

• Module Overview
• Topic 1: The Blue Planet
• Topic 2: Ocean Movement - Waves and Tides
• Topic 3: Salinity and Ocean Circulation
• Topic 4: Ocean Geomorphology
• Topic 5: Ocean Life
• Topic 6: Environmental, Economic, and Public Policy and the Oceans
• Module Summary
• Module Authentic Assessment