Earth Science Series

This is Session 1 of 3 in the full-year (24 weeks) Earth Science series.

Please note: If you enroll in Session 1, you are guaranteed space in the remaining Earth Science classes as long as you enroll before the deadline for each class.

This first 4-week class gives you the chance to make sure our format is a good fit for your student’s learning needs without you having to commit to a full year of classes. However, it is packed with information and is the foundation for our Earth Science studies.

There are three sessions to complete the Earth Science course series.

It is not required, but it is highly recommended that you take these sessions in order.

The other sessions in the series include:

Session 2: Our Dynamic Earth

Session 3: The Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This will not be a “fluff” class, or an “overview”. This is an intensive, science heavy class where students will learn all of the major foundations of Earth Science, backed up with hands on labs. There will be no surface skimming in this class! We are going to go deep- all the way to the core!

In this session, students will be learning what Earth Science is and the branches of science that pertain to it. We will learn how scientists map our earth, and we will get hands on with doing it ourselves! We will then discuss earth chemistry: elements and states of matter. The section will finish up with a study on minerals, the 3 types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary), and the rock cycle. Lots of hands on labs!

I have created educational videos to accompany the course—some of these will be on site at various areas around the world. Each week, there will be a choice of hands on projects for students to complete to reinforce their knowledge of the material.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1

We’ll start off with the basics, and learn what earth science is (and is not), the 5 main earth systems that we’ll be focusing on throughout the year, and how to map with both latitude/longitude and topography.

Week 2

We’ll learn about the chemistry of the Earth, starting all the way back with atoms! We’ll then use this knowledge to get a better understanding of the elements that makes up the different Earth systems and start our unit on minerals.

Week 3

This week is focused on minerals, building on the foundational information we learned last week. We’ll learn about how and where they are formed, the different groups, and get hands on with how to identify minerals using scratch, hardness, luster, and other characteristics.

Week 4

For our final week of Session 1, we move from minerals to rocks. We’ll discuss how they are formed, the different types (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous), and how they are broken down through the process of weathering, erosion, and deposition.

All labs are OPTIONAL and not required to complete the work.

These materials will allow students to follow along with the in-lesson labs.
Students who do not have materials can simply follow along with me in the video.

Week 3 lab materials:

Hot water
salt
flat dish or pan (like a cookie sheet)
Wax paper/foil
butter
candle wax

Mineral Samples: You can use any brand, but they should be labeled so you can identify them, your kit should come with testing equipment.

If not, get as many of these items as you can: Rough white porcelain tile (not glazed), glass, steel nail, copper, a US penny from 1982 or older will work for this

Rock Samples: You can use any brand, but they should be labeled so you can identify them and include samples of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.

Week 4 lab materials:

LAB 1:
Clear jar with lid (tall and narrow is best)
3 tablespoons each of dirt, small gravel, and large gravel
water.

LAB 2:
flour
quinoa or cous cous
raw popcorn kernels
salt or sugar
coffee
raw beans like pinto, kidney, etc.
a ruler that measures millimeters.

LAB 3:
½ cup of water
salt

This is Session 2 of 3 in the full-year (24 weeks) Earth Science series.

It is not required, but it is highly recommended that you take these classes in order.

The other sessions in this series include:

Session 1: Mapping, Minerals, and Rocks

Session 3: Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

CLASS DESCRIPTION

In this session, students will be learning about the dynamic nature of this planet we call home—our lithosphere in particular. We will cover the theory of plate tectonics, continental drift, and sea floor spreading. We will then move into natural phenomenon such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building. Then, we will build upon our knowledge of rocks from session 1 and discuss weathering, soil formation, erosion, and deposition. We will end this session by going back in time—all the way back to the beginning of the earth, 4.6 billion years ago. How do we know earth is this old? We will discuss rock dating and get hands on with it! The session will finish with a timeline of earth’s history, as we work our way through the geologic time scale.

I have created educational videos to accompany the course—some of these will be on site at various areas around the world. In fact, students will come with me (virtually!) to Iceland to study plate tectonics, volcanoes and geothermic features! Each week, there will be a choice of hands on projects for students to complete to reinforce their knowledge of the material.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1

We’ll start off our Dynamic Earth unit by focusing on the three major processes that shape our earth–weathering, erosion, and deposition. We’ll discuss the causes of these factors and what drives them, as well as some of the features these processes form. There will also be a detailed discussion on the process of soil formation.

Week 2

We’re going to get moving this week with mass movement! We’ll study creeps, flows, slides, and avalanches- what they are and what causes them. Then we’ll learn all about glaciers- the different types, where they are found, and how they shape the earth’s surface. Students will travel to Iceland with me (virtually!) to see actual glaciers!

Week 3

Science meets history this week, as we learn about the history of the theory of continental drift and the scientists that led the way toward our understanding of plate tectonics. We’ll cover seafloor spreading, the different types of tectonic plate boundaries and movements associated with them, and how the movements of these plates shape our Earth. I will even show the students plate boundaries in Iceland- where I walk from one plate to another!

Week 4

Week 4 is an explosive one, as we’ll be learning all about volcanoes! We’ll learn about the different types of magma- their composition and viscosity. Then we’ll move to volcanoes and what happens with that magma becomes lava! We’ll learn the different types, the anatomy of each type, how eruptions happen, and I’ll even take students with me into a lava tube and then into the only magma chamber in the world that you can enter in Iceland!

Week 5

We’ll be moving and shaking this week as we study earthquakes! We’ll talk about the stress that occurs at different plate boundaries, how that stress shapes the earth, and what happens when that stress is suddenly released (spoiler alert: earthquake!). We’ll cover the different types of faults, seismic waves and how they are measured, and the Richter and Modified Mercalli scales. Students will learn how the epicenters of earthquakes are determined, and the damage earthquakes can cause. I will be taking students all around the Los Angeles, California area so they can see what living in earthquake country is like!

Week 6

We’ll continue climbing through Earth Science with our lesson on mountain formation! Students will learn about the different types of mountains, how they are formed, the types of plate boundaries where they form, and where they can be found.

Week 7

It’s time to head back in time- to the very beginning. We’ll go all the way back to the Big Bang and learn how Earth itself was actually formed billions of years ago. We won’t only cover the history of the Earth, but the history of scientific principles that led to us understanding just how old our year is. We’ll learn about the different principles that have been applied to determine the age of rocks- both relative and absolute. Then we’re going to learn some chemistry basics so we can better understand the process of radioactive dating and how it works.

Week 8

We’ll start week 8 by digging deep into the topic of fossils! We’ll learn what index fossils are and how they help us to age rocks (and our Earth). Then we’ll start our major study of Earth’s geologic timeline. We’ll be working through the different eons, eras, periods, and epochs for the rest of the class. This week, we’ll learn all about how oxygen formed on Earth, allowing life to follow.

Week 9

Life is now bursting forth on Earth in week 9! And then goes practically extinct…and then bursts forth again…then goes practically extinct…! We’ll follow the progression of life on Earth through geologic time and study the different extinction events and what caused them.

Week 10

We’ll finish up this session of Earth Science by focusing on more “recent” geologic time- the past 100 million years or so! We’ll cover the K-PG boundary (which marks the end of the dinosaurs), the most recent ice age, and visit the La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles to see what they can teach us about more recent extinctions.

All labs are OPTIONAL!

But if you would like to do them, here are the materials you will need each week.

Week 1 lab materials:

water
vinegar
steel wool
3 clear containers with lids
a couple tablespoons of gravel
chalk- the kind that is calcium carbonate based (Prang Hygieia brand on Amazon is PERFECT!!)
½ cup of sand
eyedropper
a straw or piece of paper you can roll up into a straw

Week 4 lab materials:

½ cup dishwashing liquid
6 tablespoons salt
a container to mix it in
something to stir with

Week 5 lab materials:

Slinky toy
geometry compass
ruler

Week 7 lab materials:

1 sheet of paper
scissors
a timer
2 types of coins: You will need 10 of one type of coin (I’ll be using US quarters) and 10 of another type coin (I’ll be using US pennies). Make sure they are two different sizes.

This is Session 3 of 3 in the full-year (24 weeks) Earth Science series.

It is not required, but it is highly recommended that you take these classes in order.

The other sessions in this series include:

Earth Science 1: Mapping, Minerals, and Rocks

CLASS DESCRIPTION

In this final installment of our Earth Science Series, students will be learning about our hydrosphere and atmosphere. We will cover the water cycle, storms, climate (including global warming), our freshwater surface and groundwater supplies, and basic oceanography. Then we will finish up with lessons on Earth’s resources, and the human impact.

I have created educational videos to accompany the course. Some of these will be on site at various areas around the world. Each week, there will be a choice of hands on projects for students to complete to reinforce their knowledge of the material.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1

The first part of this session will be covering the hydrosphere–Earth’s water. This week we’ll cover the water cycle. Then we’ll focus on the “precipitation” part of the water cycle–where does all of that water go and how does it get there? We’ll discuss surface water vs ground water, the factors that contribute to infiltration, the carrying capacities of different types of streams and the different types of loads they carry, and the deposition of those loads. We’ll then turn to lake formation, the different types of lakes, and finish with various types of wetlands.

Week 2

This week we’re going into serious detail on groundwater. Why? Because it’s our most important source of freshwater! We’ll discuss permeability, porosity, and the anatomy of ground water reserves. We’ll then look at how caves, geysers, and springs are formed by groundwater. Finally, we’ll turn to how artisan wells work and the serious problem of groundwater contamination.

Week 3

It’s time for us to dry off and head into the atmosphere! We’ll talk about the gases that make up the atmosphere, the different layers between the surface of the Earth and space and the quite unexpected characteristics of some of those layers! Then we’ll discuss how energy is transferred from the sun to the Earth, and how that energy moves once it gets here. Then we’ll cover how temperature, pressure, and density in the atmosphere affects the Earth, and finish up discussing all of the different types of clouds.

Week 4

Air masses are important to Earth, and this week we’ll be learning all about them! We’ll discuss the Coriolis effect and its role in moving air masses. We’ll zone out with the different wind zones across the globe, areas of high pressure and low pressure, and jet streams. This has all been leading up to WEATHER! We’ll learn about different weather fronts, how they form, the weather they cause, and why they are important in predicting weather. Speaking of weather forecasting, we’ll cover many of the tools used in this not always precise science!

Week 5

BOOM! Thunderstorms! We’ll get to the bottom of the scary, and not so scary, facts about this storms–including how they form, their life cycle, and the types of weather they create. We’ll then learn the shocking details about lightning–the different types, how they form, and safety during lightning storms.

Week 6

We’re expanding on our knowledge of thunderstorms last week to focus on tornadoes! We’ll cover the formation, stages, and how tornadoes are measured. Then we’ll discuss the difference between a watch and a warning, and how to stay safe! We’ll continue our “deadly storm” theme and move into hurricanes- when do they happen, what conditions are necessary for them to form and strengthen, what is the anatomy of a hurricane, and how can you stay safe if one is approaching.

Week 7

This week’s unit is near and dear to my marine biologist heart- oceanography! How did the ocean become salty? What is salinity and what factors affect it? How do waves form and what is their anatomy? What causes the tides and how do they differ between locations and times of the month? We’ll then get moving with currents! What are surface currents and deep currents and how do they contribute to the movement of energy across the globe?

Week 8

We’re spending the rest of the session on an extremely important topic–climate change. This week, we have to start by learning what climate is (and what it is not!). We’ll discuss the many factors that contribute to the climate of an area.

Week 9

Now that we know what climate is (and is not!), it’s time to start taking a long hard look at climate change. What does the science show historically over the past 100+ years since we’ve been recording climate data? What is global warming? Is it the same as climate change? What factors are contributing to the current increased rate of climate change and what is the role of carbon dioxide in the equation? We’ll discuss how the carbon cycle works and what is “breaking” that cycle. Then we’ll look at many of the environmental indicators that show us how climate is rapidly changing.

Week 10

This is our final week, and we’re continuing our study of climate change. We’ll look in depth at sea level rise–why it’s happening and the impacts it will create in the future. We’ll dive into the coral reefs to see what climate change is doing to them. What happens to us if we can not slow down or stop climate change? What events can we expect to see happen (or are happening now) and why? And we finish up with a solid lesson on the science vs climate change deniers. Students will leave this lesson, and the full year of Earth Science, with a strong foundation to make factual, science based arguments rather than emotional ones.

All labs are OPTIONAL!

But if you would like to do them, here is a list of the materials you will need each week.

Week 1 lab materials:

Lab 1:
Salt
fine sand or dirt
gravel
a tall clear container
water
spoon

Lab 2:
water
3 small containers about the same size (You’ll be filling the bottom with about 2 inches (5cm) of the following: clay, sand, and gravel)

Week 2 lab materials:

Lab 1:
2 clear containers (beakers would be GREAT!)
about 1 cup each of gravel and sand
a precise tool for measuring liquids, such as a beaker or graduated cylinder
food coloring

Lab 2:
you will reuse your container with the gravel and water in it
a crayon or colored pencil

Lab 3:
a container with water colored dark from your food coloring
paper towel

Week 3 lab materials:

two 2 liter plastic bottles with caps
boiling water

Week 4 lab materials:

a flashlight
a pencil
a piece of paper

For the worksheet:
one red, one blue, and one purple marker
a crayon or colored pencil

Week 5 lab materials:

Lab 1:
a deep, wide, clear container (something like a clear storage bin will work)
a clear jar or juice glass about half as tall as your container
food coloring

Lab 2:
a balloon
a fluorescent bulb (This is the kind I used, and it worked great!)

Week 6 lab materials:

paper towel roll or anything kind of like that (a long cylinder) you have available