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Earth Science

The Physical Setting: Earth Science is a New York State high school course and exam that explores the processes, history, and systems of our planet and its place in the universe while developing skills in observation, measurement, and data analysis.

Intro to Earth Science

This topic is an introduction to Earth Science and what students are going to learn throughout the course of the year. It will dive into all the topics that we will cover and serve as a guide to our journey as we will learn to think like a scientist and uncover the story of Earth.

Foundations

This topic will review concepts in earth science that have previously been discussed and will expand upon the principles that help us interpret planet Earth. As we move throughout the year, we will revisit these concepts and apply our knowledge to specific topics.

Measuring Earth

This topic will help you learn about Earth's true shape, the different spheres in and around Earth and interpreting various types of maps. It focuses on latitude and longitude and applies that to more detailed topographic maps used by geologists and other earth scientists.

Old World Map
Antelope Canyon

Minerals and Rocks

This topic looks at minerals and rocks and helps us to understand the different properties needed to identify them. We will focus on minerals and how they are the building blocks of rocks and we will show how we can no longer live without these resources.

Plate Tectonics

In this topic we will take a look at how the Theory of Plate Tectonics developed and provide concrete evidence that support the theory. We will place emphasis on the different types of volcanoes around the world and the potential hazards that they impose on mankind.

tilted.jpg
eq.JPG

Earthquakes

In this topic we will focus on Earth's interior and how, through the use of seismic data, we have come to understand the different properties within Earth. We will also focus on earthquake waves, their properties, and how we use p-waves and s-waves to locate an epicenter.

Geologic Time

In this topic we will learn about the beginnings of Earth and the extreme changes it has undergone. We will also focus on how major extinction periods throughout geologic history have changed the development of life on Earth and see how Earth Scientists date rocks and geologic events.

Image by Jon Butterworth
Glacier

Surface Processes

In this topic we will look at surface processes and the mechanisms that help shape our planet Earth. We will also focus on the different agents of erosion and be able to identify the erosional and depositional geologic features that each of them create over time.

Solar System

In this topic we look at the beginnings of astronomy and see how technology has allowed mankind to gain a better understanding of our place in the sky. We will focus on the heliocentric model and learn about the different motions and parts of our solar system.

earth.jpg
Image by Guillermo Ferla

Modern Astronomy

In this topic we look at the beginnings of astronomy and see how technology has allowed mankind to gain a better understanding of our Universe. We will focus on the heliocentric model and learn about how Earth fits into the Solar System, Galaxy and Universe.

Weather

In this topic, we will explore how weather variables are connected and how a change in one can influence another. Our focus will be on identifying different weather patterns and examining how they impact various regions, helping us better understand the complex interactions.

Hurricane Map
Image by Derek Oyen

Water and Climate

In this topic we will focus on long term weather patterns and see how the changing Earth is responsible for creating unique areas of our planet. We will also take a closer look at the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming, exploring how these processes influence climate patterns over time.

Resources

You've come to the right place for additional resources. Whether it's time to get ready for the big exam or download the complete laboratory manual... we've got you covered. Below is a printable laboratory manual and review for each of the topics listed above.

Earth from Space

Earth and Space Sciences

Here's the new Earth and Space Sciences curriculum that is aligned with New York State Science Learning Standards [NYSSLS] and NGSS.

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