Linkonlearning Earth Science

EARTH SCIENCE

What is Earth Science? It’s the study of our planet and the processes that operate to
make it look, feel, and behave like our home world. These processes take place in the
interior of the earth, on its surface, in its oceans, and within the envelope of air around it.
Earth Science also extends to the earth-moon system and outward to the solar system and
universe.
Specific disciplines examined in this Earth Science course include, geology,
oceanography, meteorology, paleontology, and astronomy. Environmental sciences are
mixed throughout as they apply to the studies at hand. Human interaction with the
physical world and that world’s impact on human society is also an important part of our
examination of Earth Science.
A spiral approach is taken to Earth Science in this course, in that processes are
introduced when appropriate to the discussion but we return to them as they apply during
later units. No earth processes exist without interaction with others so the spiral approach
best reflects the actual physical world.
This course uses a large array of websites created by U.S. Federal programs such as the
National Aeronautic and Space Administration, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration, United States Geographical Survey, National Park Service, and many
more, including university and professional educational sites.
Units are generally scheduled to have five lessons that are designed to take 50 minutes,
each, to complete however some students will take less time and some more, particularly
as they visit sites that provoke additional investigations. The Link on Learning program
provides a tracking system for time spent on the course work, including time spent visiting
sites, and records this information for the student record and for future planning.

Unit Descriptions:

1. Not Just Rock-it Science. Introduction to the study of Earth Science and the concept
of continuous earth processes.
a. Lesson One - What is Earth Science?-What topics earth science covers. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - What is Science?-Science: the collection and analysis of data. 50
minutes
c. Lesson Three - Observations and Hypothesis-Science: observation and
hypothesis. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Experimentation-Science: the experimental process. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Working Backwards-Looking for signs of science happening around
you. 50 minutes

2. Where Does the Energy Come From to Create What We See? A study of the
energy sources and their transformations that power all earth processes.
a. Lesson One - Energy for Earth Processes-The nature of energy in earth processes.
50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Gravity-Hydroelectric power. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Geothermal Heat Energy-Geothermal energy. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Compression and Friction-Heat energy within the earth. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Fossil Fuels-Fossil fuels. 50 minutes

3. Where Did All These Rocks Come From? An introduction to the rock cycle and
igneous rock formation and composition.
a. Lesson One - The Rock Cycle-Introduction to the rock cycle. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Igneous Rock-The origins of igneous rock. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Minerals-The composition of igneous rock. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Fireworks and Minerals-Effects of chemical composition of igneous
rock. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Mineral Ores-Minerals and mining. 50 minutes

4. Where Did Sedimentary Rocks Come From? A study of sedimentary rocks,
deposition processes, and features associated with sedimentary layering.
a. Lesson One - Sedimentary Rock-The origins of sedimentary rock. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Sedimentary Rock Stories-Evidence of past environments. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Kinds of Sedimentary Rock-Types of sedimentary rock. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Fossils Evidence-Introduction to fossils. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Sedimentary Rocks on Mars-Extraterrestrial sedimentary rock
features. 50 minutes

5. Where Did Metamorphic Rocks Come From? Examination of the origin of heat and
pressure for metamorphic rock deformation.
a. Lesson One - Metamorphic Rock-The origins of metamorphic rock. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Where Metamorphic Rocks Form-Forces that create metamorphic
rock. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Heat for Metamorphism-Cascades National Park field trip. 50
minutes
d. Lesson Four - Where Metamorphic Rocks are Found-Cascades National Park field
trip (cont.). 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Rock Type Review-Rock Cycle summary. 50 minutes

6. What Are All These Rocks Made of…Smaller Rocks? Investigation of minerals,
their properties, and mineral identification.
a. Lesson One - Mineral Characteristics: Color, Streak-Mineral characteristics: color,
streak. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Mineral Characteristics: Luster, Crystals, Cleavage-Mineral
characteristics: luster, crystal form, cleavage, hardness. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Mineral Characteristics: Hardness-Mineral characteristics:
fracture, specific gravity, acid reactions, magnetism. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Mineral Characteristics: Fracture, Specific Gravity- Mineral
identification in the field. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Identifying Minerals-Mineral identification in the lab. 50 minutes

7. Why Isn’t the Earth’s Surface Smoother? Covers mechanical and chemical
weathering, the effects of running water, acid rain, groundwater features, erosion, and
mass wasting.
a. Lesson One - Mechanical Weathering-The mechanical weathering process. 50
minutes
b. Lesson Two - Chemical Weathering-The chemical weathering process. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Groundwater-Underground water. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Erosion-Erosion processes: surface water. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Mass Wasting-Erosion processes: mass wasting. 50 minutes

8. What’s Shaking? A study of earthquakes, their patterns of occurrence, the science of
prediction, and the history of some famous earthquakes.
a. Lesson One - Earthquakes-Introduction to earthquakes. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Earthquake Motion-Earthquake movements and faults. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Earthquake Magnitude-Destructive power of earthquakes. 50
minutes
d. Lesson Four - Earthquake-Prone Areas- Earthquake-prone regions. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Earthquake Preparations-Preparedness strategies in earthquake
regions. 50 minutes

9. Where’s it Shaking? Covers the measurement and location of earthquake epicenters
using triangulation and seismographs. Also investigates the relationship between island
chains, oceanic trenches, and earthquakes. Introduces continental drift theory.
a. Lesson One - Locating Earthquake Centers-Mapping the location of earthquakes.
50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Earthquake Patterns-Worldwide patterns of earthquake activity. 50
minutes
c. Lesson Three - The Ring of Fire-Relationship between earthquakes, mountains, and
island chains. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Continental Drift-Plate Tectonics-Movement of continents over
geologic time. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Tsunamis-Tsunami ocean waves. 50 minutes

10.Why Are There Still Mountains? Is Gravity a Law, or What?   Follows up on the
introduction of continental drift with a more thorough look at the mechanics behind plate
tectonics and the features associated with this earth process.
a. Lesson One - Convection Moves the Crust-Causes of earthquakes. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Features of Plate Tectonics-Diverging crustal plates. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Ring of Fire Features-Colliding (subsiding) crustal plates. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Types of Volcanoes-Types of volcanoes. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Plate Tectonics Research Paper-Investigation of relationships
between earthquakes, volcanoes, ridges, and trenches. 50 minutes

11.Research Makes the Man (and Woman.) A formal outlined and cited research
paper on Dr. Alfred Wegener’s original evidence and arguments for continental drift,
including a summary of arguments against his theory and the effect the theory had on
future scientific research.
a. Lesson One - Research on Continental Drift-Research paper: Continental Drift.
250 minutes

12.What Else Shapes the Land? A look at erosional features that result from running
water associated with valleys and river systems includes flood plains, drainage patterns
and deltas. Wind erosion features are also covered.
a. Lesson One - Rivers and Erosion-River valleys, floodplains and levees. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - River Features-Mature river drainage patterns. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Canyons-River canyons, buttes and volcanic necks. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Glaciers-Valley glacial landform features. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Wind Erosion- Wind-related landform features. 50 minutes

13.Water and Ice.   After a review of dams and a discussion of the pros and cons of their
impact on society and nature, the unit goes into glacial erosion and deposition features.
a. Lesson One - Dams-River valleys, floodplains, and levees. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - New Orleans Flooding Problems-Analysis of New Orleans flood
control strategies. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Glacial Evidence-Analysis of New Orleans flood control (cont.). 50
minutes
d. Lesson Four - Alpine Glacier Features-Mountain glaciers. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Continental Glacier Features-Continental glaciers. 50 minutes

14.Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Drop to Drink… Maybe.   Discussion of water
as a natural resource and its distribution over the earth. Groundwater features are
covered as well as a discussion of contamination and acid rain.
a. Lesson One - The Water Cycle-The water cycle. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Distribution of Rain-Maintaining a supply of fresh water. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Rain-making- Artificial rainmaking controversy. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Fresh Water-Acid rain concerns. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Water Properties-United States Geological Survey Water Quiz. 50
minutes

15.Why Isn’t the Entire Earth’s Surface Earthen? Examines ocean basins and where
they came from. Includes shoreline features as well as coral reefs, atolls, and a review of
ridges and trenches.
a. Lesson One - Ocean Water-Introduction to oceans. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Origin of Oceans-Origin of oceans. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Ocean Characteristics-Nature and physical description of the ocean
bed. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Ocean Bottom Features-Ocean bottom features. 50 minutes
e. Lesson Five - Coral Reefs-Coral reefs. 50 minutes

16.Going With the Flow. A world view of ocean currents and general impact of the
Coriolis Effect on water movement throughout the ocean networks. Includes wave
mechanics and El Nino. Shoreline erosion features beyond those introduced in Unit 15
are covered.
a. Lesson One - Ocean Waves-Ocean waves. 50 minutes
b. Lesson Two - Ocean Currents-Ocean currents. 50 minutes
c. Lesson Three - Shoreline Waves-Shoreline waves and currents. 50 minutes
d. Lesson Four - Shoreline Physical Features-Shoreline erosional features. 50
minutes
e. Lesson Five - Electrical Power From Oceans-Generating electricity by using ocean
resources. 50 minutes

17.Global Warming Research Paper. The second formal outlined and cited research
paper for the semester. Addresses the evidence for and against global warming and the
implications it may have on human society.
a. Lesson One - Global Warming Research Paper Instructions-Global warming
research paper. 250 minutes

18.Semester Test