Course Description
This course develops students’ understanding of Earth and its place in the universe. Students will investigate the properties of and forces in the universe and solar system, and analyse techniques scientists use to generate knowledge about them. Students will closely examine the materials of Earth, its internal and superficial processes, its geological history, and will learn how Earth’s systems interact and how they have changed over time. Throughout the course, students will learn how these forces, processes, and materials affect their daily lives. The course draws on biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics in its consideration of geological and astronomical processes that can be observed directly or inferred from other evidence.
Course Strands with links
- Unit 1 Astronomy
- Unit 2 Planetary Science
- Unit 3 Recording Earth’s Geological History
- Unit 4 Earth Materials
- Unit 5 Geological Processes
The Content
The course runs for a total of 110 hours. The lessons outlined below are all structured for 100 minutes of instruction time, unless otherwise stated.
The 110 hours also includes additional time that may be allocated for assignments, tests and the independent study unit, at the teacher’s discretion.
The first and second lesson are free! Then individual lessons are priced at $5 or the whole course at $105
$105.00Add to cart
- Introduction Materials
- First Day Handout [see whole course resources below]
- Independent Study Unit [see whole course resources below]
- Unit 1 – Astronomy: In this unit, students will learn about the techniques to take and to analyze measurements of celestial objects. Students will learn about the formation of the universe and what kinds of evidence led to that conclusion. And then the students will learn how the electromagnetic spectrum is used as a tool to measure the distance and intensity of stars. Students will also examine stars in more depth to understand their structures and lifespans. Students will be able to conclude the overview of galaxies and how they are classified.
- Unit 2 – Planetary Science: In this unit, students will learn about the structure of the Solar system through different techniques, including the exploration of the physical content in the field of astronomy. Students will then learn how the techniques and physical knowledge apply to the discovery of formation of Solar system and how these techniques are used to further explore the Solar system. Students will explore more about the life development on Earth and potential life in other planets. After the study of the planetary science, students will then focus on the techniques used to reveal geology and the techniques used to approximate the history of rocks and the history of Earth.
- Unit 3 – Recording Earth’s Geological History: In this unit, students will first learn about the techniques and methods used to take and to analyze measurements in geology. Then students will concentrate on the application of these to discover and to explore the dynamics of Earth.
- Lesson 2 – Relative Age Dating
- Lesson 3 – Absolute Age Dating
- Lesson 4 – The Story of Earth | Part 1
- Lesson 5 – The Story of Earth | Part 2
- Lesson 6 – The Formation of Fossils
- Lesson 7 – Invasive Species
- Lesson 8 – Dendrochronology
- Lesson 9 – Evolution
- Lesson 10 – Mass Extinctions
- Lesson 11 – Graphing Paleoclimates
- Lesson 12 – Index Fossil Activity
- Unit 4 – Earth Materials: In this unit, students will learn about geological processes like erosion and weathering through investigation, and their impacts on human actives and landscapes. Then students will learn about different types of rocks, including sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks and igneous rocks. The study will include the formation of rocks, properties of rocks and use of rocks. Students will also investigate different minerals and their formation. Students will develop the knowledge of the methods used to analyze and to explore minerals.
- Unit 5 – Geological Processes: In this unit, students will study the theory of plate tectonics. They will learn about plate boundaries and why the Earth’s crust moves. They will also learn about the formation of earthquakes, volcanoes and glaciers, and how they are measured. Students will also learn basic Geographical Information Systems (GIS) skills.
Assignments
Available within the relevant lessons:
- Assignment 1.1 | Astronomy Project
- Assignment 1.2 | Properties of Stars
- Assignment 2.1 | Space Initiatives
- Assignment 2.2 | Flat Earth Essay
- Assignment 2.3 | What is Out There?
- Assignment 2.4 | Life on Mars…
- Assignment 3.1 | Geological Wonders
- Assignment 3.2 | Relative Dating Cake Creation
- Assignment 3.3 | Measuring Paleoclimates
- Assignment 3.4 | Mass Extinctions
- Assignment 4.1 | The Rock Cycle Narrative
- Assignment 4.2 | Rock Identification
- Assignment 5.1 | Remote Sensing
- Assignment 5.2 | Plate Tectonics
- Assignment 5.3 | Plate Tectonics Graham Crackers
- Assignment 5.4 | Earthquakes
- Assignment 5.5 | Predicting Earthquakes
Whole Course Resources
These resources are available to those with access to the whole course:
- Final Exam
- External Resources List
If you have already purchased access, please Login Here
Alternately, purchase access below, or access the first and second lesson free above!
-
Sale!
SES4U – Whole Course
$105.00
Add to cart