Earth Science
Earth’s Place in the Universe
In this unit, students will explore the idea of how the universe may have formed. Students will learn about light and it's composition as well as how it can be used to identify, explain, and predict movements of celestial objects in our galaxy and beyond. Additionally, students will learn how the tools in astronomy and advances in technology are used to acquire information about distant celestial objects and their movements. Working both independently and with their peers, students will explore these concepts using science inquiry skills.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Earth as a System
In this unit, students will uncover the geologic cause and effect of some of the natural phenomenon that takes place on our planet. Students will analyze the interdependence of the fours spheres of Earth and the biogeochemical cycles that are integral to Earth's system and examine evidence to support the earth's composition, structure, and movements. Through the application of the concepts of density, force, heat, and heat transfer, students will be able to understand the forces that cause the movement of tectonic plates and how this movement causes events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Additionally, students will learn how the tools and techniques in geology, along with scientific observation and reasoning, can be used to explain earth's geologic features.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Spectroscopy Lab
Students set out to answer the questions: “How can atoms of different elements emit light of different colors or wavelengths”, and “How can the composition of a star be determined through spectroscopy?” To work toward answering these questions, students first completed this Spectroscopy Lab in which they evaluated the effectiveness of using spectroscopy as a technique for identifying an unknown substance. To do this, students observed the emission spectra of various isolated gases contained in discharge tubes, which is pictured below.
