Course Description

This course is designed for students to master a basic understanding of the interdependence of the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere and how man's activities alter them. Readings of societal decisions as they relate to the environmental issues will be critiqued. Students will be provided with a synopsis of and a scoring guide for each of the performance projects they are to complete. The course is self-paced and students will be required to reach a level of mastery in each of the objectives before moving to the next area of study. Homework will be dependent on the student's level of mastery. Students will be able to individualize their learning and apply their learning to everyday events.

Rationale

This course provides a review and extension of concepts delineated by the Missouri science frameworks. It is part of a 4-semester course for 9th and 10th grade students with the objective to increase the student's level of achievement as measured by the MAP science tests.

Course Goals

  • {Course Goals}

COMPETENCIES AND STATE ALIGNMENT
Competency
Activities
 Assessment
1. Identify the processes that change minerals and rocks, their uses, and factors that affect the soil formation in an ecosystem.
  • "Rock Cycle" Activity
  • Mineral/Rock ID and Uses Lab
  • Soil Testing Lab
  • "Planning for Gold" Lab
  • Mineral/Rock Lab Practical
  • Unit Test
  • Final Exam
2. Analyze the crustal plate movements that provide evidence of the geologic time scale, and their effects on geologic activities still occuring.
  • "Mystery of the Far Flung Fossile" Lab
  • "Geologic Time Scale"
  • Lab: Plate Tectonics
  • Activity: Tracking Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions
  • Continental Drift Research Paper
  • Unit Test
  • Final Exam
3. Identify technology that has enhanced our ability to detect & monitor patterns in the Earth's circulation of air and water, driven by the sun, causing regional weather and climate.
  • "Stream Table" Lab
  • "F.E.M.A. Furor" Lab
  • "El Nino" Lab
  • "Tracking Hurricanes" Lab
  • Activity: Weather Forecasting
  • Weather Forecast (videotaped oral report)
  • Unit Test
  • Final Exam
4. Analyze the normal cycles elements follow through ecosystems. Design a balanced aquatic ecosystem, so that overpopulation will not occur, leading to depletion of resources and elimination of species.
  • "Water Cycle" Lab
  • Food Webs and Energy Flow Lab
  • "Nitrogen Cycle" Activity
  • "Water Quality Testing" Lab
  • "Landfill Biodegradation" Lab
  • Aquarium Design/Journal
  • Unit Test
  • Final Exam
5. Design a biosphere capable of supporting human life, including flora and fauna necessary to sustain it, protecting the bodiversity (and stability) or the ecosystem, and ensuring the resource needs of successive generations.
  • Activity: "Demographic Changes"
  • Activity: "Population Dynamics"
  • Activity: "Food Production"
  • Lab: "Human Population Growth"
  • Lab: "Renewable Energy Resources"
  • Final Exam- Multiple Choice Portion
  • Biosphere Performance Event

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