High Earth-Space Science

SEGMENT 1

Module 01– Beginning with Science

• Earth spheres and systems
• Science processes, observations, and inferences
• Steps of the Scientific Method
• Science vs. pseudoscience
• Theory vs. law
• Units of Measurements
• Precision and accuracy
• Dimensional analysis
• Weight Versus Mass
• Volume and Density
• Physical Properties of Matter
• Atomic theory and structure
• Fundamental Forces
• States of matter
• Heat and energy

 

Module 02 – Climate and Meteorology

• Water cycle
• Water conservation
• Wind energy
• Composition and structure of Earth’s atmosphere
• Weather vs climate
• Measuring, detecting, and predicting weather
• Factors of severe weather
• Human impact on global climate
• Earth-Sun-Moon relationships

 

Module 03 – Fresh Water

• Distribution of surface water
• Hydroelectric power
• Groundwater processes and geological features
• Sources and types of water pollution
• Water management and conservation

 

Module 04 – Our Universe

• Life cycle of stars
• Properties of waves
• Star energy and radiation
• Gravitational forces
• Big bang and supporting evidence
• Electromagnetic radiation and technology

 

Module 05 – Rocks and Minerals

• Properties of minerals
• Identifying rocks and minerals
• Rock cycle
• Rocks and minerals as resources
• Formation of soils
• Geological features formed by rock cycle

SEGMENT 2

Module 06 – Geologic Time

• Major events of Earth’s history
• Fossil and rock dating
• Conditions of early Earth
• Development of life

 

Module 07 – Oceans

• Ocean structure and composition
• Ocean currents and circulation
• Interaction of ocean and climate
• Energy transfer through waves
• Ocean tides
• Ocean impact on other systems

 

Module 08 – Our Solar System

• Formation of the solar system
• Gravity and planetary motion
• Structure of the solar system
• Properties of Planets
• Creation of moon
• Seasons
• Tides
• Eclipses
• Moon Phases

 

Module 09 – The Geosphere

• Structure of the Earth
• Earth’s characteristics and composition
• Carbon cycle
• Continental drift
• Plate tectonics
• Land formations
• Types of faults
• Weathering and erosion
• Earthquakes
• Volcanic activity

Household items for lab experiments

Besides engaging students in challenging curriculum, the course guides students to reflect on their learning and evaluate their progress through a variety of assessments. Assessments can be in the form of practice lessons, multiple-choice questions, writing assignments, projects, lab activities, research papers, oral assessments, and discussions. This course will use the state-approved grading scale. Each course contains a mandatory final exam or culminating project that will be weighted at 20% of the student’s overall grade.

***Proctored exams can be requested by FLVS at any time and for any reason in an effort to ensure academic integrity. When taking the exam to assess a student’s integrity, the exam must be passed with at least a 59.5% in order to earn credit for the course. 

To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers; the minimum requirement is monthly. When teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.