• Fall Kit: Dynamic Earth

    Students explore Earth’s materials and processes, learning about interactions among the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Students study the layers of the Earth, rocks and minerals, and the rock cycle.  Students use indirect evidence to investigate plate tectonics. Students explore how the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition shape landforms on the Earth’s surface. Students examine consequences of natural hazards and engineer solutions to reduce the impact of these disasters to humans.

     

    Fall Topics

    • Earth's Spheres: Atmosphere, Biosphere, Geosphere, Hydrosphere
    • Geologic History
    • Earth Materials
    • Weathering and Erosion
    • Earthquakes and Volcanoes
    • Natural Hazards

     

  • Spring Kit: Space Science

    In the role of NASA engineers, students are challenged to assist on planning a mission to Mars. To prepare for this mission, students develop an understanding of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces, gravity, and inertia on the motion of objects on Earth and on the moon, and investigate the relationships between gravity, weight, mass and acceleration. Additional preparations for the journey include studies of the physical characteristics and orbits the of planets in our solar system, distance and scale, and the relationship between distance and star brightness. Students will research, plan and create an instrument that will collect scientific data on Mars. Safely getting their equipment to Mars requires an investigation of air resistance.

     

    Spring Topics

    • Forces and Motion
    • Gravity and Acceleration
    • Air Resistance
    • The Planets of our Solar System
    • Properties of Stars
    • Constellations & Galaxies
    • Earth & Moon Relationships
    • Star and Planet Formation