Issues and Earth Science (IAES)

Unit A
Studying Soils Scientifically

Students study the properties of different types of soils in the context of preparing a school garden. They investigate soil profiles, organic and inorganic components, use of fertilizers, and soil mapping.

Unit B
Rocks and Minerals

Students investigate properties of rocks and minerals as they consider questions related to use of our natural resources. Physical properties of individual specimens, such as luster, hardness, and color are investigated, as are main rock types—sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic—and how rocks change from one form to another in the rock cycle.

Unit C
Erosion and Deposition

Students investigate the destructive forces of wind, wave, and water on landforms as they decide where to build homes. Stream tables and topographic maps are used, respectively, to study river action and deposition of sediments, and landform contours.

Unit D
Plate Tectonics

Students explore the structure of the earth—the core, matle, and crust—and learn how the slow movements of large plates of the earth’s surface help shape its features, including continents and oceans. They investigate earthquakes and volcanoes as they examine plans to deposit radioactive wastes in areas of relative seismic stability.

Unit E
Weather and Atmosphere

Students investigate local and extreme weather conditons, climate and rainfall patterns, wind, the water cycle, and examine the root cause of weather and climate, namely the distribution of solar energy over the earth. Wind and the atmosphere are studied in depth..

Unit F
Earth in Space

Students study the Earth’s rotation, the causes of the seasons, shadows, movement of the moon, actions and causes of the tides, and review several calendars developed over the years to mark the passage of time.

Unit G
Exploring the Solar System

Students explore the earth’s role in the solar system, our planetary neighbors, the nioght sky, gravity, remote sensing, relative and absolute distances, and issues in space travel.