Week 1
Lesson 1
Introduction to Earth Science & the Formation of the Earth
In this class I give an overview of the course, covering the basics principles of Earth Science and the main topics we will cover. I also point out the many exciting careers that studying Earth Science can lead to and do a brief introduction into the formation of the Earth.
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Geology 1: Mineral & Gems - Definition & Identification
In this class we define what a Mineral is and what makes some minerals precious Gems. We then look at where and how precious metals are mined.
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Geology 2: Rock Types & the Principles of Geology
In this class we cover the 3 main rock types (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) and explore how they relate and transform into each other. We then look at the main Principles of Geology and examine how they help us understand the rock formations around us.
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Environmental Science 1: Soil, Erosion & Weathering
In this class we move on to study Physical Geography and Environmental Science and look at the different forms of weathering and how they lead to soil formation. We then look at how this soil can be too easily lost to erosion and different types of landslides.
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Environmental Science 2: Running Water, Rivers & Aquifers
In this class we turn our attention to running surface water and how rivers and streams shape the surface of the Earth around us. We look at the different stages of rivers and see how they relate to erosions and sedimentation, which is a crucial part of the rock cycle.
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Geology 3: Plate Tectonics - Science in Progress
In this class we look at one case study of how science progresses by following the story of Alfred Wegener and how his theory of Continental Drift, eventually became accepted and developed into modern Plate Tectonics. We then examine the 3 main plate boundaries and look at examples of the formations these make around the globe.
 Week 7
Lesson 7
Geology 4: Igneous Rocks: Lava Lakes, Killer Ash & Volcanoes
In this class we study Intrusive Igneous Rocks that form from magma chambers that cool inside the ground. Then we look at Extrusive Igneous Rocks and the main lava and pyroclastic formations.
 Week 8
Lesson 8
Geology 5: Sedimentary Rocks: Fossils, Faults & Folds
In this class we cover the basics of the different types of sedimentary rocks and how to identify them. We then learn about different types of fossils, faults and folds and learn how to become rock detectives.
 Week 9
Lesson 9
Geology 6: The Dinosaur Extinction: Asteroid or Volcanoes?
In this class we revisit sedimentary rocks but focus on the evidence left in the rock record around 66 million years ago when the Dinosaurs went extinct. We analyse the evidence for whether the dinosaurs were made extinct by a huge meteor strike or was it millions of years of volcanic activity instead.
 Week 10
Lesson 10
Oceanography 1: The Ocean Floor & Ocean Currents
In this class we look at the structure of the oceans, all along the seafloor to where the coast is eroded by waves. We look at global ocean currents and what difference they make to the climates near them.
 Week 11
Lesson 11
Meteorology 1: Atmosphere, Clouds  & Rain
In this class we look at how the atmosphere and clouds work. We start by looking at the basics of heat transfers across the Earth and then see how this control humidity and condensation. We finish by looking at cloud formations and why sometimes it rains and sometimes it doesn't.
 Week 12
Lesson 12
Meteorology 2: Weather Patterns & Tornadoes
In this class we apply what we learnt in the last class to local, regional and global weather systems. We study air pressure and how this determines where the big storms gather. We then look at tornadoes and how and where they form.
 Week 13
Lesson 13
Space Science 1: Introduction to Astronomy
In this class we analyse the early Astronomers that changed our view of ourselves and our place in the universe. We study the early theories that moved us from an Earth-centric view of the Solar System to the Helio-Centric view we hold today.
 Week 14
Lesson 14
Space Science 2: the Solar System, Galaxy & Universe
In this class we examine how the Solar System and all the planets formed, before heading out beyond the Solar System to look at different shaped Galaxies and how we know the Universe is expanding.
 Week 15
Lesson 15
Earth Systems 1: Hurricanes, El Nino & Snowball Earth
In this class we bring everything we have learnt together and look at interconnected Earth Systems. We explore how the oceans, atmosphere, the continents and the biosphere interact to make this amazing planet that we live on.