Foundations in Geology

In this 10- week course, learners will be able to explore the world around them through a series of topics that form the foundation of geology. This is a collaborative class in which meetings will contain lecture, videos, question and answer, and discussion.  Enrichment activities will be assigned for completion after class meetings to enhance positive learner outcomes. 

Live meetings will begin with a short review from the previous lesson before moving into lecture and discussion with question and answers. All learners are encouraged to participate as this is a collaborative course. 

Each week you can expect to find all necessary topic information for that week posted in the class by Sunday. You will find the following information that we will work through during class and in the discussion area of the class page.

1. A PDF of related geology terms with their definitions
2. A PDF of lecture-related content for review
3. All handouts that may be necessary for that week's topic
4. Any updated list of supplies that may be necessary during the week. Most items necessary for the class will be household items but in some instances you may find that you need to make a small purchase for items you do not have on hand. Cost will be kept to a minimum and if any learner is unable to participate, I will create an alternative activity. 
5. Instructions for Labs or Activities 

We will follow the schedule outlined below for this course.

Week 1: Introduction to Geology/Map Skills/ Topographic and Geologic Mapping
Week 2: Minerals/ The Rock Cycle/ Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous Rocks
Week 3: Plate Tectonics/ Earthquakes
Week 4: Volcanoes/ Weathering
Week 5: The Water Cycle/ Glaciers
Week 6: Shorelines/ Deserts
Week 7: Geologic Time/ Fossils
Week 8: Environmental Hazards/ Natural Resources
Week 9: Rivers/  Geologic Research
Week 10: Final Project (TBA)/ Final Project and Course Wrap-Up


We will have a final project that will be announced at Week 5 of the course. Any learner who cannot or does not want to participate will be given an alternative assignment, if requested. 

I am looking forward to a very exciting class!