There are three perspectives from which to understand the physical universe around us: The Atomic Level [quantum physics]The Molecular Level [chemical/cellular level]The Macroscopic Level [physics, planetary science, and climatology] Finally, we will combine these three perspectives into one perspective that clearly shows how the three levels result in the superorganism we call Earth, our beautiful home to which we owe our very existence. We will utilize lectures, games, simulations, group work, video clips, discussions,  & extra-credit options. No previous knowledge is needed for we will journey from the beginning of the universe to the formation of our solar system, planet, and most importantly life! We will move slowly, but surely and look at these difficult scientific concepts in a way that is easier to grasp (plus, we will have a lot of fun, so that's a bonus! :) On our journey of scientific discovery we will be looking at the field of geology, but we will touch upon, astrophysics, chemistry, meteorology, ecology, and quantum physics to truly understand the nature of the world around us. 

We will meet thrice weekly for 55 mins (labeled below as a,b,c). Every other week, DAY C will alternate between a test/assessment and laboratory/group work. In the final week, we will have each group present a final 10-minute project of their choosing. 

WEEK #1: Where did all this "stuff" come from?
a. Beginning of the Universe
b. Evolution of Universe & formation of Elements 
c. LAB: Periodic Table of Elements
WEEK #2:  How the "stuff" came to Earth
a. Formation of Sun & Solar System
b. Formation of Earth
c. Review & Test
WEEK #3:  The "stuff" becomes our continents 
a. Continents 
b. Continental Drift 
c. LAB: Geological Timescale
WEEK #4: How "stuff" breaks apart and comes back together again 
a. Plate Tectonics
b. Cycles of creation and destruction 
c. review & test
WEEK #5: Getting a "crystalized understanding of "stuff"
a.  How minerals form 
b.  Classifying minerals
c. LAB: Identifying Mineral Types
WEEK #6: "stuff" that rocks! 1
a.  Igneous rocks 1
b. Igneous rocks 2
c. review & test
WEEK #7: "stuff that rocks! 2
a. Sedimentary rocks 1
b. Sedimentary Rocks 2
c. review & test 
WEEK #8: "stuff that rocks! 3
a. Metamorphic rocks 1
b. Metamorphic rocks 2
c. LAB: Identifying Rocks
WEEK # 9:  "stuff" that erupts! 1
a. Intro to volcanism
b. Three types of Volcanic Sites
c. LAB: Underwater Volcanoes & Astrobiology
WEEK #10: "stuff" that erupts! 2
a. Three types of Eruptions: cinder cone, shield, or strato
b. Magma and eruption classification
c. review & test
WEEK #11: "stuff" that erupts! 3
a. Supervolcanoes & Hot-Spots
b. Hawaii and Yellowstone Park
c. LAB: Make a Volcano
WEEK #12:  "stuff" is heavy because of Gravity
a. The force of Gravity
b. Mass Wasting 
c. review & test
WEEK #13: How  "stuff" gets wasted away! 
a.  Mass Wasting Processes
b. Types of Wasting: flow, slide, and falls
c. LAB:  wasting in action
WEEK #14: How "stuff" decomposes and why
a. Water 
b. Weathering
c. review & test
WEEK #15: Soil and Life 1
a. Soil and life
b. Types of Soil 
c. LAB: Climate and soil
WEEK #16: Soil and Life 2
a. Complex origin of Soil
b. Climate determines types of soil
c. review & test
WEEK #17: How "stuff erodes
a. Streams
b. Erosion
c. LAB: Termination of Streams
WEEK #18: why "stuff" looks the way it does
a. evolution of the landscape
b. role of glaciers 
c. review & test
WEEK #19: Projects on "stuff"
a. project presentations 1
b. project presentations 2
c. review session 
WEEK #20:  Final Exams 
a. complete review session 
b. exam 1
c.  exam 2