Students can join anytime as each class can be accessed as stand alone subject even though all the classes connect together to make a full course.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a lecture style class with opportunity for questions and not an interactive "join in" class - therefore it may be more suited to advanced students and could be challenging for students who are at the younger end of the age bracket. All students will get a certificate of attendance with grades if requested.

▬▬▬▬▬▬  CLASS INTRO ▬▬▬▬▬
Welcome to the "Intro to Earth Science" course, which focuses on some of the most dramatic physical forces on Earth, with the aim of making learning fun and exhilarating. I think making lessons enjoyable and bringing science to life is the best way to get kids engaged and learning without realising it. My classes focuses on all the main topics of Earth Science: Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography and the Solar System. No previous experience necessary. This is simplified version of my Earth Science classes adapted to be suitable for younger children. Please note that children in the lower end of the age range may find some topics slightly advanced for them.

THIS CLASS continues into Semester 2 (at the same day and time) from the 2nd week in January for the Spring Semester. But you can also just do Semester 1 and cancel at the end of the Fall Semester.

▬▬▬▬▬ SCHEDULE  ▬▬▬▬▬
Next Semester starts in late August or Early September - Thursdays start one week earlier and Mondays one week later than the dates stated below which are for Tues and Weds. Autumn term runs until 19th December 2024 at latest.  Thursday classes have one week off for Thanksgiving on the 28th of November. Spring Semester starts in the 2nd week of January 2024 from the 6th January.

THIS CLASS CAN BE EXTENDED TO MAKE A FULL YEAR CLASS when combined with Semester 2.  Semester 1 & 2 can be taken in any order.

▬▬▬▬▬ AUTUMN SEMESTER 1 ▬▬▬▬▬
Tues and Weds class dates (Thurs & Mon are one week earlier and one week later respectively)
1) Weeks starting 2 Sept  -  INTRO TO EART SCIENCE & RELATED CAREERS
2) Week starting 9 Sept  - PRECIOUS MINERALS, METALS AND MINING GEOLOGY
3) Week starting 16 Sept   - THE ROCK CYCLE AND THE FORMATION OF THE EARTH & PLANETS
4) Week starting 23 Sept  - THE STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH - SEISMOLOGY & MAGNETISM OF THE EARTH
5) Week starting 30 Sept  - SEDIMENTARY ROCKS - FOSSILS, FAULTS AND FOLDS
6) Week starting 7 Oct  - THE DINOSAUR EXTINCTION - CAUSED BY VOLCANOES OR ASTEROID?
7) Week starting 14 Oct  - THE CARBON CYCLE, OIL EXPLORATION, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND GLOBAL WARMING
8)  Week starting 21 Oct  - IGNEOUS ROCKS VOLCANOES, KILLER ASH & LAVA STRUCTURES
9)  Week starting 28 Oct  - SOIL, EROSION AND WEATHERING
10) Week starting 4 Nov  - RIVERS, GLACIERS & DESERTS
11) Week starting 11 Nov   - THE ATMOSPHERE - MOISTURE, CLOUDS AND RAIN
12) Week starting 18 Nov   - WEATHER PATTERNS, AIR PRESSURE & EXTREME WEATHER
Thursday classes have week break for Thanksgiving on 28th Nov 2024
13) Week starting 25 Nov -  THE OCEAN FLOOR AND OCEAN SYSTEMS
14) Week starting 2 Dec   -  OCEAN WATER, RESOURCES AND LIFE
15) Week starting 9 Dec    - EARTH SYSTEMS
16) Week starting 16 Dec - DRAMATIC EARTH SCIENCE EVENTS 1

▬▬▬▬ SPRING SEMESTER 2 ▬▬▬▬
Weeks starting 6 Jan 2025    1) HISTORY OF THE EARTH - PART 1 - THE CONTINENTS
Week starting 13 Jan   2) HISTORY OF THE EARTH - PART 2 - LIFE ON EARTH
Week starting 20 Jan   3) ROCK TYPES AND GEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES
Week starting 27 Jan     4) MINERALS & GEMS IDENTIFICATION
Week starting 3 Feb    5) PLATE TECTONICS
Week starting 10 Feb    6) SEDIMENTARY ROCKS &  FOSSILS
Week starting 17 Feb   7) IGNEOUS ROCKS & VOLCANOES
Week starting 24 Feb    8) LAST HOUR OF THE DINOSAURS
Week starting 3 Mar    9) GEOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA
Week starting 10 Mar    10) EARTH SCIENCE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM   
Week starting 17 Mar     11) EARTH SCIENCE of VENUS AND THE MOON
Week starting 24 Mar    12) EARTH SCIENCE of MARS
Week starting 31 Mar      13) EARTH SCIENCE of OTHER MOONS
Week starting 7 Apr      14) WEATHER SYSTEMS
Week starting 14 Apr      15) CLIMATE CHANGE
Week starting 21 Apr       16) DRAMATIC EARTH SCIENCE EVENTS 2
Week Starting 28 Apr    17) DRAMATIC EARTH SCIENCE EVENTS 3
 
▬▬▬▬▬▬  CLASS STYLE  ▬▬▬▬▬
I use PowerPoint presentations for all my classes, so I can mix text and multimedia (photos & videos) which I think makes the class more accessible and interesting. This class will be in a lecture style with an "intro-questions-repeat" format. This means I will take a few minutes to introduce a topic, using images or videos wherever appropriate in order to bring the subject alive. At the end of the section there is the opportunity to ask questions, although students can also ask questions anytime. Then we'll move on to the next exciting sub-topic and supporting material and then field questions if there are any.  This means that you can enjoy the class however you like. Speak up and get involved and ask questions, or just listen and enjoy with no pressure.