Course Description Earth science is a course designed to prepare students for advanced science classes, as well as provide a fundamental understanding of the concepts of Earth science. The course starts with the organizing principles of Earth Science looking at Earth systems and biogeochemical cycles. The class then focuses on geology, looking specifically at earthquakes and Earth’s interior, plate tectonics and volcanism, rock forming processes, and Earth history. The course then moves to meteorology and climatology, looking specifically at severe weather, oceans and climates, and climate change. Hydrogeology and resource/environmental challenges are the next units in the class. The last two units involve astronomy, looking specifically at cosmology and Earth’s place in space as well as the Sun and stellar evolution. Real-world examples are used throughout the course to supplement the MI standards. Concepts will include real-world applications, scientific writing (formal lab write-ups), and labs.