Science: Geosystems
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fcps curriculm

Science
Geosystems

Overview 

Geosystems is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of the systems that govern the Earth. The Program of Studies centers on the student's ability to:

  • achieve a solid base of knowledge in this field
  • make informed decisions based on this knowledge
  • analyze and communicate information
  • actively conduct scientific experiments
  • make connections within science disciplines and with other disciplines

The methods of teaching emphasize the process of inquiry and discovery through laboratory investigations. The course is organized into four units that stress astronomy, the fluid Earth, the solid Earth, and the environmental impacts on life.

Students use a variety of new technologies that are being used in the field of Earth Science. Remote sensing, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and an extensive use of Internet to provide access to data are all an integral part of the curriculum.

Other Standards for Science, Geosystems :
standard 10

EARTH'S HISTORY & LIFE'S EVOLUTION CAN BE INFERRED FROM ROCKS/FOSSILS

  benchmark 10.a Understand that Traces/Remains of Ancient Life are Preserved in Rocks
    indicator 10.a.1 Describe the development of life forms on the Earth
  benchmark 10.b Understand Methods of Dating Bodies of Rock
    indicator 10.b.1 Discuss the laws of superposition, uniformitarianism & cross-cutting
  benchmark 10.c Understand Uses of Absolute and Relative Dating of Rocks & Fossils
    indicator 10.c.1 Explain how radioactive isotopes are used to find earth's absolute age
    indicator 10.c.2 Calculate the age of a rock sample by using an isotope's half-life
    indicator 10.c.3 Differentiate between relative and absolute time
    indicator 10.c.4 Discuss the importance of dating techniques in geologic history
  benchmark 10.d Understand that Virginia's Rocks & Fossils Span Many Periods & Epochs
    indicator 10.d.1 Classify the different types of fossils

Other Standards for Science, Geosystems :