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 8

GEOLOGIC PROCESSES INCLUDING PLATE TECTONICS

  benchmark 8.a Understand the Physiographic Provinces of Virginia
    indicator 8.a.1 Summarize the five physiographic provinces of Virginia
    indicator 8.a.2 Interpret the physiographic patterns of North America
  benchmark 8.b Understand Geologic Processes such as Faulting, Folding, etc.
    indicator 8.b.1 Compare the processes that create the Earth's internal heat
    indicator 8.b.2 Construct a model of convection cells deep within the Earth
    indicator 8.b.3 Describe the heat sources that resulted in the Earth's formation
    indicator 8.b.4 Describe how the internal differentiation of the Earth led to layers
    indicator 8.b.5 Construct a scale model of the Earth's interior
    indicator 8.b.6 Relate fold and fault structures to the forces that form them
    indicator 8.b.7 Explain conditions that affect a stream's ability to shape the land
    indicator 8.b.8 Compare the erosive and depositional effects of wind, water, and ice
  benchmark 8.c Understand Tectonic Processes
    indicator 8.c.1 Examine the types of plate boundaries & how their features are formed
    indicator 8.c.2 Describe how Earth's magnetic field shifts support plate tectonics
    indicator 8.c.3 Relate volcanic activity to magmatic viscosity & chemical composition
    indicator 8.c.4 Compare the rates of movement of the lithospheric plates
    indicator 8.c.5 Integrate the theory of isostasy with its relationship to land forms
    indicator 8.c.6 Describe the characteristics of the different types of seismic waves
    indicator 8.c.7 Explain how seismic data helps to determine earth's internal structure
    indicator 8.c.8 Explain the difference between seismic intensity and magnitude
    indicator 8.c.9 Interpret various graphical representations to find plate boundaries

Other Standards for Science, Geosystems :