Personal Earth Science Glossary/vocabulary pages: You are to submit each class session a minimum one-page glossary/vocabulary list of geologically significant terms or concepts you uncovered in your question and summary research for EACH theme (topics A through T) of your journal. The one-page glossary must contain at least 10 geologically significant terms or concepts that are related to the topic (A through T) that you are working on for the class. The glossary pages MUST NOT included words or concepts that you have defined before. and should not be based on words/concepts that are NOT part of Earth science lingo. Each significant term/concept should be defined in your own words, and the definitions should not be copied from the internet, or a dictionary (THAT IS PLAGIARISM ANYWAY)!! You may include a labled sketch if desired to help us understand that particular concept. Sketches should be hand drawn, similar to what you might produce on a chalkboard or whiteboard. Please feel free to substitute an appropriate, definition-based word puzzle for your glossary page, if desired.

1. Group Project--Extraterrestrial Expeditions

When: To Be Determined??? You are not supposed to remain with the project. There is no verbal presentation, and don't expect one.

Evaluation: Required for full credit.Scoring criteria for evaluation include:

Contains adequate scientific content.

Topic is apparently accurately interpreted.

Creative and innovative analysis and presentation

Citation of sources and references used

Topic is adequately developed and stimulates learning.

Use the form provided in class the day of the presentation. Evaluations will be completed during the class.

Hints: Projects should be stand-alone displays effectively marketing your information. Remember that your grade is dependent on how other students perceive your project. Collectively as a group, you will be assigned one of the sets of solar system bodies listed below. This will be done in lab. Decide how you would like to divide the work (including the background research), and how you would like to construct your presentation. If you have special considerations, please contact me through email (bleatham@csusb.edu) or during office hours or before or after class. Good luck and good hunting!!!

	GEOL 309: The Blue Planet
	Fall 2012
	*Meeting Location and Times:* "Lecture" CS-130,, Tuesday and Thursday, 1600-1750, "Labs" are as assigned in BI-112 Instructor: W. Britt Leatham Office: BI-113b, *Tel.* 909.537.5322 (prefer email) Office Hours: M 1500-1700, T 1400-1600, and/or by appointment email: bleatham@csusb.edu (Last updated 10.27.12)

Try to learn something about everything and everything about something. --Thomas Henry Huxley		*Tentative Syllabus (follows below)*

Course Topics: During the quarter, we will perform experiments, make models and tools, analyze satellite and other imagery in order to gain a basic understanding of the topics listed below. The topics listed below are closely keyed to the 22 identified content knowledge requirements for the Earth Science Domain in the CSET. Schedule of discussion topics is tentative. Each topic will be discussed in the order listed, although I reserve the right to change that order. Hence, attendance in class is mandatory. Depending on class participation, certain topics may require more or less time to discuss adequately, which may alter the proposed schedule. We may also modify the schedule later in the session by deleting and combining some of the topics, or adding to them.
A. The Outer Limits: Beyond our Solar system. A parts list and schematic for the general universe, including: Stars, galaxies, nebulae, space, etc. How they work, where and what they are, how they formed, how they evolve.	B. Closer to Home: The realm of our Solar System: Planets, asteroids, comets, meteors, sattelites, our sun, etc. What they are, where they are found, how they move, how are they different than Earth, etc.	C. Changes in the sky--The Solar dance: Apparent movements of the sun in the sky through the year, what is really happening, how it affects the earth, the nature of days, nights, seasons, and years.
D. Changes in the sky--nightime boogie: the dance and phases of the moon, the zodiac and other constellations, the wander of the planets, movement and changes in stars.	E. Explain the influence and role of the sun and the oceans in weather and climate.	F. Describe tides and explain the mechanisms causing and modifying them, such as gravitational attraction of the moon and sun, and coastal topography.
G. The surface of the planet, and its features (e.g. oceans, continents, mountains, etc.)	H. Describe layers of the Earth (e.g. crust, lithosphere, mantle, core) AND how we know about them.	I. Describe plate tectonics including its convective source
J. Explain why earthquakes occur and describe how they are measured. Identify the factors influencing the location and intensity of earthquakes	K. Describe how plate tectonics forms affects the Earth's surficial features (e.g. mountains, basins, etc.) Explain how mountains are created	L. Know the commonly cited evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics, including types of faults, and their origin. Describe the effects of plate tectonic motion over time on climate, geography, and distribution of organisms
M. Minerals make rocks. Describe formation and observations of the characteristics of minerals (e.g. quartz, calcite, hornblende, mica, and common ore minerals)	N. Rocks are made out of minerals. Observable physical characteristics, how they are named, and how they are formed by the three great rock-forming processes (e.g. sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic)	O. Explain igneous processes, principles, volcanic eruptions and types of volcanos, typical igneous rocks and where they form.
P. Explain sedimentary processes (weathering, erosion, transportation, sedimentation, and lithification, formation of soils and sediments, typical sedimentary rocks and where they form.	Q. Explain metamorphic processes, rock characteristics, and how they are related to plate tectonics.	R. The water cycle, and describe the causes and effects of air movements and ocean currents (based on convection of air and water) on daily and seasonal weather and climate.
S. The characteristics of bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and estuaries. Include water stratification, currents, temperature, coriolis effect, etc.)	T. Describe the general changes on the Earth over geologic time as evidenced in landforms and the rock and fossil records, including plant and animal extinction.

*Journal Entries*
Each entry is to be submitted the beginning of the following class. You must include twenty entries (i.e. one/class meeting) for full credit.
Journal entries consist of two, one-page (8.5" x 11") parts. Minimally, this could be accomplished on a single sheet of paper; Part A on side one, and Part B on side two. You will be docked if you do not use the entire page to develop your thoughts. Remember to place your real name, the date of submission, and the letter of the topic (see A through T in topics table above) on the top of the sheet.
Part A: Essentially a cover sheet that addresses the following: What was I supposed to learn today? What were the troublesome words and concepts? Was the material well supported? Determine how this information can be applied to either my life or to society. "Yes" or "no" or single word answers will not be given credit. Develop your thoughts as fully as possible.
Part B: Write at least a one to two page essay answering a question of your own design for each of the 20 topics listed on the syllabus. The question can originate from the material discussed in class that day or from supporting readings in the text. Use the resources of class discussions, lectures, labs, readings, internet, or library to answer your questions. You will find that this participation will help you to understand the class material better because you are making it personal rather than relying on the text or me. Consistent effort on the journal will also help you realize what you do and do not know, help you study for exams in an organized way, and help alleviate the effects of last minute "cram". Try to ask "How..." or "Why..." or "Do..." questions that relate, compare, and contrast--avoid questions of regurgitative definition (e.g. "what"). Examples of some questions that are acceptable include: "Does plate tectonics exist on other planets?" "How is sea level affected by plate tectonics?" "Why are many volcanic eruptions preceded by earthquakes?" "How does a geologist use the principle of uniformitarianism?" "Why did the dinosaurs become extinct?" "How do we calibrate the Geological Time Scale?" "How do glaciers modify mountain ranges?" The analysis for each question should be a minimum of one to two pages in length. Analyses may be neatly handwritten or printed, and should include handdrawn charts, graphs, or drawings as appropriate.

Recommended Books and Resources on Earth Science Education
	Project Earth Science: Astronomy Author: P Sean Smith Grades: 5 - 12 Pages: 160 Product Number: PB090X ISBN13: 978-0-87355-108-3 Copyright: 1992 Member Price: $22.36 Non-Member Price: $27.95 Bring the heavens a little closer. Project Earth Science: Astronomy spotlights ways to teach students about everything from why Earth has seasons to what a light year is. Astronomy can be a daunting subject in the classroom--for student and teacher--and this book suits the needs of both. For the student, hands-on, teacher-tested activities bring the concepts of astronomy down to Earth. For the teacher, background information, supplementary readings, and suggestions for integrating other disciplines provide a framework to launch a successful introduction to astronomy. This book is one of four in NSTA's popular Project Earth Science series. The other books are Project Earth Science: Geology, Project Earth Science: Meteorology, and Project Earth Science: Physical Oceanography. Buy three in the series, get the fourth FREE! “Definitely should be on the shelf of middle school teachers.” —Charles James, director of curriculum and instruction, Washington, D.C.	Project Earth Science: Geology Author: Brent A Ford Grades: 5 - 12 Pages: 224 Product Number: PB111X ISBN13: 978-0-87355-131-1 Copyright: 1996 Member Price: $22.36 Non-Member Price: $27.95 Explain what it's like between a rock and a hard place! Use Project Earth Science: Geology to introduce your students to plate tectonics and teach them what causes volcanoes and earthquakes. Lead explorations of these and other larger-than-the-classroom geological phenomena with the teacher-tested, Standards-based activities. Earth's physical evolution and dynamic processes are carefully explained in language accessible to students and teachers. Supplemental readings provide educators with the background information to answer student questions and concerns. This book is one of four in NSTA's popular Project Earth Science series. The other books are Project Earth Science: Meteorology, Project Earth Science: Astronomy, and Project Earth Science: Physical Oceanography. Buy three in the series, get the fourth FREE! “Teachers who are looking for ways to involve students and take them beyond the rote knowledge demanded by most textbooks will find this book a refreshing change.”—Diana Wiig, college science and math Instructor, Rock Springs, Wyo.
	Project Earth Science: Physical Oceanography Authors: P Sean Smith & Brent A Ford Grades: 5 - 12 Pages: 224 Product Number: PB114X ISBN13: 978-0-87355-130-4 Copyright: 2000 Member Price: $22.36 Non-Member Price: $27.95 An EdPress Award winner. Immerse your students in Earth’s most abundant resource--water. Embark on a voyage of discovery as you steer your students through activities designed to teach them about currents, waves, and tides. From an understanding of the properties that make water unique, your students will get a global view of the marine environment, including the impact of human activities on the oceans. This book is one of four in NSTA's popular Project Earth Science series. The other books are Project Earth Science: Geology, Project Earth Science: Astronomy, and Project Earth Science: Meteorology. Buy three in the series, get the fourth FREE! "Few Earth science programs have enough activities, and it is rare to find activities that are linked to language arts. So middle school teachers will truly appreciate this volume in the Project Earth Science series."--Anne Sywilok, grade 5 teacher, Springfield, Va.	Project Earth Science: Meteorology Authors: P Sean Smith & Brent A Ford Grades: 5 - 12 Pages: 234 Product Number: PB103X ISBN13: 978-0-87355-123-6 Copyright: 1999 Member Price: $22.36 Non-Member Price: $27.95 The forecast for learning is bright! Even if you can't control the weather, you can now explain it by using Project Earth Science: Meteorology. Integrated activities cover the origin and composition of the atmosphere as well as the variables that influence weather and affect the movement of air masses. From studying the hydrologic cycle to reading weather maps and tracking hurricanes, your students will become skilled weather watchers. This book is one of four in NSTA's popular Project Earth Science series. The other books are Project Earth Science: Geology, Project Earth Science: Astronomy, and Project Earth Science: Physical Oceanography. Buy three in the series, get the fourth FREE! "Perhaps nothing can be done about the weather, but Meteorology will go a long way in helping students to understand it!"--Geraldine (Gerry) Waller, middle school teacher, San Antonio, Tex.

Important CSUSB Mandated Directives and Announcements: "If you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please let me know ASAP and also contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH-183, (909)537-5238." Required syllabus addition per CSUSB Faculty Senate. Learning Outcomes and Goals--You will help write these based on our first day's discussion.