Tutor – Dr. Sara Fouts, DVM
I’m so excited to be using Dr. Wile’s text this year as he is the author of the original Apologia Physical Science curriculum. This laboratory-based Earth Science course can be used for either eighth or ninth grade. It covers the general properties of the earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. When studying the earth’s crust, students learn about minerals, rocks, and the rock cycle. Plate tectonics is then covered, which leads to a discussion of seismic waves, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Students learn about fossils and how both uniformitarians and catastrophists interpret those fossils as well as the sedimentary rocks in which they are found. After that, the hydrosphere is discussed. Students first learn the properties of water such as polarity, the ability to hydrogen bond, and heat capacity. That leads to a discussion of the hydrologic cycle and residence time. Students learn about the waves, currents, and tides in the ocean. They then move on to the ice reservoirs on the earth and the freshwater reservoirs. Water in the air is the last part of the hydroshpere that is covered. The atmosphere is then discussed, including the composition of air, the sections of the atmosphere, temperature gradients, and pollutants. This leads to a discussion of the weather. The course ends with two chapters on space, one that covers the solar system and one that covers the universe as a whole. There are roughly 55 hours of laboratory instruction in the course. I will strive to do as many of the hands-on experiments in our Monday class time as I possibly can! If desired, the remainder of activities can be done at home using household items.
Title: Exploring Design with Earth Science
By: Dr. Jay Wile
Format: Hardcover
Vendor: Berean Builders Publishers, Inc.
Publication Date: 2021
ISBN-13: 9780996278430
Title: Answer Key and Tests for Discovering Design with Earth Science
By: Dr. Jay Wile
Format: Paperback
Vendor: Berean Builders Publishers, Inc.
Publication Date: 2021
ISBN-13: 9780996278447
Title: Student Workbook for Discovering Design with Earth Science
By: Dr. Jay Wile
Format: Spiral Bound
Vendor: Berean Builders Publishers, Inc.
Publication Date: 2021
ISBN-13: 9781735029122
Junior High (General) Science should be taken before Physical Science. This class is recommended for 8th-9th grades.
This class is at an “average” difficulty level. Students should expect to work for 30-45 minutes per day to complete the Earth Science curriculum within the school year.