We then discussed the theories of uniformitarianism and catastrophism today in class. These differing theories on how the Earth’s landforms have been shaped over time were up for much debate in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Today, scientific evidence clearly indicates that uniformitarianism is the overriding theme of the geologic environment - that is, that most geologic change occurs very gradually over long periods of time. That does not exclude catastrophes from taking place, however. Earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis still cause rare, sudden, and dramatic changes in the landscape around the world.

Tomorrow we’ll continue this discussion by bringing another scientist into the mix: Charles Lyell. Following the conclusion of those notes, we’ll begin discussing the debate poster project that will continue through Wednesday (due on Monday).

Following several recent incidents in our school, it has become clear that an open and frank discussion on respect and responsibility by students to create a positive school culture is overdue. There have been several incidents lately that rose to the level of becoming significant disruptions in the classroom. These incidents were not only perpetrated by a small handful of students, but more troublesome is the encouragement and support that was evidenced by a significant population within the freshman class. (more…)

We closed class with work time on the Data Extrapolation Graphing Activity that we began yesterday. This exercise will allow you to extrapolate the Celsius value for absolute zero. This is due in class tomorrow. We will spend much of tomorrow’s class period preparing for the upcoming test. If you haven’t done so already, check out a copy of the Test Study Guide and more study options below. (more…)

For the second part of today’s class, we discussed objectivity in science. In examining its meaning, we read several accounts of particular events and then determined if those accounts were objective or subjective. We then tried to interpret them in a purely objective manner. Remember: The “Thinking Objectively in Science” handout is due at the start of class tomorrow.

Also note: 5th hour students should bring a book to class tomorrow and every day thereafter. Since 5th hour (the big lunch hour) is 24 minutes longer than all other classes (74 versus 48), we will be spending the last 24 minutes of each day with SSR (Sustained Silent Reading).

The finer points of electronics (ipods, cell phones, etc…), food and drink, due dates, etc… were all spelled out. Students were sent home with their own copy of the course syllabus as well as an additional copy for parents. All parents are urged to read through the syllabus and discuss it with their students. The signature form should be returned to class by Monday.

Click to see the 2007-2008 Earth-Space Science Course Syllabus in case your paper copy didn’t make it home.

In the space at the top of the page, you will always find the most current, up-to-date information for the class. Every day class is in session, a new post will be made to this page and will be found in the “What’s New?” section. As a new post is made, the older ones will drop down the page. Eventually, they’ll drop off of the page all together, but every post will still remain as part of this site - they just need to be accessed via the archive. Check out “How to use this site” to learn more about the features and navigation of this site.

Only the first paragraph or so of the daily post will show up on the front page - to read the rest, click “read the rest” below or just click the title of the post (in this case, the “Earth-Space Science 2007-08″ above).
(more…)

Spend a few minutes checking out the features of the site. Below is a list of a few features you my find helpful. (Click “Read More” to see the rest of this post)
(more…)

Over the coming months, this site will be grown to accomadate the curriculum of the high school Earth/Space Science course for the 2007-2008 term. This site will include general announcements as well as content on lessons in physical science, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and meteorology - the units that will be covered through the year in that order.