PSC-1210 Exploring Earth and Space Science Concepts

Credits 4
Hands-on activity-based course covering topics in earth and space sciences for students who plan to teach preschool through grade 8. Content is based on recommendations of the National Science Education Content Standards and the K-8 Outcomes document of the Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the state-wide Outcomes Document for the Elementary A.A.T. degree. Emphasis is on building process skills and content understanding using a constructivist-based teaching methodology. General education class.
Prerequisite(s): Reading Readiness.
3 class/2 lab hours.
Course Outcomes

Explain how Earth’s seasons, planetary phases, eclipses, and tides are related to the alignments of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
Characterize landforms and seaforms on solar system bodies from photographs (ground- and satellite based) and maps.
Classify Earth materials by rock type, mineral properties, and/or hydrologic characteristics.
Explain the processes of weathering and erosion and their roles in modifying Earth surface forms and composition.
Interpret a rock record to determine relative ages of rock layers and processes these layers have undergone.
Identify the characteristics of major geologic ages of the Earth and the role fossils play in their characterization.
Explain the dynamic processes that modify the internal and large-scale surface features of planets and how these are related to composition of and energy within the planet.
Explain the characteristics and dynamic processes of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans and how these systems are interrelated.
Interpret data for weather systems based on physical principles.
Design experiments with the methods of scientific inquiry including science process skills.
Analyze data collected from appropriate scientific tools such as star charts, virtual planetaria, spectroscopes, topographic maps, GPS receivers, radar rangers, and weather equipment.
Utilize scientific and educational technologies such as spreadsheet applications (for data organization, analysis, and graphing), graphing calculators, presentation software, internet search engines, image processing software, and flow-chart design software that are appropriate for Earth and space sciences.