A Short Course for
San Francisco Unified School District Teachers

This course is designed for teachers interested in Earth/Life/Physical sciences and focuses on the California Science Standards for Grades 6-8. Participants will learn about the Earth as a dynamic structure, composed of the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living things). The study of the interaction among these four spheres provides:

  • a rich domain for science learning,
  • a greater understanding of the history of our Earth, and
  • the opportunity to integrate biological, chemical, physical, and earth sciences.

    • Use the topic links below to view presentations and activities from Earth: A Dynamic Structure

    Jump to: Course Outline | Presenters | Other Links

    Course Outline:

    Session Topics Date

    #1

     

    What's Current
    Internal and external convection currents drive the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
    Examining the big ideas to be covered in the course.
    9:00 a.m.- 3:00 pm | Coffee at 8:30 a.m.
    Room 513, Thornton Hall, San Francisco State University

    		9/28/02

    #2

     

    Potential to Kinetic
    The transfer of energy is responsible for changes in the Earth's surface - weathering, erosion/deposition, landslides, moving water, earthquakes.
    9:00 a.m.- 3:00 pm | Coffee at 8:30 a.m.
    Room 513, Thornton Hall, San Francisco State University

    		11/2/02

    #3

     

    Lines of Evidence for Past Change
    A look at fossils, stratigraphy, and chemistry to explain evolution.
    9:00 a.m.- 3:00 pm | Coffee at 8:30 a.m.
    California Academy of Sciences, Room TBA

    		 12/14/02

    #4

     

    Creating an Earth System I
    Examining the integration of the biological, chemical, and physical processes.
    9:00 a.m.- 3:00 pm | Coffee at 8:30 a.m.
    California Academy of Sciences, Room TBA

    		 2/08/03

    #5

     

    Creating an Earth System II
    Further examination of the integration of the biological, chemical, and physical processes.
    9:00 a.m.- 3:00 pm | Coffee at 8:30 a.m.
    California Academy of Sciences, Room TBA

    		 3/01/03

    #6

     

    Field Trip
    An opportunity to view the biological and geological diversity of the Marin Headlands and the Pt. Reyes National Seashore.
    Coffee at 8:30 a.m. California Academy of Sciences
    Bus leaves at 9:00 a.m. and returns at 4:00 p.m.

    		 5/17/03

    Course Presenters:

    This course is presented by the UC Museum of Paleontology, the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco State University, the Bay Area Earth Science Institute, and the SFUSD Project INQUIRES.

    Other Links:

    Check out last year's course on California's Landscape.
     
    Updated October, 2002

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