Integrated Science 2

I. Foundations

Integrated Science 2 is based upon two areas of scientific study: Physical science and Earth science. Physical science is the study of what things are made of and how they change. It combines elements of physics and chemistry. This course includes a concentration of an area of physics dealing with motion and forces.

The text utilized presents material under the “Big Idea” that, “Physical forces affect the movement of all matter on Earth and throughout the universe” (McDougal Littell, 2005). Simply put, students will learn what makes the world go around.

Earth science is the study of Earth and all of its parts. It includes everything from the inner earth to the outer atmosphere. Central to this study is the understanding that our planet is in a constant state of change. There are many forces that are acting upon it constantly, and these are the same forces that have shaped the Earth since the beginning of time.

The five texts that will be referenced in this course offer studies of the Earth’s Surface, The Changing Earth, Earth’s Waters, and Earth’s Atmosphere (Mcdougal Littell, 2005).

II. Order of Topics

A.. Earth’s Surface

1. Views of Earth Today

2. Minerals

3. Rocks

4. Weathering and Soil Formation

5. Erosion and Deposition

B. The Changing Earth

1. Plate Tectonics

2. Earthquakes

3. Mountains and Volcanoes

4. Views of Earth’s Past

5. Natural Resources

C. Earth’s Waters

1. The Water Planet

2. Fresh Water

3. Ocean Systems

4. Ocean Environments

D. Earth’s Atmosphere

1. The Changing Atmosphere

2. Weather Patterns

3. Weather Fronts and Storms

4. Climate and Climate Change

E. Motion and Forces

1. Motion

2. Forces

3. Gravity, Friction, and Pressure

4. Work and Energy

5. Machines

III. Goals

The goal of this course is two-fold (with both taking precedence). First, students will be able to recognize their personal responsibility in becoming respectful, caring stewards of their planet. They will use their knowledge of the processes at work on their Earth, and the human contributions to those processes, to evaluate the current state of the planet.

Second, students will be able to work together, as a successful team, to discover the wonders of the sciences that they use (sometimes unknowingly) in their everyday lives. They will learn to ask important questions, identify specific problems, predict outcomes, and produce effective solutions. They will achieve this in a safe, comfortable and encouraging environment. And hopefully they will have some fun along the way!

**Click here to view Mr. Martella’s essay on technology integration in the classroom.