Like the other three required science courses (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Earth Science, taught by Mr. Rogers, has an interdisciplinary emphasis and interaction with other tenth grade Magnet courses.

The Earth Science course has a holistic approach to the study of Earth that stresses investigations of the interactions among the Earth's components in order to explain Earth dynamics, Earth evolution, and global change. The challenge to Earth system science is to develop the capability to understand those changes that will occur in the decade to century, both naturally and in response to human activity.

With the advent of satellite monitoring of Earth processes, we have discovered that human society has the power, however inadvertent, to change the world. We act locally but activities have global effect because the Earth is a system. We affect the Earth, which in turn affects human society. It is of great importance, both for the sake of the Earth and our own future, to understand the Earth for what it is: a system of interacting subsystems. In this course, students learn science by doing research, using the same data and information that scientists use. Students work in teams, just as scientists do. The teams will manage research projects from planning through presentation of their findings.

Syllabus

1. Principles of Remote Sensing, Image Processing, and Ground Truthing (3 weeks)
   
   • Image Processing Scenarios (Devils Tower in 3D)
   • Remote Sensing Scenarios (RP, IP,GT with X-9000)
   • imaging Earth From Space (Satellite Readings)
2. Factors Effecting the Distribution of Radiant and Thermal Energy in the Earth System (6 weeks)
   
   • Solar Influences
     
     • Imaging Earth's orbit and eccentricity (NIH Image Lab)
     • Sensing Solar Radiation in 3D (CBL Lab)
     • Determining a Relative Solar Constant (CBL Lab)
     • Predicting the Solar Constant for other planets (Guided Research)
     • How Hot is Planet Earth? (STELLA Model)
   • Atmospheric Influences
     • Modeling an Adiabatic Lapse Rate (CBL Lab)
     • Storing Heat in Our Atmosphere (CBL Lab)
     • Predicting Earth's Surface Temperature (STELLA Model)
     • Where Did the Ozone Go? (NIH Image Lab)
     • Putting the Pieces Together (STELLA Model)
3. MBHS's Mission Possible Research project (6 weeks)
4. Modeling and Monitoring Volcanic Fallout (3 weeks)
   • Geohazards and You (USGS Readings)
   • Monitoring Alaskan Volcanoes Using AVHRR Images (NIH Image Lab)
   • Factors Effecting Ash Fallout Using Stokes Law (STELLA Model)