Free Online Earth Science Course

This is a wonderful and well-taught free online Earth Science course, offered by WHRO Education. To get access to the course files for free, you will need to complete this form. The course conveys and teaches the understanding of Earth’s complex systems and its place in the universe and includes topics in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. In this Earth Science course, the student learns about Earth’s systems and how they interact with one another through inter-activities, videos, collaborative discussions, hands-on applications, scientific investigations, and real-world projects. You can also take a look at all of our Earth Science educational pages here and a recent post for 4 Free Middle School Earth Science Lesson Units.

Module 1: What is Earth Science?

Module Overview
The Branches of Earth Science
Scientific Investigation
Measurement
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Mapping

Module Overview
Mapping the World
Analyzing Maps
Topographic Maps
Satellite Imagery and the Global Positioning System
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Astronomy – The Universe

Module Overview
Cosmology
Galaxies and the Milky Way
Stellar Evolution and Classification
The Electromagnetic Spectrum and the Doppler Effect
Telescopes and Other Tools
Early Astronomers
Modern Astronomy
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Astronomy – The Solar System

Module Overview
The Formation of the Solar System
The Sun
The Terrestrial Planets
The Jovian Planets
Other Objects in the Solar System
Earth’s Moon and Lunar Phases
Sun, Earth, and Moon Systems
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Minerals

Module Overview
Matter
Minerals
Identification of Minerals
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Rocks

Module Overview
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
The Rock Cycle
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Structure

Module Overview
Earth’s Structure
Plate Tectonics
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Weathering, Erosion, and Groundwater

Module Overview
Weathering
Karst Topography
Soils
Erosion and Deposition
Surface Water
Groundwater
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Earth’s History

Module Overview
Relative Dating
Radiometric Dating
Geologic Time
Fossils
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Resources and Virginia Geology

Module Overview
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Fossil Fuel Energy Resources
Alternative Energy Resources
Virginia Geology and Resources
Virginia Watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Meteorology

Module Overview
Earth’s Atmosphere
Clouds and Precipitation
Weather and Climate
Weather Observations
Interpreting Weather Maps
Severe Weather
Changes in the Atmosphere
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Oceanography

Module Overview
The Blue Planet
Ocean Movement – Waves and Tides
Salinity and Ocean Circulation
Ocean Geomorphology
Ocean Life
Environmental, Economic, and Public Policy and the Oceans
Module Summary
Module Authentic Assessment

Google Earth

This course uses the Google Earth application. You will need to download and use this application throughout the course. Click on the link below for more information about installing the Google Earth™ application.

Scientific Investigation Reports

Each scientific investigation uses a consistent format that follows the scientific process. As you complete each scientific investigation, you will maintain a scientific investigation report. This report will be a document in which you will need to make predictions, record data, analyze any data collected, and form conclusions about the scientific investigation.

You may see the following terms in a scientific investigation:

Title – the name of the scientific investigation
Introduction – any background information from the topic that you will need to know before you begin the scientific investigation
Objectives – identified learning goals for the scientific investigation
Hypothesis – a prediction that you formulate based on your prior knowledge and by reading the scientific investigation’s procedure
Required Simulation – information about a simulation used in a scientific investigation
Equipment and Materials – a list of any special equipment or materials that you will need to perform the scientific investigation
Procedure and Data Collection – a set of instructions provided to you so that you know how to conduct the scientific investigation; the procedure will prompt you when you need to record data
Data – a location for you to record your observations and measurements from the scientific investigation
Data Analysis – a list of questions or prompts that assist you with analyzing the data that you collect during the scientific investigation
Conclusion – a summary of the findings of the scientific investigation; accepts or refute any hypotheses made at the beginning of the investigation
Experimental Sources of Error – a list of any sources of error that may occur during the scientific investigatio