Free Online Earth Science Course

This is a wonderful and well-taught free online Earth Science course, offered by WHRO Education. The course modules teach the understanding of Earth’s complex systems and its place in the universe and includes topics in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. This collection is a set of interactive learning modules for middle and high school students (grades 8–12). It covers a complete, highly engaging Earth Science curriculum divided into 11 core modules.

Instead of just reading textbook pages, students learn through interactive activities that break down complex scientific topics (from outer space down to the ocean floor). This entire collection provides a comprehensive, hands-on path through Earth Science. It starts with basic scientific skills, explores the land, rocks, space, atmosphere, and oceans, and wraps up with modern environmental challenges like pollution and climate change

Additionally here are two more great free online Earth Science courses:

You can also take a look at all of our Earth Science educational pages here and our page for 4 Free Middle School Earth Science Lesson Units.

Free Online Earth Science Course

Module 1: What is Earth Science?

Lesson topic	What it teaches
The Branches of Earth Science	The different branches of Earth science.
The Scientific Method	The steps and principles of the scientific method.
Implementing the Scientific Method	How to properly design and set up an experiment.
Basic Units of Measurement	Common SI (International System of Units) measurements and their abbreviations.
Measurement of Mass and Volume	How to measure mass and volume.
Calculating Density Using Mass and Volume	The concept of density and how to calculate it using mass and volume.
Parts of a Graph	The important components of a graph.
Types of Graphs	Different types of graphs and their uses.

Module 2: Mapping

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Types of Maps	Different types of maps and their purposes.
Map Projections	Different methods of projecting Earth’s surface onto a flat map.
The Five Parts of a Map	How to identify the five parts of a map and understand their uses.
Determining Latitude and Longitude	How to locate places using latitude and longitude coordinates.
Time Zones	How time differs across different parts of the United States.
Topographic Maps	How to read and analyze topographic maps using contour lines.
Satellite Imagery	How scientists use satellites and satellite imagery.

Module 3: Astronomy – The Universe and Solar System

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Cosmology	The study of the universe and its nature.
Type of Galaxies	The three main classifications of galaxies.
The Milky Way Galaxy	The structure and characteristics of our galaxy.
The Evolution of Stars	How stars form, change over time, and evolve.
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram	The different regions of the diagram used to classify stars.
Constellations	Constellations and their patterns in the night sky.
Telescopes and Other Tools	Tools astronomers use to observe and measure objects in space.
Ancient Astronomy	Early astronomical discoveries and advancements.
The Age of Astronomy	Notable astronomers and their contributions.
Modern Astronomy	Major developments in modern astronomy.
Solar Nebula Theory	The theory explaining how the solar system formed from a cloud of gas and dust.
The Parts of the Sun	The Sun’s structure and major layers.
Solar Activity	Different types of activity occurring on the Sun.
The Terrestrial Planets	The rocky inner planets of the solar system.
The Jovian Planets	The giant outer planets of the solar system.
Dwarf Planets	Dwarf planets and their place in the solar system.
Other Members of the Solar System	Other solar system objects, such as asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.
Lunar Geology	The Moon’s geological features and surface characteristics.
Lunar Phases	The phases of the Moon and their relationship to tidal influences.
Tilt, Rotation, and Revolution	How Earth’s axial tilt, rotation, and revolution affect life on Earth.
Eclipses	Different types of eclipses and how they occur.

Module 4: Minerals

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Atomic Structure	The particles that make up atoms, including protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The Periodic Table of Elements	How the periodic table is organized and the information it provides about elements.
Isotopes	Isotopes and how atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons.
The Five Properties of Minerals	The five characteristics used to define and describe minerals.
The Formation of Minerals	Different processes through which minerals form.
Mineral Groups	The seven major mineral groups.
Identification of Minerals	Methods and properties used to identify minerals.
Ores	Common ores and their practical uses.
Mineral Identification Scientific Investigation	Applying mineral identification techniques to investigate and identify mineral samples.

Module 5: Rocks

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Crystallization	The crystallization process and differences between the two types of igneous rocks.
Igneous Rock Collection	The different textures found in igneous rocks.
Common Igneous Rocks	The characteristics of common igneous rock types.
Formation of a Sedimentary Rock	How sedimentary rocks form.
Classification of Sedimentary Rock	The different types and classifications of sedimentary rocks.
Sedimentary Rock Features	Distinguishing features of sedimentary rocks.
Common Sedimentary Rocks	The characteristics of common sedimentary rock types.
Sedimentary Rock Collection	Recognition and examination of common sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphism and Yellowstone	Metamorphism and how it occurs in the Yellowstone region.
Common Metamorphic Rocks	The characteristics of common metamorphic rock types.
Constructing the Rock Cycle	How to construct a rock cycle diagram showing relationships among rock types and their transformations.

Module 6: Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Structure

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Earth’s Structure	Earth’s interior layers and their characteristics.
The History of Plate Tectonics Theory	The historical development of plate tectonics theory.
Plate Tectonics	Interactions between tectonic plates and the locations of Earth’s plates.
Evidence Supporting Plate Tectonics Theory	Scientific evidence supporting plate tectonics theory.
Plates of the World	The world’s tectonic plates and the landforms they create.
Volcanoes: The Basics	Fundamental information about volcanoes and volcanic activity.
The Anatomy of a Volcano	The internal and external structures of a volcano.
Types of Volcanoes	Three different types of volcanoes and their characteristics.
Earthquakes	Earthquakes and the geological processes associated with them.
Earthquake Damage	Different types of damage caused by earthquakes.

Module 7: Weathering, Erosion, and Groundwater

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Types of Physical Weathering	Different types of physical weathering that break rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.
Types of Chemical Weathering	Different chemical processes that alter or break down rocks and minerals.
Factors Affecting Rates of Weathering	Variables that influence how quickly rocks weather.
Cave Features	Features that form inside caves through geological processes.
Soil Formation	How soil develops through the breakdown of rock and other contributing processes.
Soil Profile	The different horizons, or layers, within a soil profile.
Erosional Forces	The forces and processes responsible for erosion and the movement of Earth materials.
Deposition	How transported sediment settles and accumulates in new locations.
The Water Cycle	The major components and processes involved in the continuous movement of water through Earth’s systems.
Groundwater System	How groundwater is stored and moves beneath Earth’s surface.
Groundwater Features	Features formed when groundwater flows or emerges at Earth’s surface.

Module 8: Earth’s History

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Decoding Earth’s History	Strategies geologists use to interpret and reconstruct Earth’s history.
Relative Dating	How to determine the relative ages of rocks and geological events.
Unconformities	The three types of unconformities and how they represent gaps in the geological record.
Half-Life	The concept of half-life and how radioactive decay can help determine ages.
Millions and Billions	Understanding the immense timescales involved in Earth’s approximately 4.6-billion-year history.
Geologic Time Divisions	How Earth’s history is divided into units of geologic time.
A Tour of Geologic Time	The characteristics and organization of the geologic time scale.
Formation of Fossils	Different processes through which fossils form.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum	Types of electromagnetic radiation emitted by stars and other celestial objects.
Fossil Clues	How fossils provide evidence about Earth’s past environments and life.

Module 9: Resources and Virginia Geology

Lesson topic	What it teaches
Earth’s Resources	Introduces Earth’s renewable and nonrenewable resources, helping students distinguish resources that replenish naturally from those that are finite or replenish very slowly.
Oil	Explores oil as a natural resource, including its importance as an energy source and its role in human activities.
Natural Gas	Introduces natural gas as an energy resource and examines its place among Earth’s natural resources.
Coal	Explores coal as a fossil fuel, including its use as an energy resource.
Types of Coal	Examines different types of coal, providing a basis for understanding how coal varieties differ.
Alternative Energy Resources	Surveys alternative energy resources and introduces options beyond conventional fossil fuels.
Virginia Geology	Explores the geology of Virginia, connecting general Earth science concepts to the state’s geological characteristics.
Virginia Watersheds	Introduces Virginia’s river systems and watersheds, focusing on how land areas are connected to the waterways that drain them.
Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay	Explains different sources of pollution affecting the Chesapeake Bay and introduces the relationship between human activities and water quality.

Module 10: Meteorology

Formation of the Atmosphere — How Earth’s atmosphere formed and changed over geologic time.
Layers of the Atmosphere — The atmosphere’s different layers.
Cloud Types — Clouds and their classifications.
Precipitation — Different types of precipitation.
Factors That Affect Climate — Factors that influence climate.
Climate Zones — Different climate regions.
Types of Fronts — Types of weather fronts.
Air Pressure — Types of air pressure systems.
Weather Instruments — Instruments meteorologists use.
Station Model — The different parts of a station model.
Weather Maps — Maps meteorologists analyze.
Severe Weather — Severe storms and their causes.
Natural Climate Change — Natural processes that affect climate.
Human Influenced Climate Change — Primary and secondary pollution resulting from human activities.
Global Warming — Atmospheric heating, trapped radiation, and the role of greenhouse gases in warming the planet.

Module 11: Oceanography

Ocean Formation — Scientists’ theories on how the oceans formed.
The Earth’s Oceans — The location of each ocean on Earth.
Waves — The parts of a wave.
Tsunami Warning Signs — Key warning signs of an approaching tsunami.
Tides — Tides and how forces in space create them.
Salinity and Dissolved Substances — Salinity and factors that affect the oceans’ salt content.
Surface Currents — Surface ocean currents and how they form.
Seafloor Features — The ocean floor and its many features.
Emergent Coastlines — Features of an emergent coastline.
Submergent Coastlines — Features of a submergent coastline.
Classification of Marine Species — Three classifications of marine species, with examples of each.
Marine Life Zones — Conditions in each marine life zone.
Ocean Pollution — Sources of pollution and their harmful effects on people and the environment.
Oceans and Climate Change — Sea-level rise and other possible consequences of climate change.