Earth & Space Science 🌋
1.0 credits (full year), foundation science
Mr. David Buckley  david.buckley@meritacademy.org  Room 225
Course Summary
from Utah SEEd Standards, pg. 77
- The Earth and space science SEEd Standards investigate processes and mechanisms that have resulted in the formation of our Earth, galaxy, and universe.
- Students develop models to illustrate the life span of the Sun and the role of nuclear fusion releasing energy in the Sun’s core.
- Students analyze and interpret data to construct an explanation for Earth’s 4.6 billion year history and explore changes to Earth’s systems.
- Students develop and use a model of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.
- Students plan and carry out an investigation on the properties of water to determine its effects on Earth materials.
- Students use computational thinking to explain sustainable and natural resources, focusing on responsible stewardship.
- Additionally, students design and evaluate solutions to problems that exist in these areas.
Grading
This class adheres to the letter grading scale adopted here at Merit Academy.
| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | D- | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-93 | 92-90 | 89-87 | 86-83 | 82-80 | 79-77 | 76-73 | 72-70 | 69-67 | 66-63 | 62-60 | 59-0 |
- Labs and Projects = 50% of grade
- Tests and Final Projects = 30% of grade
- All Other Assignments = 20% of grade
Late Work and Resubmissions
- There will be time to make up assignments at the end of each unit. Please use this time. There will be no penalty for late assignments or assignment resubmissions.
- For test retakes, you can earn up to 50% of the points back by redoing the questions you missed or turning in the equivalent assignment provided. Most tests will have a short review or equation sheet that you will be allowed to use during the test, so if you prepare well and use the provided resources, you will do just fine.
Materials to Bring
- Pencil or Pen
- Somewhere to keep papers from class (folder, binder, etc.)
Behavior Expectations
- All policies found at https://www.meritprepacademy.org/policies will be honored. A notable change across Merit this year is the phones and electronics policy, where phones must be out of sight and silent bell to bell. Zero-tolerance.
- Hall pass usage - one student at a time, 10 minutes at most. More than 10 minutes counts as a sluff.
- Classroom Values
- Spirit - Exemplify high character, respect, and love.
- Opportunity - Seize the moment to try new things.
- Curiosity - Engage in scientific inquiry with child-like wonder.
- Perseverance - Be resilient and finish strong!
Optional Field Work
Part of the student experience at Merit Academy is field work, where students have meaningful learning experiences outside the class room. These are optional experiences and the dates are to be determined.
Clark Planetarium
$25 (bus, entry fee, food)
Clark Planetarium features three floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits. The topics are Earth, Near Earth, and Beyond.
BYU Paleontology and Planetarium
$10 (bus, entry fee for planetarium)
BYU has two locations with great relevance to earth systems, with topics ranging from climate change to the formation of the universe and its structures.
Geology Field Trip to the Canyon
$8 (bus)
Pick a canyon, any canyon (likely Provo, Hobble Creek, or Rock) to visualize Utah’s geologic history.