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Earth Science Foundations (Semester 1)

Course Description:

This introductory Earth Science course is designed to study all aspects of our planet, including earth, water, atmosphere, and space as they impact our universe. This course will provide you with information to effectively investigate and study the interactions of the earth and its processes. The first semester will examine the scientific method, rocks and minerals, landforms, weathering and erosion, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and oceanography.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Earth Science Foundations (Semester 1)
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Earth Science
Course Provider : Genesee ISD
Content Provided By : Fuel Education LLC
Online Instructor Provided By : Fuel Education LLC
Standards Addressed : Common Core State Standards
Academic Terms : Open Entry / Open Exit
NCES SCED Code :
Subject Area : Life and Physical Sciences
Course Identifier : Earth Science
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 2

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://www.gennet.us
Email : [email protected]
Phone : 810-591-4401

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

Start Registration Request

Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost: $0.0

Additional Cost Description: Most courses have no additional costs; however some have required books or other materials that are not included in the course. Some required books or other materials may be available for checkout from schools or public libraries. See the provider's course description for required books/materials or call 810-591-4401 for assistance.

Differentiate among the various areas of earth science, including geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. List steps commonly used in the scientific method. Apply the scientific method to solve problems. Distinguish among hypotheses, theories, and laws. Identify the SI units of measurement commonly used in science. Identify properties of atoms and how to distinguish one atom from another. Contrast the four states of matter. List the physical properties used to identify minerals. Describe the characteristics of minerals and how they form. Describe the rock cycle and the changes that may occur. Compare and contrast the differences between igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and how they form. Differentiate between plains and plateaus. Compare and contrast different types of mountains. Differentiate between latitude and longitude and describe how they are used to identify locations. Explain the effects of climate on weathering, and understand the difference between mechanical and chemical weathering. Describe layers of soil and analyze factors that contribute to its formation. Define erosion and deposition and describe ways that erosion can be reduced in some high-risk areas. Compare various types of erosion. Explain the processes that take place at plate boundaries. Relate Earth features and processes that change Earth. Describe how the processes that take place at plate boundaries continue to shape Earth. Understand and describe the processes of plate tectonics. Identify the effects of earthquakes and volcanic activity. Assess the value of water as a resource. Describe factors that affect water quality and flow through a water system. Explain the significance and contribution of water as a resource to living things and the shaping of the land. Compare and contrast different types of shorelines. Describe the composition and origin of ocean water. Relate aquatic life to water conditions. Describe the characteristics of oceans. Determine the relative ages of rocks and rock formations. Demonstrate the difference between relative and radiometric dating. Describe the techniques used for dating fossils. Examine the ideas relating to the age of the Earth. State the different layers of our atmosphere and describe their differences. State what causes air pressure and how it is measured. Discuss how scientists predict weather based on air pressure. State how heat energy affects Earth's atmosphere. Discuss how air pressure affects temperature. Understand and explain the causes of severe weather conditions. Describe and demonstrate how wind is measured. Measure water vapor, precipitation and humidity. List the types of weather fronts. State how Earth's motion affects the length of day and night. Discuss how Earth's tides are related to its moon. Name and describe the planets and other objects in our solar system. Describe how astronomers study the universe. Determine longitude and latitude. List the benefits of past space exploration, both manned and unmanned. Discuss basic rocket propulsion.

iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Academic Content Standards and Assessments Rating Comments
The goals and objectives clearly state what the participants will know or be able to do at the end of the course. The goals and objectives are measurable in multiple ways. Fully Met
The course content and assignments are aligned with the state’s content standards, Common Core curriculum, or other accepted content standards set for Advanced Placement® courses, technology, computer science, or other courses whose content is not included in the state standards. Partially Met
The course content and assignments are of sufficient rigor, depth and breadth to teach the standards being addressed. Fully Met
Information literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum. Fully Met
Multiple learning resources and materials to increase student success are available to students before the course begins. Fully Met
Course Overview and Introduction Rating Comments
Clear, complete course overview and syllabus are included in the course. Fully Met
Course requirements are consistent with course goals, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. Fully Met
Information is provided to students, parents and mentors on how to communicate with the online instructor and course provider. Fully Met
Legal and Acceptable Use Policies Rating Comments
The course reflects multi-cultural education, and the content is accurate, current and free of bias or advertising. Fully Met
Expectations for academic integrity, use of copyrighted materials, plagiarism and netiquette (Internet etiquette) regarding lesson activities, discussions, and e-mail communications are clearly stated. Fully Met
Privacy policies are clearly stated. Fully Met
Instructor Resources Rating Comments
Online instructor resources and notes are included. Fully Met
Assessment and assignment answers and explanations are included. Fully Met
Accessing Course Effectiveness Rating Comments
The course provider uses multiple ways of assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
The course is evaluated using a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness and the findings used as a basis for improvement. Fully Met
Course Updates Rating Comments
The course is updated periodically to ensure that the content is current. Fully Met
Certification Rating Comments
Course instructors, whether faceto-face or virtual, are certificated and “highly qualified.” The online course teacher possesses a teaching credential from a state-licensing agency and is “highly qualified” as defined under ESEA. Fully Met
Instructor and Student Support Rating Comments
Professional development about the online course delivery system is offered by the provider to assure effective use of the courseware and various instructional media available. Fully Met
The course provider offers technical support and course management assistance to students, the course instructor, and the school coordinator. Fully Met
Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, have been provided professional development in the behavioral, social, and when necessary, emotional, aspects of the learning environment. Fully Met
Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, receive instructor professional development, which includes the support and use of a variety of communication modes to stimulate student engagement online. Fully Met
The provider assures that course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, are provided support, as needed, to ensure their effectiveness and success in meeting the needs of online students. Fully Met
Students are offered an orientation for taking an online course before starting the coursework. Fully Met
Instructional and Audience Analysis Rating Comments
Course design reflects a clear understanding of all students’ needs and incorporates varied ways to learn and master the curriculum. Fully Met
Course, Unit and Lesson Design Rating Comments
The course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Each unit and lesson includes an overview describing objectives, activities, assignments, assessments, and resources to provide multiple learning opportunities for students to master the content. Fully Met
Instructional Strategies and Activities Rating Comments
The course instruction includes activities that engage students in active learning. Fully Met
The course and course instructor provide students with multiple learning paths, based on student needs that engage students in a variety of ways. Fully Met
The course provides opportunities for students to engage in higher-order thinking, critical reasoning activities and thinking in increasingly complex ways. Fully Met
The course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate students’ needs. Fully Met
Readability levels, written language assignments and mathematical requirements are appropriate for the course content and grade-level expectations. Fully Met
Communication and Interaction Rating Comments
The course design provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student interaction, including opportunities for timely and frequent feedback about student progress. Fully Met
The course design includes explicit communication/activities (both before and during the first week of the course) that confirms whether students are engaged and are progressing through the course. The instructor will follow program guidelines to address non-responsive students. Fully Met
The course provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student and student-student interaction to foster mastery and application of the material. Fully Met
Resources and Materials Rating Comments
Students have access to resources that enrich the course content. Fully Met
Evaluation Strategies Rating Comments
Student evaluation strategies are consistent with course goals and objectives, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. Fully Met
The course structure includes adequate and appropriate methods and procedures to assess students’ mastery of content. Fully Met
Feedback Rating Comments
Ongoing, varied, and frequent assessments are conducted throughout the course to inform instruction. Fully Met
Assessment strategies and tools make the student continuously aware of his/her progress in class and mastery of the content. Fully Met
Assessment Resources and Materials Rating Comments
Assessment materials provide the instructor with the flexibility to assess students in a variety of ways. Fully Met
Grading rubrics are provided to the instructor and may be shared with students. Fully Met
The grading policy and practices are easy to understand. Fully Met
Course Architecture Rating Comments
The course architecture permits the online instructor to add content, activities and assessments to extend learning opportunities. Fully Met
The course accommodates multiple school calendars; e.g., block, 4X4 and traditional schedules. Fully Met
User Interface Rating Comments
Clear and consistent navigation is present throughout the course. Fully Met
Rich media are provided in multiple formats for ease of use and access in order to address diverse student needs. Fully Met
Technology Requirements and Interoperability Rating Comments
All technology requirements (including hardware, browser, software, etc...) are specified. Fully Met
Prerequisite skills in the use of technology are identified. Fully Met
The course uses content-specific tools and software appropriately. Fully Met
The course is designed to meet internationally recognized interoperability standards. Fully Met
Copyright and licensing status, including permission to share where applicable, is clearly stated and easily found. Fully Met
Accessibility Rating Comments
Course materials and activities are designed to provide appropriate access to all students. The course, developed with universal design principles in mind, conforms to the U.S. Section 504 and Section 508 provisions for electronic and information technology as well as the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAg 2.0). Fully Met
Data Security Rating Comments
Student information remains confidential, as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Fully Met

Review Conducted By: Fuel Education LLC
Date of Review: 07/11/2014

Unit 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Section 1 - What is Earth Science?
Section 2 - Scientific Methods
Section 3 - Measurement

Unit 2: Earth’s Materials
Section 1 - Matter
Section 2 - Minerals
Section 3 - Rocks

Unit 3: The Surface of the Earth
Section 1 - Physical Features of the Earth
Section 2 - Weathering and Soil
Section 3 - Erosion

Unit 4: The Interior of the Earth
Section 1 - Plate Tectonics
Section 2 - Earthquakes


Section 3 - Volcanoes

Unit 5: The World’s Water
Section 1 - Fresh Water
Section 2 - Ocean Movement
Section 3 - Oceanography
Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Open Entry / Open Exit 07/01/2023 06/30/2024 100 $270 $0
Open Entry / Open Exit 07/01/2023 06/30/2024 100 $275 $0
Open Entry / Open Exit 07/01/2023 06/30/2024 100 $300 $0
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Enrollments earning 60% or more of the total course points are considered course completions and will be charged the final 20% payment. Open Entry / Open Exit 07/01/2023 06/30/2024
Open Entry / Open Exit 07/01/2023 06/30/2024
K-5: Extensions are not available. 6-12: 4-week extensions are available for $50 per enrollment (maximum 2 extensions per 18-week enrollment). 6-12: 2-week extensions are available for $25 per enrollment (maximum 2 extensions per 9-week enrollment). Open Entry / Open Exit 07/01/2023 06/30/2024
Students can contact their online instructor as needed. Online instructors have posted office hours, and provide contact information.
School Year Enrollment Count Pass Count Completion Rate Notes
19-20 1 1 100.0%
14-15 4 3 75.0%
13-14 8 5 62.5% Enrollment data include all enrollments (21f and non-21f) for the Spring and Summer 2013-14 school year.
N/A