Earth Science Syllabus
Course Name: Earth Science School Year 2023-2024
Course Instructor: Luke Mullisen [email protected]
Course Philosophy: Why should we study topics like Earth Science? Answer: for the glory of God. Some students say they’ll never use the information later in life - but students can’t predict the future. Where do today’s smart scientists come from? How did they get interested in the field of Earth Science? It usually starts in school. They became interested when they learned a little about God’s creation - and they wanted to learn more. This could be you.
Louis Pasteur, the famous French scientist said “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the creator. Science brings men nearer to God.” This class will cause you to stand amazed at God’s marvelous creation, and challenge you to learn about massive explosions and literally ground-shaking events! There will be some memorization, games and projects involved - but best of all - we get to make marble roller coasters, wind turbines, and construct and destroy spaghetti towers. For the glory of God.
Course Weights:
Daily Work. This category includes homework, in-class work, assigned reading, participation, or similar assignments. 20%
Formative Assessments. This category includes quizzes, or assignments/activities that are done to determine mastery prior to the end of a unit. 25%
Summative Assessments. This category includes tests, essays, projects, or presentations positioned at the end of a unit to assess student mastery. Mid-term and Final exams also fall into this category. 35%
Capstone Grade This category is for your capstone grade.20%
Late Work Policy: 15% point value will be deducted for each day an assignment is late.
Test Retake Policy: Per my discretion, I might allow students to retake one test, but the highest grade achievable on the retake will be a 70%, which is a C-.
Broad Course Objectives: Through the course of this year, students will demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the following categories:
Big Projects & Activities: Students will create a large-scale science fair project for STEM night!
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Most important item: Buy a Composition Notebook. (I'll also accept spiral bound notebook, but they fall apart fast). You need one for JUST science class. You’ll also need a pencil pouch that will fit in the rings of your binder (the larger the binder the better). In the pencil pouch you’ll need to bring at least two pencils and 1 or 2 highlighters. A black sharpie and large eraser are recommended, but not mandatory.
Grades will be posted online , and will be available upon request every day after school or by email. It is your responsibility to know what your grade is and work to keep it up.
A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69%
Below a 60% is failing. YEESH! See me right away! Let's fix that grade!
Remember supplies needed:
Parents: Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child! Please feel free to contact me at any time during the school week with questions or concerns about your child’s grade, or need help. [email protected]
Students: I’m excited! We’re going to have an amazing year together as we worship God through learning about his creation. He is so good, and his works are amazing. Let’s go!
Joyfully in Christ,
Luke Mullisen
"Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last." CT Studd
Course Instructor: Luke Mullisen [email protected]
Course Philosophy: Why should we study topics like Earth Science? Answer: for the glory of God. Some students say they’ll never use the information later in life - but students can’t predict the future. Where do today’s smart scientists come from? How did they get interested in the field of Earth Science? It usually starts in school. They became interested when they learned a little about God’s creation - and they wanted to learn more. This could be you.
Louis Pasteur, the famous French scientist said “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the creator. Science brings men nearer to God.” This class will cause you to stand amazed at God’s marvelous creation, and challenge you to learn about massive explosions and literally ground-shaking events! There will be some memorization, games and projects involved - but best of all - we get to make marble roller coasters, wind turbines, and construct and destroy spaghetti towers. For the glory of God.
Course Weights:
Daily Work. This category includes homework, in-class work, assigned reading, participation, or similar assignments. 20%
Formative Assessments. This category includes quizzes, or assignments/activities that are done to determine mastery prior to the end of a unit. 25%
Summative Assessments. This category includes tests, essays, projects, or presentations positioned at the end of a unit to assess student mastery. Mid-term and Final exams also fall into this category. 35%
Capstone Grade This category is for your capstone grade.20%
Late Work Policy: 15% point value will be deducted for each day an assignment is late.
Test Retake Policy: Per my discretion, I might allow students to retake one test, but the highest grade achievable on the retake will be a 70%, which is a C-.
Broad Course Objectives: Through the course of this year, students will demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the following categories:
- Philosophy of Science (what is science?)
- Matter (is dark matter real?)
- Geology (The Flood REALLY happened)
- Age of Earth (Thousands or Billions?)
- Earthquakes (fun labs await)
- Volcanoes (more fun labs await)
- Minerals (diamonds are my fav)
- Rocks (better than minecraft)
- Fossils (dead buried things)
- Erosions, Weathering
- The Atmosphere & Weather
- Astronomy!
Big Projects & Activities: Students will create a large-scale science fair project for STEM night!
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Most important item: Buy a Composition Notebook. (I'll also accept spiral bound notebook, but they fall apart fast). You need one for JUST science class. You’ll also need a pencil pouch that will fit in the rings of your binder (the larger the binder the better). In the pencil pouch you’ll need to bring at least two pencils and 1 or 2 highlighters. A black sharpie and large eraser are recommended, but not mandatory.
Grades will be posted online , and will be available upon request every day after school or by email. It is your responsibility to know what your grade is and work to keep it up.
A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69%
Below a 60% is failing. YEESH! See me right away! Let's fix that grade!
Remember supplies needed:
- composition notebook (spiral bound isn’t as good, but okay if you already bought one)
- pencil pouch
- LOTS of pencils (bring at least two each day)
- one or two highlighters (your choice of color!)
- sharpie and large eraser (recommended, not mandatory)
- a chicken biscuit (just kidding)
Parents: Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child! Please feel free to contact me at any time during the school week with questions or concerns about your child’s grade, or need help. [email protected]
Students: I’m excited! We’re going to have an amazing year together as we worship God through learning about his creation. He is so good, and his works are amazing. Let’s go!
Joyfully in Christ,
Luke Mullisen
"Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last." CT Studd