![Image of Earth from space.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783522852/district287org/npobp1y6g2tjbvaxhjw0/EarthandSpaceScience.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1783522852/district287org/npobp1y6g2tjbvaxhjw0/EarthandSpaceScience.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783522852/district287org/npobp1y6g2tjbvaxhjw0/EarthandSpaceScience.png","width":800}])
Course Description
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the complex systems that shape our planet and its place in the cosmos. Students will investigate the factors that make Earth uniquely habitable while exploring the broader questions of life in the universe through the lenses of stellar stability, planetary formation, and astrobiology. By analyzing geological, atmospheric, and human-driven processes, students develop the scientific literacy needed to understand and address global challenges.
Throughout the course, students will study the mechanics behind devastating geological hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis, model the intense atmospheric forces that drive severe weather, and analyze the scientific consensus surrounding human-caused climate change. Ultimately, students will transition from analyzing these global risks to actively designing sustainable solutions, utilizing computational models to predict future environmental patterns and mitigate human impact on our planet.
Available starting Fall 2026
Credits Offered
Semester
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Semester A (0.5)
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Semester B (0.5)
Quarter
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Quarter A (0.25)
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Quarter B (0.25)
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Quarter C (0.25)
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Quarter D (0.25)
Trimester
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Trimester A (0.33)
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Trimester B (0.33)
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Trimester C (0.33)
Any credit can be taken at any point in the school year. (See NSO Terms & Dates for more information).
- School Year
- Summer