“Earth [is] a complex, constantly changing, “living” system, and something [we] are already part of and can help protect.” Amanda Gray

Earth Science is a large topic that can be understood most basically as any science that has to do with the Earth. This includes geology, meteorology, astronomy, and more. The Earth is a complex and interconnected system that is constantly changing. In this class, students are learning that not only does the Earth evolve on its own, but their actions affect the planet.

“I find the class interesting and we have done some really fun labs.” — Emmett G.

Every class, students are tasked with bringing in a relevant news article about earth science and then to discuss them. This emphasizes the fact that this science is not just something to study but rather is actively taking place, and everybody is contributing to it. This takes the student’s learning outside of the classroom and applies it to the real world, with real-world examples.

Amanda Gray is the teacher for this course, and she is extremely enthusiastic about it. She works as a math and science tutor at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) and has previously taught various math and science courses at TEEN DAY Ithaca. This is her first year teaching Earth Science, but she has naturally come across similar topics in her other courses. Her goal is to make math and science accessible and fun for everybody involved.

Students have already learned about the scientific method, geologic time, rock types, plate tectonics, and the water cycle. They will explore new topics as the year continues, such as meteorology, oceanography, astronomy, and environmental science. An advantage to learning about these topics at TEEN DAY is that the class can slow down for complicated concepts or if those interested are especially interested in a specific topic.

Another key aspect of this course is the labs and presentations. Labs present students with hands-on, tactical learning. TEEN DAY’s lab equipment is used alongside household items and everyday materials, highlighting the accessibility of earth science study. Students present on topics like minerals, water quality, and natural disasters. The goal of these presentations is to connect the concepts they have learned in class to real places and stories. This, again, highlights how these are things that students aren’t just learning in a textbook, but rather are real and applicable in the real world.

^{“I enjoy the class, and my favorite thing about it is at the beginning when we all share Earth science news stories, because I get to learn a little about what’s happening in science right now” — Walter H.}