• Develops literacy, vocabulary!
• Secular LAB science!
• A thorough study of Geology!
• Hands-on activities make science relevant to the student!
• Develops critical thinking skills!
• Develops study in a self-determined manner!
• Lesson plans are complete and ready to use!  Start now!

My daughter has friends who are public schooled and home schooled. All her friends made positive comments on her (Steps) course.  One of her public schooled friends asks every visit to see what is new in the science notebook.  She says my daughter “gets to learn so much more” than she ever learns. K.O., Homeschool Mom
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Science for Step 4 students, ages 11-adult. 

A very detailed, hands-on, creative and comprehensive study of the planet we live on. Using Steps unique and powerful educational methods, college-level materials are made rapidly understandable and workable for younger, eager students!

Our very lives depend upon the processes and functions of this world we live on. Discover the Earth's secrets and wonders, from tectonic plates to the cause of volcanoes, earthquakes, and the forming of mountains. Tests and answer guides are included!

The first Step 4 Earth Sciences course, Geology covers in a complete manner all of the essentials of this subject. Built around the college level text, Geology, A Self-Teaching Guide (not included), and the documentary, Amazing Earth (not included), the student learns rapidly about such important concepts as how the planet came to be, plate tectonics, the mechanics of earthquakes and volcanic activity, the various sorts of materials in the Earth and how they differ from each other. Vital concepts in this area of study, such as erosion and weathering, radioactive dating, elements and isotopes, and the commercial uses that geological products and principles are put to, are also explored.

As in all the Steps courses, definitions of key or difficult words are covered before reading the materials , providing the student a chance to thoroughly understand what he reads the first time.  (The same approach is taken with videos.  Each one is thoroughly broken down for vocabulary, which is defined before viewing.)  

Then the written or viewed materials are studied.  This is followed by many exercises and experiments, done to make the subject far more fun, interesting, real and useful for the student. 

A Step 4 student should get this course done in a semester. A student should have completed Step 4 Advanced Science Basics , before taking this course, unless they already have a strong working understanding of science. Tests and answer guides are provided. 

This course requires additional materials not provided by STEPS, including a book or books, and possible films.  (Most films are easily found for free viewing, and we've provided links.)   The student will need the book Geology - A Self-Teaching Guide , by Barbara Murck, very easily secured.

78 big lesson plans, about 90-100 hours of work.  A full semester of science for many students.

Covered in this course:

• What is Geology
• Plate techtonics (in detail witrh proofs)
• How Earth was made (straight science, the section could be skipped for those who object)
• Minerals
• Rocks, kinds of rocks and rock formations
• The interior of our planet
• Earthquakes and how they're measured (in detail)
• Volcanoes
• Weathering and Erosion
• Geology and history(Can be skipped for those who object)
• Geology in our everyday lives

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I thought I knew a lot about Geology already, but it turns out there was a lot more I still had to learn.What I love about the Geology study guide is that it really explains the material well.  Nice and simple and right to the point.  I also think that STEPS did a good job putting the study guide together. With "Geology, A Self-Teaching Guide" and seeing "Amazing Earth" again along with this study guide, really makes Geology a fun subject to learn and simple to understand.

I have just started Oceanography and I love it already!  So thank you, for the mind-pleasing information that will stick with me for the rest of my life. 
H.B., 14 year-old student
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Wow! This is a very thorough, hands-on course in Geology. My boys loved it! 
K.B., Homeschool Mom
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Required materials:

   Books:
       Geology - A Self-Teaching Guide

   Films: (Links may be available in the course.)
       Amazing Earth
       Journey to the Center of the Earth
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Just wanted to say thanks once again! My DS14 has gone from 'hating' school science to now being fascinated and actually considering aiming for a career in zoology eventually! For a kid who had no goals at all as far as further education he's now excited when he talks about working with animals in the future. Your science curriculum has shown him that science doesn't need to be boring and dry. We now have big long discussions about all kinds of scientific theories and chemical reactions.   A.R., Homeschool Mom
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I really learned a lot on this course. I also had fun on it. I especially started winning at this course toward the end where I learned more about science than I ever could have in public school. This is a great course and I can't wait to start the next one!   C.G., Student, Age 12
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Before I didn't really like doing science, so I was falling behind. Now I love science and it is so much fun. I get a lot done and I will be one of the first to finish! This curriculum is so awesome, you get so much more out of it than you would with anything else.   J.C., 15 year-old student