Adventures in Earth and Environmental Science Book 1

Dr Peter T Scott
Dr Scott has a passion for teaching and learning. At 5 years old he decided to be a teacher and set out to be one. Graduating from Sydney Teachers' College with a Certificate of Teaching in Junior Secondary Science he was appointed to a new school in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory, at age nineteen as Acting Head of Science. Returning to his home state of New South Wales he continued as a teacher and then as a Head of department in the State's Department of Education. He completed his Bachelor of Science (Geoscience) from the University of NSW, Australia in 1974 by part-time studies and in 1976 was seconded to the University of New England, Australia, where he developed and lectured in their first program of science teacher training. Here he also began a part-time research Masters' degree in field geology, which he completed in 1982.

During this time he was Head of Science and Agriculture at Warialda High in the northwest of the state, operating a model department, giving in-service courses for teachers, and was active in and president of various teacher organisations.

Moving to the State of Queensland at the end of 1984, he started again as a probationary teacher but was soon promoted to Head of Science at Ipswich State High. In 1988 he accepted the position of Head of Earth Science at the prestigious Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane and also completed his research Masters' degree in Educational Administration from UNE. In 1999 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Education for further research by the Australian Catholic University. During this time he also was an advisor to the State Government and was Head of the State Syllabus Committee in Earth Science.

In 2008 he was honoured by the award of State Teacher of the Year for services to Earth Sciences.

Peter had his first geology textbook published in 1975, and this was still used in schools until 2006 despite its being out of print for years. He currently travels, writes and is an educational consultant and researcher.

table of contents

1. Why “Adventures” in Earth and Environmental Science? 2. Studying Earth and Environmental Science; 3. Writing Practical Reports; Safety in the Classroom Laboratory; Safety in the Field. 1.1 Introduction to Systems;1.2 Introduction to Scientific Observation: Examination of a Fossil Specimen;1.3 Measurement Exercise: Size of feldspar Crystals.;1.4 Using a Topographical Map. 2.1 Rotation of the Earth; 2.2 Tides. 3.1 Correlation Exercise; 3.2 Mapping Inclined Beds; 3.3 Mapping Faulted Beds; 3.4 Mapping Folded Beds; 3.5 Mapping Igneous Intrusions; 3.6 Mapping Unconformities; 3.7 Geological History; 3.8 Half Life of Radioactive Iodine 131 (Graphing Exercise); 3.9 Size of the Earth. 4.1 Some Common Rock-forming Minerals; 4.2 Growing Crystals; 4.3 Measuring Specific Gravity; 4.4 Geochemistry. 5.1 Some Common Igneous Rocks; 5.2 Igneous Rock Textures and Composition. 6.1 Some Common Sedimentary Rocks; 6.2 Modal Analysis of Sediment. 7.1 Some Common Metamorphic Rocks; Alternative Experiment Some Common Rocks. 8.1 Weathering; 8.2 Introduction to Stream Table Experiments; 8.3 Soil Testing Experiments. 9.1 Karst Simulation; 9.2 The Shape of Rivers; 9.3 Stereopairs and Landforms.10.1 The Properties of Water; 10.2 Mapping the Depths; 10.3 Water Sampling Techniques.11.1 Relative Humidity; 11.2 The Aneroid Barometer; 11.3 Weather Log.12.1 Introduction to the Biological Microscope; 12.2 Examination of a Plant Cell – Onion Epidermal Cells; 12.3 Examination of an Animal Cell – Human Cheek Epidermal Cells; 12.4 Classification of Organisms; 12.5 Examination of Some Common Fossils.13.1 Law of Conservation of Energy; 13.2 Anaerobic and Aerobic Respiration; 13.3 Energy and the Water Cycle. 14.1 Radiation and the Inverse Square Law; 14.2 Modeling the Greenhouse Effect; 14.3 Convection Currents; 14.4 Photosynthesis; 14.5 Population Growth of a Bacteria Colony (Video Exercise)

appendix a:  risk assessment of practical work and excursions

appendix b: excursion permission note                      ...