1. Uniformitarianism What is the “textbook” definition of Uniformitarianism? What geologist first came up with the concept of using the present to study the past and when did he come up with this idea? Lyell’s views about uniformity were in direct contrast to what popular beliefs? Compare actualism and uniformitarianism

2. Biogeochemical Cycles Define biogeocemical cycle Are biogeochemical cycles considered open or closed systems? Explain. What elements are the primary focus of scientists studying biogeochemical cycles? What are the key concepts considered when studying biogeochemical cycles?

3. End of the Line for a Star Like Ours Define a Main Sequence Star Explain the relationship between a star’s mass and how long it will survive How big is the Sun compared to other stars What do you think will happen to the Earth and other planets in the solar system as the Sun grows to red- giant-star size with a diameter many times that of the Sun’s present size How do gravity and the nuclear processes involved in a star’s energy production relate to the lifecycle of stars? Describe the life cycles of stars based on their mass.

4. Formation of the Earth’s Atmosphere and Ocean Summarize the three hypotheses for the formation of the atmosphere and ocean Compare the age of the atmosphere and ocean Compare the formation of the atmosphere and ocean Describe how the atmosphere and ocean have changed over time

5. What is the Fate of Life on Earth Why is it unlikely that life will continue until the end of the solar system? What three problems will challenge the future of life on Earth

6. How Old is the Universe When were scientists finally able to approximate the age of the Universe? What tool enabled scientists to accurately approximate the age of the Universe? Prior to this time, what range existed for the age of the Universe? Why do astronomers think that the age of globular clusters is approximately the age of the Universe? Note: globular clusters are groups of stars all tied together by gravity. Describe how scientists finally determined the age of the Universe. What is that age?

7. How Did The Big Bang Happen What evidence exists to support the Big Bang Theory? What tools are used to collect and test this evidence? Why is the question “What came before the Big Bang” outside the realm of science? Describe the first second of the Big Bang using a timeline? What was the result of the Big Bang?

8. What is the Fate of the Universe Who was the first person to really challenge the foreverness of the Universe? What evidence did this person provide for a finite Universe? Describe the three (3) scenarios for the fate of the Universe that were popular in the 1980’s. What is the Inflation Hypothesis? What does a study of white dwarf stars tell us about the Universe? (Note: White dwarf stars are old, cold stars). What is the most likely scenario for the fate of the Universe and on what does this scenario depend?

9. Formation of the Solar System Compare the five different theories for the formation of the solar system. Describe some of the different methods used to date the Earth and the Solar System Describe the Nebular Hypothesis

10. How Did The Moon Form Compare Earth’s moon to the moons of other planets Describe the early theories for the formation of the moon Why were the Apollo missions so important in revising theories about moon formation Compare Earth’s moon to the moons of other planets Describe the early theories for the formation of the moon Why were the Apollo missions so important in revising theories about moon formation

11. How Did Galaxies Form Which came first – galaxies, stars, or black holes Describe the “infant” Universe Describe the ELS Model and the Megerer Theory of galaxy formation

13. Rubric Power Point – 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide3 pts – Includes Pictures3 pts – Spelling and Grammar Correct3 pts – Covers all topics on handout3 pts – Includes information not found in articles2 pts Teacher – Engaging1 pt – Considerate of Student Questions and Comments2 pts Student – Attentive4 pts – Respectful of teacher and other students4 pts

14. Rubric Power Point – 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide3 pts – Includes Pictures3 pts – Spelling and Grammar Correct3 pts – Covers all topics on handout3 pts – Includes information not found in articles2 pts Teacher – Engaging1 pt – Considerate of Student Questions and Comments2 pts Student – Attentive4 pts – Respectful of teacher and other students4 pts

15. Rubric Power Point – 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide3 pts – Includes Pictures3 pts – Spelling and Grammar Correct3 pts – Covers all topics on handout3 pts – Includes information not found in articles2 pts Teacher – Engaging1 pt – Considerate of Student Questions and Comments2 pts Student – Attentive4 pts – Respectful of teacher and other students4 pts

16. Rubric Power Point – 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide3 pts – Includes Pictures3 pts – Spelling and Grammar Correct3 pts – Covers all topics on handout3 pts – Includes information not found in articles2 pts Teacher – Engaging1 pt – Considerate of Student Questions and Comments2 pts Student – Attentive4 pts – Respectful of teacher and other students4 pts

17. Rubric Power Point – 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide3 pts – Includes Pictures3 pts – Spelling and Grammar Correct3 pts – Covers all topics on handout3 pts – Includes information not found in articles2 pts Teacher – Engaging1 pt – Considerate of Student Questions and Comments2 pts Student – Attentive4 pts – Respectful of teacher and other students4 pts

18. Rubric Power Point – 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide3 pts – Includes Pictures3 pts – Spelling and Grammar Correct3 pts – Covers all topics on handout3 pts – Includes information not found in articles2 pts Teacher – Engaging1 pt – Considerate of Student Questions and Comments2 pts Student – Attentive4 pts – Respectful of teacher and other students4 pts