This full-year course provides an introduction to four areas of study in the field of science. The first area is the nature of science and technology, in which students will study what science is and how it is useful in their everyday lives. The second area is geology, which includes the study of earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, minerals and rocks. The third area is environmental science, in which students will study three primary environmental issues: resource use, population growth and pollution. The final area of the course is astronomy, in which students will study the solar system and its many parts.