The Dynamic Earth: A Course for Educators

Ends in 6 days! Save 40% on your access to 10,000+ programs and make a real impact in your career. Save now.

The Dynamic Earth: A Course for Educators

Instructors: Edmond Mathez, Ph.D.

20,417 already enrolled

Included with Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

230 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

230 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

97%

Most learners liked this course

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 4 modules in this course

The AMNH course The Dynamic Earth: A Course for Educators provides students with an overview of the origin and evolution of the Earth. Informed by the recently released Next Generation Science Standards, this course examines geological time scales, radiometric dating, and how scientists “read the rocks.” We will explore dramatic changes in the Earth over the last 4 billion years, including how the evolution of life on Earth has affected its atmosphere. In addition to looking at geology on a global scale, participants will take to their own backyards to explore and share their local geologic history. Course participants will bring their understanding of the dynamic Earth - along with content resources, discussion questions, and assignments - into their own teaching.

You will explore the ways scientists study the rock record to determine the geologic history of the Earth.

What's included

4 videos5 readings1 assignment

4 videosTotal 20 minutes

Course Overview2 minutes
Introduction to the Course2 minutes
How Zircons Have Revolutionized Understanding of Early Earth11 minutes
The Rate of Decay5 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Resources10 minutes
About This Course10 minutes
Using Radiometric Dating to Determine the Age of Rocks and Mineral10 minutes
"Reading" a Rock to Get Its Age10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module One Quiz30 minutes

You will learn how the evolution of photosynthetic life changed the concentration of oxygen in the oceans and atmosphere, and how this is reflected in the rock record. You will also become familiar with how the Next Generation Science Standards connect to this week’s content. Finally, you will complete a written assignment: an analysis of a local geologic feature.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review

7 videosTotal 56 minutes

Evolution of Early Earth's Atmosphere11 minutes
Banded Iron Formation3 minutes
Stromatolites3 minutes
Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards: Part 113 minutes
Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards: Part 27 minutes
Local Geology Assignment: Part 110 minutes
Local Geology Assignment: Part 210 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Early Life10 minutes
Origin of Earth's Atmosphere10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module Two Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Peer Review: Analyze a Local Geologic Feature120 minutes

You will learn how convection causes solid rock to flow in the Earth’s mantle and how the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates forms mountains. You will also learn how to identify and address common student misconceptions about plate tectonics.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment

5 videosTotal 37 minutes

The Structure of Mountain Belts: The Swiss Alps12 minutes
Ductility of Rocks1 minute
Marble Deformation3 minutes
Scientists at Work: Mountain Building6 minutes
Addressing Student Misconceptions When Teaching Plate Tectonics15 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

How Rocks Flow10 minutes
Mantle Convection and Plate Tectonics10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module Three Quiz30 minutes

You will learn about earthquake risk. Using a multimedia teaching case about earthquake risk in Bangladesh, you will learn how scientists define and assess the risk from geologic events. You will also learn how to implement this or similar teaching cases with your students.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 assignment

7 videosTotal 38 minutes

Earthquake Risk16 minutes
Learning & Teaching with the Teaching Case5 minutes
Part One: Background3 minutes
Part Two: Data Collection4 minutes
Part Three: Results3 minutes
Part Four: Beyond Tectonics4 minutes
Closing Thoughts4 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Earthquake Risk in Bangladesh10 minutes
Resources10 minutes
Opportunities for Educators10 minutes
Support AMNH10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module Four Quiz30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(40 ratings)

Edmond Mathez, Ph.D.

American Museum of Natural History

1 Course20,417 learners

Offered by

American Museum of Natural History

Explore more from Environmental Science and Sustainability

Status: Preview
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Planet Earth...and You!
Course
Status: Preview
University of Colorado Boulder
Deep Time: Discovering an Ancient Earth
Course
Status: Preview
University of Manchester
Our Earth: Its Climate, History, and Processes
Course
Status: Preview
American Museum of Natural History
Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
77.39%
4 stars
13.91%
3 stars
6.52%
2 stars
1.30%
1 star
0.86%

Showing 3 of 230

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2020

Thoroughly enjoyed this course. The two presenters were excellent & the course materials very clear. I learned a lot about my own area in the local geology project.

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2018

Well organized and excellent resources for educatorsI liked the observation assignment as well because it put participants in the minds of students and gave a possible activity for completion.

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2018

Very interesting videos, talks and additional resources. It was exiting to make a research of a local geological feature.

View more reviews

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.