Survey of Science Specialities Course Description This is the suggested course sequence that allows two core areas of science to be studied per semester. You can change the sequence of the semesters per the needs or interests of your student; materials within each semester are independent of one another to allow flexibility. Quarter 1: Archaeology The Archaeology Book takes you on an exciting exploration of history and ancient cultures. You will learn both the techniques of the archaeologist and the accounts of some of the richest discoveries of the Middle East that demonstrate the accuracy and historicity of the Bible. You will unearth: how archaeologists know what life was like in the past, why broken pottery can tell more than gold or treasure can, some of the difficulties in dating ancient artifacts, how the brilliance of ancient cultures demonstrates God’s creation, history of ancient cultures, including the Hittites, Babylonians, and Egyptians, the early development of the alphabet and its impact on discovery, the numerous archaeological finds that confirm biblical history. Quarter 2: Geology The Geology Book will teach: what really carved the Grand Canyon, how thick the Earth’s crust is, why the Earth is unique for life, the varied features of the Earth’s surface-from plains to peaks, how sedimentary deposition occurs through water, wind, and ice, effects of erosion, ways in which sediments become sedimentary rock, fossilization and the age of the dinosaurs, the powerful effects of volcanic activity, continental drift theory, radioisotope and carbon dating, geologic processes of the past. Our planet is a most suitable home. Its practical benefits are also enhanced by the sheer beauty of rolling hills, solitary plains, churning seas and rivers, and majestic mountains—all set in place by processes that are relevant to today’s entire population of this spinning rock we call home. Quarter 3: Cave Explore deep into the hidden wonders beneath the surface as cave expert Dr. Emil Silvestru takes you on an illuminating and educational journey through the mysterious world of caves. Discover the beautiful, thriving ecology, unique animals, and fragile balance of this little-seen ecosystem in caves from around the globe. The Cave Book will teach you about: a creationary model for how caves form, a history of how caves have been used by humans for shelter and worship, how old caves really are, the surprising world of Neanderthals and their connection to modern humans, how to make a stone axe and about early tools, just how long it really takes for cave formations to form, unusual animals that make caves their home, examples of how connected caves are to mythology of many cultures, the climate and geologic processes and features of caves and karst rocks, the process by which ice caves form, exploration, hazards, and record-setting caves, how caves form, and features above and below the surface. Quarter 4: Fossil Fossils have fascinated humans for centuries. But where did they come from, and how long have they been around? These and many other questions are answered in this remarkable book. The Fossil Book will teach you about: the origin of fossils, how to start your own fossil collection, what kinds of fossils can be commonly found, the age of fossils, how scientists find and preserve fossils, how to identify kinds of fossils, how the Flood affected fossil formation, the Geologic Column Diagram, the difference between evolutionists’ and creationists’ views on fossils, the “four Cs” of biblical creation, the different kinds of rocks fossils are found in, coal and oil formation. Learning about fossils, their origins, and how to collect them can be both fun and educational.