Earth & Space Science
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How This Class Works3 Steps
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Unit 1: Science and the Bible
Lesson 1: Introduction to Earth Science9 Steps|2 Quizzes-
Read from “The Heavens and the Earth”
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Watch "Two Models of Earth History" (50 min video)
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "What is Earth Science? How Do We Do Science?" (42 min video)
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Lesson 1 - Key Terms
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Lesson 1 - Review Questions
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Lesson 1 - Review Questions (Answers)
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(+) Scripture Study - Psalm 19, Genesis 1
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(+) Watch the film 'Is Genesis History?'
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Read from “The Heavens and the Earth”
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Unit 2: Rocks and MineralsLesson 2: Minerals7 Steps|3 Quizzes
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Lesson 3: The Rock Cycle and Igneous Rocks8 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 4: Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks8 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 5: Rock Identification Lab1 Step|2 Quizzes
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Unit 2 Review2 Quizzes
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Unit 3: Tectonics and VolcanoesLesson 6: Tectonics7 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 7: Geologic Forces7 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 8: Earthquakes9 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "Earthquakes" (54 min video)
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Lab: Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "Interior of the Earth and Geophysics (30 min video)
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Lesson 8 - Key Terms
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Lesson 8 - Review Questions
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Lesson 8 - Review Questions (Answers)
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(+) Scripture Study - Earthquakes
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Lesson 9: Volcanoes10 Steps|3 Quizzes
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "Volcanoes" (54 min video)
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "Mount St. Helens" (52 min video)
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Lab: Google Earth Volcanoes
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Lesson 9 - Key Terms
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Lesson 9 - Review Questions
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Lesson 9 - Review Questions (Answers)
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(+) Scripture Study - Volcanoes
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(+) Learn more about Mt. St. Helens
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Unit 3 Review2 Quizzes
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Unit 4: Dating, Earth History, and Noah's FloodLesson 10: Relative Dating6 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 11: Absolute Dating9 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Read from "The Heavens and Earth"
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Watch "Absolute Dating (Radioactive Dating)" (44 min video)
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "Scientific Evidence for a Young Earth" (35 min video)
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Lab: Absolute Dating
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Lesson 11 - Key Terms
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Lesson 11 - Review Questions
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Lesson 11 - Review Questions (Answers)
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(+) Watch "Set In Stone"
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Read from "The Heavens and Earth"
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Lesson 12: Fossils11 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Read "What is Paleontology?"
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Read "What is the Fossil Record?"
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Watch "The Fossil Record" (55 min video)
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Read "Fossilization and the Science of Taphonomy"
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Lab: Fossil Identification
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Lesson 12 - Key Terms
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Watch "Dinosaurs and the Bible" (39 min video)
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Lesson 12 - Review Questions
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Lesson 12 - Review Questions (Answers)
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(+) Scripture Study - Job 40-41
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(+) The Great Alaskan Dinosaur Adventure (book)
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Read "What is Paleontology?"
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Lesson 13: Earth's History - Two Contrasting Views5 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 14: Noah's Flood6 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 15: Geologic History - Lab5 Steps
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Lesson 16: Units 1-4 Review (+ Documentary Film)2 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Unit 5: Earth's Surface: Water and ProcessesLesson 17: Weathering6 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 18: Mass Wasting5 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Lesson 19: Streams8 Steps|2 Quizzes
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "Streams" (48 min video)
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Watch "The Missoula Flood and Channeled Scabland" (15 min video)
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Lesson 19 - Key Terms
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Lesson 19 - Review Questions
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Lesson 19 - Review Questions (Answers)
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(+) Scripture Study - Ecclesiastes 1:5-7
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Read from "The Heavens and the Earth"
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Lesson 20: Groundwater5 Steps
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Unit 6: Earth's FeaturesLesson 21: Glaciers and Deserts8 Steps
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Lesson 22: Earth's Resources5 Steps|1 Quiz
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Lesson 23: Oceans4 Steps
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Lesson 24: Coasts4 Steps
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Unit 7: Earth's AtmosphereLesson 25: Earth's Atmosphere4 Steps
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Lesson 26: Climate Change6 Steps|1 Quiz
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Lesson 27: Atmospheric Processes5 Steps
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Lesson 28: Weather5 Steps|1 Quiz
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Unit 8: SpaceLesson 29: Our Solar System
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Lesson 30: Beyond Our Solar System
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Lesson 31: The Origin of the Universe
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Lesson 32: Units 5-8 Review1 Step
Introduction & Overview (11 min video)

Note: This class currently is under construction. Although it has most lectures and readings now available, quizzes and labs are still being added to the second semester. The final unit covers astronomy: those lectures will be taught by the astronomer Dr. Danny Faulkner, and should be available in October. Since they are the final lectures in the class you won’t get to them until late Spring 2026.
Please excuse our dust as we continue to build the class.
What is Earth and Space Science?
Earth and space science studies the physical portions of creation. It include the fields of geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. These sciences have an important influence on issues such as climate, energy and resource management, Earth’s history, weather, geologic hazards, and much more. This course studies the physical aspects of creation from both a biblical perspective and a conventional perspective allowing students to think and engage critically on these issues to the glory of God.
Meet Your Instructor: Dr. John Whitmore
Dr. Whitmore has been teaching geology at Cedarville University since 1991. He has many areas of interest and research including fossil fish taphonomy, Grand Canyon geology, the Flood/post-Flood boundary and cross-bedded sandstones, especially the Coconino Sandstone of the Grand Canyon.
Dr. Whitmore has also published many works in conventional, creationist, and lay publications. He is coauthor of The Heavens and the Earth and The Great Alaskan Dinosaur Adventure. He frequently guides raft trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon with Answers in Genesis and Canyon Ministries.
Dr. Whitmore has a Bachelors of Science in Geology from Kent State University (1985), an MS in Geology from the Institute for Creation Research (1991) and a PhD in Biology with a Paleontology emphasis from Loma Linda University (2003). His memberships include the Geological Society of America, the Creation Geology Society, and the Creation Research Society. He is the editor for the International Conference on Creationism. He travels internationally for research and speaking opportunities.
Dr. Whitmore married his wife Jamie in 1988. They have six children and five grandchildren.
Watch an introduction and overview of the class by Dr. Whitmore.