Curated OER
Sandwich Stratigraphy
Two activities are included in this resource. In the first, junior geologists model sedimentary rock layers, apply the Law of Superposition, and demonstrate folding and faulting of the Earth's crust. The model is technically a sandwich....
DiscoverE
Core Sampling
Simulate soil sample assemblages. Individuals create soil layers in a cup. They then use straws to collect core samples from these layers. What information can they glean from the core samples, I wonder?
Curated OER
Relative Age Dating
Modeling dough and paper cutouts in science class? Learn about how relative age dating concepts, like the Law of Superposition and cross-cutting relationships, can be used to describe the formation of sedimentary layers.
Curated OER
Layer Cake Archaeology
Excavating cake? Why not! Kids spoon into some layers and artifacts during this tasty hands-on activity. The cake, a simulated archaeological dig, is the object of observation and discussion.
Curated OER
Transparent Shoebox Dig
Take this simulated archaeological dig one layer at a time with your young pupils to encourage observation, critical thinking, and careful attention. Using a transparent box full of layers of sand and artifacts, pupils examine the...
Curated OER
Take a Stab!
Your geology class practices taking core samples of a potato to examine the stratigraphy. This is a terrific modeling lesson that helps youngsters visualize strata that cannot be seen from the surface of the ground. The directions...
Curated OER
Understanding Lava Layers
Seventh graders view "Volcano" by National Geographic Video. They experiment with baking soda and study lava flow. They describe volcano and earthquake patterns. They analyze weather and climate changes and how they relate to the natural...
Curated OER
Mapping and Excavating a Jello Mold
Learners simulate how archaeologists excavate sites by "searching" their own site in the form of a Jello mold. They use a grid to map the objects in the Jello mold as well as looking at three layers of Jello to understand stratigraphy...
Curated OER
Take a Stab!
Students construct an experiment to test the rigidity of compressed air and its strength. In this earth science lesson plan, students are divided into groups, and by putting their thumb over the end of a straw, use the compressed air...
Curated OER
What's in the Soil?
Second graders create stratified soil levels using pictures. In this earth science instructional activity, 2nd graders identify "artifacts" from 3 historic eras and divide them into 3 soil levels. Then they draw their own multi-level...
Curated OER
Relative Dating in Archaeology
Students create a timeline that explains how ancient cultures used artifacts. In this Relative Dating in Archaeology lesson, students examine artifacts and draw conclusions about their origins. Then students analyze antiquated objects or...
Curated OER
Stratigraphy -- Layers of Time in the Earth
Students are introduced to the process of stratification. Using the internet, they read about the Richard Beene archeological site near San Antonio. Using a map, they color code the different layers present at this site and answer...
Curated OER
Garbage Can Archaeology
Young scholars explore the use of stratigraphy to date objects by sorting the material in the wastebasket. They make a list of actual items from the garbage can and their possible uses and categorize the artifacts.
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Curated OER
Developing a Local Stratigraphy
Students examine rock strata for the distribution, deposition, and age of sedimentary rock. They describe rock types in a variety of outcrops and construct a regional stratigraphy.
Curated OER
Relative Dating In Archeology
Students generate a time line, interpreting the ways in which past peoples may have used the artifacts at their disposal. Students also develop a poster showing a theoretical stratigraphic deposit, and then analyze the cultural materials...
University of California
Ucmp: The Paleozoic Era
An excellent overview of the Paleozoic Era. It also provides a chart where you can learn information regarding each of the time frames within the era.
University of California
Ucmp: Web Geological Time Machine
The Museum of Paleontology at Berkeley offers an online geological time machine which allows you to catch a glimpse of ancient eras in earth's history. Click into an "Era" to learn about its stratigraphy, life forms, localities, and...
![Indiana University: Generalized Stratigraphic Column of Indiana Bedrock [Pdf] Graphic](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Indiana University: Generalized Stratigraphic Column of Indiana Bedrock [Pdf] Graphic")
Indiana University
Indiana University: Generalized Stratigraphic Column of Indiana Bedrock [Pdf]
The discipline of stratigraphy looks at the order and relative position of strata and their relationship to the geological timescale. This chart shows the strata of Indiana from the Pre-Cambrian to the Pennsylvanian Periods.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Relative Dating in Archaeology [Pdf]
Activities for the classroom that teach about stratigraphy and seriation, two methods used in the relative dating of objects in archaeology.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Anthropocene
What kind of evidence could demonstrate that humans have begun to dominate and alter the life systems of Earth and have entered a new geological epoch? This article discusses the suggestion that we have entered the Anthropocene and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Geologic Stories: Retreating Waterfalls and Fossils
A geology field investigation where students investigate fossiliferous limestone, the study local stratigraphy, and understand how glaciers and rivers have shaped the community.
Math Science Nucleus
I. Science Ma Te: Integrating Science, Math and Technology
This site offers a wealth of online textbook-related materials that encourage the discovery of science in the world around us. Enter the site to access material on specific topics. Each section contains reading material (complete with...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Most Groundbreaking Scientist You've Never Heard Of
Seventeenth-century Danish geologist Nicolas Steno earned his chops at a young age, studying cadavers and drawing anatomic connections between species. Addison Anderson recounts Steno's little-known legacy and lauds his insistence on...
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Geology of the National Parks
Access, from one index page, to three-dimensional photographs of all U.S. national parks. Standard photographic images and tours and selected geological resources (e.g., stratigraphic maps) for each park can also be linked to from this...