Colorado State University
If You Can't Predict the Weather, How Can You Predict the Climate?
Why is the weather man wrong so often? Young climatologists discover how chaos rules both weather and climate through a math-based activity. Using an iterative equation, the class examines how small day-to-day weather events total up to...
Curated OER
Investigating the Climate System - Clouds
Here is a fabulous lesson on the Earth's radiant energy system. This amazing, 31-page document is chock-full of great activities, worksheets, lab sheets, quizzes, rubrics, and assessments. Learners model and explain cloud formation,...
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Layers of the Atmosphere Foldable
Aspiring meteorologists make themselves a tool for reviewing the characteristics of each layer of the atmosphere. The procedure for this little project divides the paper into five sections, but many earth science teachers opt for the...
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The Goldilocks Principle: A Model of Atmospheric Gases
Students discuss the characteristics of the Goldilocks Principle. They discover the pressure and chemical composition of Venus and Mars. They discuss how the Earth's temperature is affected by the atmosphere.
Montana State University
Climb into Action!
Climate change affects even the largest and intimidating of landforms—even Mount Everest! A resource helps teach learners the connection between global climate change and its effects on Earth. Activities include videos, class discussion,...
Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: From a Distance
Challenge your class with an amazing set of ideas that really put the project back into project-based learning. It all starts with a whole class research task. Each learner will look up and take notes on multiple facets of things that...
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Earth's Magnetic Field and Magnetosphere
High schoolers investigate the magnitude of Earth's magnetic field using PASCO. In this physics lesson, students describe the features of the magnetosphere. They explain how atmosphere layers protect the Earth.
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Interplanetary Travel Guide
In groups of six, middle school space scientists create an imaginative travel brochure for attracting visitors to the planet Mars. Information must include surface features and atmospheric conditions. Although time-consuming, this is a...
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The Search for El Nino
Sixth graders complete an El Nino scavenger hunt. In this earth science instructional activity, 6th graders describe the conditions that create El Nino and compare it to normal condition. They discuss how this phenomenon affects marine...
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Earth Energy Budget Pre Lab
Learners explore energy by conducting an in class experiment. In this climate change instructional activity, students conduct a water vapor experiment in a soda bottle. Learners utilize graphs and charts to analyze the results of the...
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Nitrogen Cycle-Stream Side Science
A thorough background and nitrate sampling lab sheet are provided to share with your young scientists. After discussing the nitrogen cycle with the class, you will break them into small groups and show them how to use their inquiry...
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Air and Weather
Second graders study Earth's materials. In this air and weather lesson, 2nd graders note changes in the weather and examine tools that help us study the weather. Students analyze how changes in the environment make changes in the...
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Earth's Warming Climate: Are We Responsible
Young scholars examine the atmospheric data for CO2. In this web-based atmospheric lesson, student follow instructions to examine and plot on-line scientific data about the CO2 levels in our atmosphere and analyze the changes found in...
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Conditions at Sea Data Activity
Students study how to forecast sea conditions. In this oceanography lesson students complete a class activity on wave making.
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Your Own Greenhouse
Young scholars discuss the similarities between the Earth's atmosphere and a greenhouse. In this science lesson, students make their own greenhouses out of plastic bottles and thermometers. Young scholars record the temperature different...
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Asteroids
Young scholars examine the different types of asteroids and how they enter the atmosphere. In this space lesson students use mashed potatoes to create an asteroid they can eat.
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When Dinosaurs Ruled
Students research about plants and animals during Triassic period. In this earth science lesson, students draw pictures of their chosen plants and plants for the bulletin board. They present their project in class.
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Volcanic IntEruptions
Seventh graders research about a devastating eruption of a certain volcano. In this earth science lesson plan, 7th graders discover the climate changes that occurred due to a volcanic eruption. They create a presentation about their...
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Water Cycle
Students identify the different stages in the water cycle. In this earth science lesson, students calculate the residence time of water in oceans using a mathematical formula. They explain how this cycle regulates the Earth's climate.
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Geologic Sequestration
Learners investigate how geologic sequestration reduces carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. For this earth science lesson, students simulate oil mining in the lab. They write down their observations and complete the lab...
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Weather, Sea Level Rise and Climate Change
Eighth graders compare and contrast weather and climate. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders research weather data site and analyze historical data. They present their findings in class and explain identifiable trends.
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What is Air?
Students investigate air by participating in a class experiment. In this matter measurement lesson, students identify air as a gas which consists of mass. Students utilize a windsock or balloon to measure oxygen and explore it's true...
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Puzzle it Out
Students study the Earth's climatic system and construct a puzzle that names all of the pieces of the components involved. In this Climate instructional activity, students draw a picture on a puzzle piece depicting a specific...
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Meteors
Students identify the different types of meteorite using an interactive website. In this earth science lesson, students simulate how meteors crash on a surface. They relate meteor size to crater size.