Curated OER
Earth's Changing Atmosphere
Students examine the constant changing of the Earth's atmosphere. After labeling the layers of the Earth, they identify various processes inside the Earth that can cause gases to be emitted. Using the internet, they research how the...
Curated OER
The Earth Moves Under My Feet
Students study earthquakes, monitor seismic activity using the Web, and plot real-time activity. They examine movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. They create an earthquake preparedness project.
Teach Engineering
An Inflated Impression of Mars
Help your class understand the magnitude of the distance between Earth and Mars with an activity that asks small groups to use balloons to create scale models of the Earth, Moon, and Mars. Class members figure out the distances...
Curated OER
Dimensions of the Solar System
A set of instructions that help learners draw concentric orbital arcs to scale of each planet. There is a table to complete with data and questions to check understanding of realistic orbits and relative sizes.
Curated OER
Vocabulary for Dimensions of the Earth
In this Earth dimensions activity, students define 24 terms associated with contour maps, latitude, longitude, and time zones.
Curated OER
Pump It Up
Learners use water in a flask to simulate how oil is pumped or forced out of the Earth by pressure from natural gas or human machinery. In this oil lesson plan, students complete a lab packet and work in groups.
Centers for Ocean Sciences
Ocean and Great Lakes Literacy: Principle 1
Is your current lesson plan for salt and freshwater literacy leaving you high and dry? If so, dive into part one of a seven-part series that explores the physical features of Earth's salt and freshwater sources. Junior hydrologists...
Star Date
Shadow Play
Three activities make up a solar system lesson that features the sun, its light, and the shadows it produces. Scholars step outside to discover the changes shadows make at different times of day, take part in a demonstration of...
Polar Bears International
Taking Action!
Motivate young scientists to stand up and take action with this environmental science lesson. To begin, the class works in small groups brainstorming actions that support the conservation of the earth before creating and implementing an...
Curated OER
Solar System Fun Facts
Students read facts about the Solar System. In this solar system lesson plan, students read facts on the dimensions, planets, and workings of the solar system. There is a big emphasis on Saturn.
Curated OER
Hang Time
Students use the equation to calculate the vertical distance an object fall during 1 second in 1/10 second increments. (The acceleration due to gravity on the Earth=a= 9.8 m/s2) Using a graphing calculator, students plot the path of a...
Curated OER
Earth and Space Science: Let it Flow
Students engage in a activity in which volcanoes be explored and examined. After watching a video, students create volcanoes out of clay.
Curated OER
Make Your Own Trashasaurus Rex Sculpture
Students explore environmental awareness through reusing materials. In this environmental awareness lesson, students use trash to create a "trashasaurus," a large dinosaur sculpture made from waste. Detailed structure and papier-mâché...
Science Matters
Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest
Japan is one of only a handful of countries that constructs buildings that are almost earthquake proof. The 13th lesson in the 20-part series challenges scholars to build structures to test against earthquakes. With limited materials and...
Curated OER
Dredging the Mississippi
Students determine the amount of earth that needs to be removed from the Mississippi and the amount of time it takes the Army Corps of Engineers to complete a dredging project. Given specific dimensions of a channel, calculations are...
Curated OER
Soil Layers
Ninth graders identify the different layers of soil. In this earth science lesson, 9th graders explain how limestone layers are formed. They identify the different parts of the coral colony.
Curated OER
Solar Surface Details
In this solar surface activity, students use a photograph taken by the Swedish Vacuum Telescope to answer 6 questions about the solar features in the photograph. Students determine the scale of the image, they determine the smallest...
Consortium for Ocean Leadership
Measure for Measure
How does your class measure up? Young scientists create a scale drawing of the JOIDES Resolution in a collaborative activity. The lesson incorporates mathematical principles with deep-sea exploration to focus on enhancing measurement...
Curated OER
Space Science: Constellations and the Sun
Students review the zodiac signs and illustrate their movement using constellations on the wall and themselves to represent earth. Individually or in groups, they stand in the center of the room while a shadeless lamp is placed between...
Curated OER
Dendrology Scavenger Hunt
Students examine leaves that are assigned to them. In this earth science activity students work in groups and find examples of leaves that the instructor asks for.
Curated OER
Create a Planet
Students craft planets from clay. In this geography skills lesson plan, students create model planets that mimic the geographic features found on Earth as well as the other planets. Students conduct research about characteristics of the...
Curated OER
Where in the World?
Learners explore how GPS works, the mathematics behind the technology, and how GPS is used. They find positions in one and two dimensions, and participate in a WebQuest that explores how math is used to find a location on Earth using GPS.
Curated OER
13 Ways to Tell Time Backwards
Students explore different ways geological time can be measured: comparing the time dimensions for each method, the mechanisms of each method, and the materials used.
Curated OER
Pumped Up Gas Prices
Young scholars spend one month keeping track of the mileage and gasoline amounts they or their family has used. Information is entered into a spreadsheet to help calculate the average gas prices over time.