Space Awareness
Valleys Deep and Mountains High
Sometimes the best view is from the farthest distance. Satellite imaging makes it possible to create altitude maps from far above the earth. A three-part activity has your young scientists play the role of the satellite and then use...
Curated OER
First Land Plants Found on Earth
In this first land plants worksheet, students read about the major events that allowed plants to evolve on Earth. Students read about the primary and secondary atmospheres, the formation of the ozone layer to protect from UV light and...
Curated OER
Early Earth History
In this earth history activity, students answer 12 questions about geological time, the eras of Earth, the changes taking place in early Earth and the life present during the eras. They also answer 2 questions about the Paleozoic Era.
Curated OER
Science Review for Grade 5 (5.2)
In this science review for grade 5 (5.2) worksheet, 5th graders answer 25 earth science questions in a standardized test format, including reading maps and diagrams.
Rice University
Characteristics of Inner Planets
Aspiring astronomers assess the inner planets using this handout. They read about the characteristics of each, noting that all four of them have rocky surfaces. Rotation and revolution are introduced, including Venus' retrograde...
Urbana School District
Electric Fields
What kind of pears do electricians eat? Amperes! Presentation begins with electric field vectors for various charge configurations and field strengths for both point charges and uniform fields. It continues with various surfaces,...
Curated OER
The Atmosphere
Here is a suitable set of slides to use when teaching about the layers of the atmosphere, climate, global winds, and types of clouds. These slides will support a few different lectures. You will probably want to replace the diagrams with...
Curated OER
Coal Derivatives by Destructive Distillation
Chemists use the destructive distillation technique to produce three derivatives from a sample of bituminous coal. You will find background information, a materials list, procedures, and sample follow-up questions that you can use in...
Curated OER
The Work of Waves and Wind
This is not revolutionary, but it is informative. Earth science viewers in grades 7-12 get carried away with wave and wind erosion. They view diagrams of how waves impact ocean shorelines. They see examples of the different types of sand...
Curated OER
Let Me Tell You About...
Pupils comprehend the differences between flat maps and relief or topographical maps. They recognize how forces such as earthquakes, volcanoes, water, and wind-as well as human actions--have altered the Earth's surface. Students work in...
Curated OER
Earth Movers
Students read an online article about an earthquake and follow up with a series of discussion questions about earthquakes.  They answer questions in their science journals about continental drift, plate tetonics, and their influence on...
Curated OER
Rocks and weathered rocks
Students connect rock and mineral formation with the changes rocks and minerals undergo at the earth's surface.  They observe changes produced by weathering and relating these observations to chemical processes such as oxidation,...
Curated OER
The Rifting of Pangaea and the Gettysburg Battlefield
Eleventh graders analyze and interpret an animated model of Earth’s rifting processes.  In this Earth Science instructional activity, 11th graders connect Earth’s rifting processes with the Earth’s surface in the Gettysburg...
Curated OER
Weathering Landforms
Fifth graders brainstorm a list of ways the Earth's surface can change. As a class, they are introduced to the concepts of erosion and weathering and discover how wind and water cause changes to the surface of the Earth.   To end the...
Curated OER
Sea to Sky
Students investigate the Earth's major landforms and how they occur, and how engineers apply this knowledge for the design of transportation systems, mining, and measuring natural hazards.  They listen to a teacher-led lecture, match...
Curated OER
Sandscapes to Landscapes
Students explore landscapes and create their own in a creative project.
University of Colorado
Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?
There are more than 600,000 asteroids in our solar system. Pupils analyze images of two asteroids in order to determine if they are the same age. They count craters for each asteroid and compare numbers. 
University of Colorado
Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?
Did you know scientists can tell the age of an asteroid by looking closely at its craters? This final lesson of a six-part series focuses on two asteroids, Gaspra and Ida, in order to demonstrate the concept of dating asteroids. Scholars...
Prairie Public Broadcasting
Egyptian Pyramids Virtual Field Trip!
A virtual field trip takes enthusiastic travelers to the pyramids of Giza. Using Google, scholars explore the grounds of the ancient pyramids found in Egypt then complete three worksheets: a photo analysis page, a reflection sheet, and a...
Curated OER
The Dirt We Depend On; How Soil Was Formed Reading Comprehension Worksheet
In this soil formation reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2 page non-fiction article. They answer 19 questions including fill in the blank, multiple choice, and true or false about weathering of the Earth as soil is renewed.
Curated OER
Tracking Current "Earth" Events
Eighth graders utilize Internet research skills, and practice their communication skills by presenting their research to the clas.  They actively consider the types of hazards for humans associated with Natural Disaters and ways that...
Curated OER
Fuel Mystery Dis-Solved
Students describe how temperature and surface area exposure affect the rate at which fuel is consumed.  They explain why engineers want to know about the properties of a fuel when designing rockets.  They create a bar graph of result data.
Curated OER
Understanding Cloud Formation
Students view a demonstration that simulates cloud formation. They read a poem about clouds, participate in a class demonstration using warm water and ice and write a paragraph summarizing their observations.
Curated OER
Mountains: A Drama Exploration
Learners dramatize the formation of mountains. In this earth formation dramatization lesson, students read Anne Issacs', Swamp Angel, and research the how the layers of the Earth move to form landforms. They work in groups to dramatize...