California Academy of Science
Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates
Here is a comprehensive package in which middle schoolers learn about types of seismic waves, triangulation, and tectonic plate boundaries. Complete vocabulary, colorful maps, and a worksheet are included via links on the webpage. You...
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Building for the Big One
Students build and test structures that can best withstand earthquakes. They create their structures from playdough, cornstarch, grape-nuts and popsicle sticks and place their structures on a "shake table."
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The Science Behind Tsunamis
Natural disasters can be teachable moments that create more scientifically literate citizens.
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My Science Box: Seafloor Spreading
Students examine the movement of plate tectonics. In this instructional activity on the spreading of the seafloor, students use maps and models to observe how the sea floor spreads.
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The Volcano Factory
Students examine the process of tectonic plates and why the Mariana Arc is active with volcanoes. They create a model of the Mariana Arc out of clay.
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Volcano! Is That a Volcano on Your Plate?
Learners investigate where volcanos come from. In this volcano lesson, students watch videos do Internet research and participate in experiments to discover the cause of volcanos.
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Where to Live?
Students examine types of spatial data found in a GIS. In this geography lesson students use a GIS to facilitate analysis and decision making.
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Changes Inside Planets
Learners investigate the concept of planetary differentiation. They complete an experiment to simulate it using gelatin and food. The lesson includes vocabulary to increase reading comprehension skills as part of the inquiry. The lesson...