Curated OER
Investigating the Climate System - Clouds
Here is a fabulous lesson plan 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,...
Curated OER
How Many Days Are in a Year?
Students create a calendar for an imaginary planet. For this earth science lesson, students analyze the errors on the different calendars used on Earth. They present their work in class.
Curated OER
Fossils: The Eras of the Earth's History
Students research the four geologic eras of Earth's history. In this extension on a fossils lesson, students research the different eras of Earth's history. Students use AppleWorks to create a bar graph containing information of the four...
Curated OER
Reflecting on Reflectivity
Students plan and construct a "mini-lab" to measure the reflectivity of different earth surfaces. They measure reflectivity of materials, including ice, soil, rocks, etc., and then extrapolate from what they have learned to consider the...
Curated OER
Why Opposites Attract: Observing Magnetic Fields
Students brainstorm background knowledge and any questions they may have about magnetic fields. They investigate the role that William Gilbert had in laying the groundwork for modern experimental science. Students observe magnetic fields...
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Floods: Rising Waters and You
High schoolers examine the relationship between human-made structures, flood waters and the increasing population through video clips, websites and a lab experiment.
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A Line Graph of the Ocean Floor
Learners develop a spreadsheet and import the information into a line graph. In this spreadsheet and line graph instructional activity, students develop a spreadsheet of ocean depths. They import the information into a word processed...
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Long Island Sound
Learners use the Internet to research the history of Long Island Sound. In groups, they identify the sources of point and nonpoint pollution and how humans are impacting the area. After watching a video, they discuss the role of...
Curated OER
Forces of Nature: The Challenges of River Travel
Students examine how river travel affected the Lewis and Clark expedition. They define gravity, slope, and velocity, conduct a river formations experiment, complete an activity sheet, and watch a video about Lewis and Clark.
Curated OER
Michigan Food: From Farm to You
Young scholars recognize Michigan on a map and understand how its climate is affected by the Great Lakes. In this Michigan food lesson, students play a trivia game to identify the produce of Michigan. Young scholars relate the climate in...
Curated OER
Selecting a Harbor: Oceanography and the Impact of Oil Spills
Students work together to determine a new site for a harbor. Using the Internet, they research the impact of an oil spill on the oceans and wildlife. They present their findings to the class and a solution to the problem.
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National Park Project
Pupils develop a descriptive and informative brochure for a National Park. They focus on the history and geology of the park, environmental concerns, and visitor actions that could eliminate the environmental concerns.
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Study of Fossils
Fifth graders dig for fossils. In this fossil lesson, 5th graders read about the oldest found fossils and discuss the process of fossilization. They dig for their own fossils in a fossil box made of several dirt layers.
Curated OER
Take a Hike
For this geography skills worksheet, students respond to 9 questions that require them to read topographic maps and interpret them. The topographic maps are not included.
Curated OER
The Age of Reason and Enlightenment
A presentation that truly covers the age of reason and enlightenment. Nearly every facet, event, and key player in 18th Century Age of Enlightenment is covered. The information is clear, easy to follow, and lends itself well to note...
Curated OER
Watch Out for Landslides
Students conduct an experiment. In this landslides lesson, students learn about landslides and discuss how they could minimize the risk of landslides. Students complete an experiment to see if changing the slope of the land...
Curated OER
World Geography: Postcard from the Rim
Students are able to identify the areas of the world that are affected by arsenic contamination of the water supply. They are able to describe the ways in which various societies deal with the problem of arsenic contamination. ...
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Bryant Creek Watershed Project - Making a Karst Dictionary
Students explore the definitions relevant to Karst topography. They develop a Bryant Watershed Dictionary of the special words and terms that are used to talk about the topography and hydrology of the area they live in.
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Triton Toys
Students investigate the hydrological cycle. The instructional activity is made to be performed within the computer lab. The instructional activity can also be done as a center for students to work on the project as time allows.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Lab 1: Think Globally: Act Locally
A lab experiment in a series of experiments that explores Earth Science Systems. This lab introduces students to the parts of the Earth system: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and pedosphere. As the students learn about the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Growing a Soil Menagerie
Everything on our planet is linked by a giant recycling system called the biogeochemical cycle. How our planet recycles and reuses everything we need to support life is explained by making a miniature biosphere in this lab. You will also...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center: Forces of Change:meet Your Atmosphere
This superb site has detailed information about the composition of the atmosphere, how it is always changing, how it protects life on earth, and the destructive impact human activity has on it. There is an atmosphere design lab, as well...