Science Matters
A Model of Plate Faults
The San Andreas fault is one of the longest fault zones in the world. In a series of 20 lessons, the fourth lesson has pupils use a paper model to recreate various types of plate faults. Each is held in position then drawn...
Curated OER
Weather Forecasting: From Then to Now
Eighth graders review the history of weather forecasting. In this earth science lesson plan, 8th graders identify the different tools used in forecasting weather. They explain why it's important to know the weather.
Curated OER
Earth Science: In Depth Look at Earthquakes
Students engage in an interactive Internet lesson covering the reasons and results of earthquakes. After reading eyewitness accounts and viewing animations, they use seismograms to measure and locate the epicenters. In an ongoing study,...
Curated OER
Is Your Spot Hot?
Eighth graders explore global warming. In this Earth Science lesson plan, 8th graders will look for Harbingers and fingerprints for different areas. The students will identify an area at risk and they will then create a...
Curated OER
Ocean Observations
Students examine a coastal ocean. In this physical science/earth science activity, students generate a list of questions about how researchers study the ocean. In addition, students investigate, through research on the computer, to...
Curated OER
Introducing The Gulf Stream
Sixth graders research the average temperatures of different places on Earth. In this earth science lesson plan, 6th graders explain how the sun's heat cause ocean movement. They discuss how temperature change affects the weather we...
Curated OER
Currently Warm
Seventh graders investigate how ocean currents affect climate. In this earth science lesson plan, 7th graders draw and label the current in their assigned ocean. They discuss how currents from the poles differ from the equator.
Curated OER
Floods
Young scholars explore Earth science by answering study questions on-line. In this natural disasters lesson, students research Australia flood statistics over the past 40 years and identify patterns. Young scholars utilize the web to...
Curated OER
Hurricane Influence: Landfall Probabilities and Wind Speed
In this earth science worksheet, students study a hurricane map and answer 7 multiple choice question about it. They calculate the wind speed on different areas of the map.
Curated OER
Classify Rocks
Students classify different types of rocks. In this earth science lesson plan, students test different rock samples and construct a chart to record observations. They create a concept map that answers essential questions.
Curated OER
Hawaiian Hot Spots
Students describe how plate tectonics contribute to the development of volcanoes. In this earth science instructional activity, students examine the map of Hawaii and explore the physical and biological environment there. They write a...
Curated OER
Ozone: The Earth's Security Blanket
Students work in groups to define and research the terms: ozone, troposphere and stratosphere. Students watch videos, conduct Internet research, participate in discussion groups and complete worksheets.
Carnegie Mellon University
Marcellus Shale: Who Pays?
After viewing short clips of unfortunate events, your class will consider two sides of a homeowner's court case, and then learn about the Marcellus shale deposit beneath the state of Pennsylvania and the hydraulic fracturing process. In...
NOAA
Sediments
Calcareous ooze ... what an interesting name! The 15th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on sediments found on the ocean floor. After viewing the slideshow lecture,...
Curated OER
Will There Be a White Christmas This Year?
Young scholars examine historical weather data, and create map and color key that illustrates the likelihood of a white Christmas in different locations across the United States.
Ocean Explorer
The Volcano Factory
The tectonic processes that have resulted in the formation of the Marianas Arc, and the Marianas Trench are explored. Groups of pupils access websites that give them a wealth of information about these formations. Each group must prepare...
Curated OER
Changing Planet: Melting Glaciers
Resource links to a video, satellite images, data, and photographs of glaciers provide emerging earth scientists the opportunity to examine how the ice has been retreating over the years. A data table is included for pupils to record...
Curated OER
A Comparison Study of Water Vapor Data to Precipitation over North America
Learners use NASA satellite data to compare water vapor over the United States. For this data analysis lesson students use an Excel spreadsheet to map their data.
Journey Through the Universe
A Scale Model Solar System
Between the time scientists discovered Pluto and reclassified it as a dwarf planet, it did not even make one full revolution around the sun. In two activities, scholars investigate scale models and their properties. Pupils find that it...
Midnight Martian
Mars Globe HD
Explore the surface of Mars without leaving the comforts of your home or classroom! Learn about volcanoes, missions to the red planet, view the topography, and more.
Curated OER
Our Forests Need Fires?
Students consider how forest fires are both damaging and beneficial to forests. In this earth science instructional activity, students are read the book Fire! In Yellowstone by Robert Ekey and watch "Fire Ecology" and "Two Sides of...
Curated OER
Hands on Biome-Building
Students explore Earth science by participating in an environment activity. In this biome lesson, students discuss the importance of a healthy ecology in order to sustain life, both animal and plant. Students utilize a cardboard or wood...
Curated OER
The Earth is an Orange
Students examine and identify the various types of maps. Using two types of maps, they compare the data that can be gathered from each one. They also identify and locate the continents and the oceans. They review the purposes of each...
Curated OER
The Tilting Earth
Fourth graders use a styrofoam ball on a stick to represent earth and a light bulb in the center of the room to represent the sun. They walk around the light, holding their sticks at an angle to show the tilt of the earth's axis. They...