Curated OER
Roots of the Mariana Arc
Plumb the depths of the Submarine Ring of Fire and explore seismic waves with this instructional activity. Junior geologists simulate s-waves and p-waves, calculate their speeds, and then apply the data to discover the material that...
Curated OER
A Hydrothermal Adventure
Students analyze hydrothermal vents. In this hydrothermal vents lesson plan, students discover the effects of hydrothermal vents on tectonic plates. Students make model hydrothermal vents to understand how they form and operate.
Curated OER
The Earth's Crust
Young scholars use clay to form models of the different landforms and then complete a data table using a map, atlas, or the Internet to locate famous landforms in the United States. Students complete various activities, writing down...
American Museum of Natural History
Plates on the Move
Tectonic plates are constantly on the move. Explore the movement using an online resource that provides a basic introduction the tectonic plates before offering a game to learn about the individual plates. Learners discover how the...
Bozeman Science
ESS3B - Natural Hazards
Planning and preparing for natural disasters is possible and necessary. A video lesson begins with a description of natural hazards in relation to natural disasters. Using specific examples, the instructor shares strategies for preparing...
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Plate Tectonics
Young scholars observe a presentation on plate tectonics, layers of the earth, and plate boundaries. They then use the Internet to research major plates and label them on a world map.
Kenan Fellows
Making Connections with Water Quality
What's in your water? And, why is water quality so important? Enhance your class's level of water appreciation through a lesson that demonstrates the necessity of water quality. Environmental enthusiasts explore the EPA's Clean Water...
Curated OER
Mapping Plate Boundaries
Students discover plate boundaries based on the uneven geographic occurrence of geologic hazards. After discussing geologic hazards, students plot different sets of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on maps.
Curated OER
It's a Gas! Or is it?
Young scholars discover the principles of solubility and phase state and their influence on chemical phenomena observed around deep-sea volcanoes. They describe the effect of temperature and pressure on solubility of gasses and solid...
Cornell University
Constructing and Visualizing Topographic Profiles
Militaries throughout history have used topography information to plan strategies, yet many pupils today don't understand it. Scholars use Legos and a contour gauge to understand how to construct and visualize topographic profiles. This...
Curated OER
Personal Written Response Activity
Students complete a final written project. In this personal response instructional activity, students respond in a creative way to one of the issues presented in the unit. Students may choose to create a series of postcards from a...
Curated OER
Erosion in Different Soils [Erosion Races]
Fourth graders review how erosion can happen by wind, water, and gravity which they studied in previous instructional activity. They attempt to discover if all soils erode at the same rate. In small groups, 4th graders experiment with...
Curated OER
The Big Balancing Act
Students describe chemical changes occurring in hydrothermal circulation systems. They make inferences about the significance of these systems to ocean chemical balance compared to terrestrial runoff.
Curated OER
Learning from history: can it save lives?
Students research and document lessons learned from this disaster, then compile and synthesize information. They write effectively for public education purposes and use visual communications tools
Curated OER
Faulty Movement
Students discover the faults throughout the Earth. They describe the different types of faults and how they are related to earthquakes. They build models of the faults.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Are You Prepared?
Pupils research specific natural disasters using the Internet and a collection of books. The natural disasters include; floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, winter stroms, wildfires, thunderstorms, volcanoes, and earthquakes. They...
Curated OER
Buddy, Are You Ready?-Preparing for School Emergencies
Students explore natural disasters by reading stories about volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. They explore safe behaviors in order to understand what to expect in a catastrophe. Students practice safe evacuation procedures...
Curated OER
Cultures of the Ring of Fire
Students explore the Ring of Fire. In this Ring of Fire lesson, students research information about the Ring of Fire and plate tectonics. Students write 2-page research papers regarding their findings.
Curated OER
2005 Submarine Ring of Fire Expedition: What's for Dinner?
Students compare and contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis as sources of primary production for biological communities, and describe sources of primary production observed in biological communities associated with volcanoes of the...
Curated OER
Constructive and Destructive forces
Students explore constructive and destructive forces. In this constructive and destructive forces lesson, students complete a WebQuest. Students explore the different types of forces and their effect on the surrounding geography. When...
Curated OER
Pass the Plate
Learners define constructive forces. They describe how landforms are created as a result of constructive forces. Students recognize active volcano areas in the United States. They demonstrate an understanding of Panagea.
Curated OER
Water 1: Water and Ice
Students explore the states of water. In this science lesson plan, students use observation, measurement, and communication skills to describe water as it changes from a solid to a liquid.
Curated OER
Plotting Plates
Students investigate plate tectonics and their correlation with natural phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes. They use the internet to see real-time data about earthquakes and volcanoes. Students plot latitude and longitude points on...
Curated OER
The Physical Geography of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
Students access information from the United States Geological Survey's Web site This Dynamic Earth to research the Ring of Fire. They answer four questions and then apply what they have learned to create a bulletin board display.