Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbial Influence on Earth's Systems

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify the different biogeochemical cycles on Earth. In this biology lesson, students observe microbes under a microscope. They compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis.
Worksheet
Curated OER

How Much Ocean?

For Students 8th - 10th
In this ocean worksheet, students are given a map of the world and they predict the amount of water that covers the Earth's surface. They count the total number of squares on the given map that represent the water and they land and they...
Worksheet
Curated OER

What is the Mantle Like?

For Students 5th - 6th
In these earth science worksheets student complete this project to model activity in the mantle, one Earth's four layers. The project includes liquid and powder materials in addition to several measuring components. Students must then...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Google Earth Exercise: The Seven Wonders of the World

For Students 6th - 10th
In this Google Earth worksheet, students search the site and answer short answer questions about The Seven Wonders of the World. Students answer 28 questions.
Activity
DiscoverE

Core Sampling

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Simulate soil sample assemblages. Individuals create soil layers in a cup. They then use straws to collect core samples from these layers. What information can they glean from the core samples, I wonder?
Worksheet
Curated OER

Observation and Inference

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Assess your young scientists' understanding of the difference between observation and inference with this 20-question multiple choice quiz. It reviews a variety of physics and astronomy concepts, such as solar eclipses and sunspots, the...
Lesson Plan
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Montana State University

Climb into Action!

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Climate change affects even the largest and intimidating of landforms—even Mount Everest! A resource helps teach learners the connection between global climate change and its effects on Earth. Activities include videos, class discussion,...
Activity
NOAA

Wooly Magma

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Model the earth's core with a neat activity that uses science as an inquiry and step-by-step procedures. The activity acquires a lot of assistance from the teacher or volunteer helpers. 
Activity
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Teach Engineering

What's Wrong with the Coordinates at the North Pole?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Here is an activity that merges technology with life skills as individuals use Google Earth to explore the differences between coordinate systems and map projections. The self-guided worksheet is the fourth segment in a nine-part unit....
Interactive
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NOAA

Subduction Zones

For Students 6th - 12th
Sink into an interactive learning experience about subduction zones! Junior oceanographers examine the earth-shaking and earth-making effects of subduction in the fourth installment in a 13-part series. Hands-on activities include...
Organizer
Curated OER

What Makes Up Earth's Surface?

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Earth's surface worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer by writing 1 main idea and 7 supporting details about what makes up the Earth's surface.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Just Peachy!

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars are introduced to the various layers of the Earth. Using fruit, they discover each layer and discover the use of similies in describing it. They watch a video to better describe each layer of the Earth and its purpose.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Composition and Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils investigate the composition of the interior of the Earth through a teacher lead lesson plan. They study the theory of plate tectonics before creating a model of the earth's interior. They use a hard boiled egg to synthesize a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Ever Changing Earth

For Teachers 1st
First graders discover plate tectonics. They observe the forces of erosion. They observe the forces of weathering. They state three ways the earth changes. They record observations and make conclusions about their observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Layers

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students interpret a rock core sample from a clay model. In small groups, they layer modeling clay in a plastic container using coarse-grained spices sprinkled in to represent fossils. They switch containers with another group and remove...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy: Earth/Moon

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate the Earth and the Moon. They select activities from a menu of options including viewing videos, drawing magnetic fields and plate tectonics, creating vocabulary flashcards, observing the phases of the moon over a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Why Earthquakes Occur

For Students 6th - 9th
In this earthquake instructional activity, students learn about why earthquakes occur. After reading the information, they answer the 12 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.
Handout
Curated OER

First Land Plants Found on Earth

For Students 8th - 10th
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Science Puzzlers, Twisters, and Teasers: The History of Life on Earth

For Students 6th - 8th
A somewhat amusing assignment, this worksheet lists statements that an ancient organism may have made and asks learners to determine what geologic era that each may have lived in. It uses witty word puzzles and fill-in-the-blank-style...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environmental Studies: The Environment Rocks!

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Rock exploration, so exciting! After reading the book Everybody Needs a Rock, the class makes sandwiches to better understand that the Earth is made in layers. They then use a description of the 3 types of rock to conduct an observation...
Lesson Plan
Captain Planet Foundation

Sorting Out Soils

For Teachers K
Sift through soil and learn about why it's important for organic processes. After discussing what makes up soil, such as the living organisms and what types of soil have more nutrients, kids sample layers of mulch and deeper soil to...
Activity
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Teach Engineering

Where Are the Plastics Near Me? (Field Trip)

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
With a piece of plastic here and a piece of plastic there, here a piece, there a piece, everywhere a piece. Teams go on a field trip in order to document the locations and kinds of plastic trash in an area near them. The eighth...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layers of the Rainforest

For Teachers 2nd
What a great way to discuss the rainforest! Learners discuss the importance of adaptation in the environment and how it is linked to survival. They use critical thinking and inference skills to place animals and insects in the different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth's Surface

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students identify the characteristics of places. In this communities lesson, students discuss what they observe when they travel and construct a list of places in their neighborhood. Students use a Landscape Picture Map to circle...