Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Mine of Mine

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore natural resources by conducting a geology experiment in class. In this mineral mining lesson, students discuss the types of geological material that can be found when mining and the uses for these resources such as coal....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Fueling Systems

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders brainstorm the differences between the fossil fuels that people use in their transportation now and what they could use to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. They use a variety of techniques from webquests to writing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Good Vibrations Remote Sensing data Collection: Thermal Emission Spectrometer

For Teachers 4th - 8th
The Mars Global Surveyor spent two years creating a mineral map of the planet Mars using thermal emission spectrometry. To help young astronomers understand this remote sensing instrument, have them simulate how data is collected and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Petrology in the Field and Laboratory

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students collect samples in the field, analyze them using various tools and instruments, then present their results and interpretations. They examine igneous and metamorphic rocks in detail and interpret petrologic data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology Quiz Worksheet

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this geology quiz worksheet, students answer 10 fill-in-the-blank questions about geology. They answer questions about types of rocks, hardness, and mineral attributes. They check their work with the answers at the bottom of the page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mineralogy, Astronomy, & Ancient Wisdom

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners complete a variety of activities surrounding minerals, crystals, and mineralogy. They locate common minerals on a world map, complete a lab in which they identify the chemical and physical properties of various minerals, etc.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extraction (What's in the cereal you eat?)

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students conduct an investigation with cereal that simulates the extraction of minerals from rock. They mix iron fortified cereal until the iron is extracted and shows on a magnetic stick that is painted white.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Rock is Your Rock, This Rock is My Rock

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students develop good observational skills. They examine how rocks are made up of one or more minerals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tommyknockers

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the folklore of Tommyknockers. They discuss why the Tommyknockers were important to miners. Students make a favorite snack of the Tommyknockers, Cornish pastries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pattern And Design in Nature

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe natural objects carefully and note intricate design and structure beyond surface form.
Interactive
Curated OER

Vain/Vein/Vane

For Students 5th - 8th
In this vain, vein, and vane activity, students choose the correct word to complete each sentence. Students choose either vain, vein, or vein to complete 18 sentences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery Box

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students design a mystery box to hold an object related to the timeline of life studies. In this timeline of life lesson, student play a game with fossils and other remnants of past times and guess the era it comes from.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is There Water on Mars?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students decide whether or not there is or has even been water on Mars. They analyze temperature and pressure data from the Pathfinder mission to Mars, and then they analyze images of Mars, interpreting the landforms they see and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stop Heat from Escaping

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the uses of insulation and describe how insulation helps to conserve energy. They work in groups and use plastic, wool, paper and aluminum to experiment with the heat-retaining properties of various materials.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Forest Objects

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars explore the forest. In this ecosystems lesson, students rotate through sensory activity centers, brainstorm, and read about temperate forests.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where is Oil Found?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars determine that crude oil is found in porous rocks (reservoirs) rather than in caves or caverns.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mixtures of Matter

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students experiment with mixtures of matter. In this matter lesson, students investigate which liquids form a solution when mixed together and which do not. Students also identify which solids can be separated from matter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Comparison of Pulpit Rock Stream and Welton Falls

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders analyze different water samples given to them by their teacher.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Skeletal System

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the functions of the skeletal system. They collaborate in small groups to determine the function of the skeletal system, the types of joints and movement, bone strength and growth, and bone injuries including...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Soil Separator

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars investigate botany by creating a soil separating device.  In this plant life lesson, students identify the needs of plants and how important the right soil is in the growing process.  Young scholars define...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rotten Truth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate compost. In this Science lesson, 4th graders take notes on the components of soil and its relation to plant growth. Students describe the steps in making compost.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Birdseed Mining Activity

For Teachers K - 12th
Students investigate how small amounts of minerals or metals are mined out of very large masses of rock using birdseed. They study the economics of valuable commodities. They look at environmentally conscious mining and how reclamation...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life's Big Questions: Where Did Life Come From?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the life forms that live in the hot springs of Yellowstone. They examine how microscopic creatures can survive in these extreme conditions. Students perform experiments to observe growth samples and demonstrate how a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Word Grid

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this soil worksheet, students find words that represent soil words in a word search. Students search for 9 words in this word search.