The PALEOMAP Project illustrates the plate tectonic development of the ocean basins and continents, as well as the changing distribution of land and sea during the past 1100 million years. The reconstruction of paleoclimates is also discussed. Maps are viewed as animations where the time component can be user-manipulated. Included are a variety of background materials which supplement the animations. ... Full description.

NeMO studies the dynamic interactions between submarine volcanic activity and seafloor hotsprings at an observatory called Axial Seamount. The research activities at NeMO provide an extraordinary educational opportunity, both from the daily reports from expeditions at sea and from creative learning materials based on NeMO results. The site features curriculum materials designed for high school and ... Full description.

This site facilitates a classroom activity in which students create a hypothesis on cloud formation and then conduct online research to either validate or refute their initial hypothesis. The activity begins with a brief laboratory experiment that demonstrates cloud formation and asks students to generate a hypothesis on how clouds form. The activity then switches to students conducting Internet research. ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on the history of the Earth from 4.6 billion years ago to the present. Students look at different time periods and major events in the Earth's history, putting it all together in a classroom display. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, suggested readings, ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on the Mesozoic Era, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Through research and activities students learn about the plants and animals that inhabited Earth at that time, and the changes in plant life that occurred due to the development of animal life. It includes objectives, materials, procedures, discussion ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. Students research three types of symbiotic relationships between organisms in nature: mutualism, commensalisms, and parasitism. They report their research findings and hypothesize about how symbiotic relationships might have evolved. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ... Full description.

This interactive site demonstrates how fossil evidence and the principle of superposition are used to determine the age of rock layers and fossils. It contains several examples of index fossils and how they are used to date events. Geologic changes including continental drift are also related to fossil evidence. Full description.

This site presents theories about why the dinosaurs became extinct. The first page provides background information covering not only the "great dying" at the K-T boundary but also the mass extinction at the end of the Paleozoic Era. The author covers six factors that complicate the study of mass extinction including time resolution, the Signor-Lipps Effect, and falsifiability. A link then takes the ... Full description.

This activity takes students to the Bozeman, Montana area, where many dinosaurs once lived. They will gain an understanding of paleontological field work by analyzing evidence, developing hypotheses about dinosaur behavior, and supporting their hypotheses with evidence. This lesson contains materials needed, procedure, and extension ideas. Full description.

This student guide provides an introduction to the types and value of tropical forests, deforestation, the practice of forestry, forestry research, and tropical forestry. The guide shows how modern practices can help stem the tide of forest destruction while continuing to provide valuable products for people. Examples of sustainable forestry are cited, which could be used as models for protecting ... Full description.