This activity simulates some methods that are used to sort recoverable materials to be recycled. Students produce a mixture of several materials, then apply various techniques to separate the mixture into its component materials. Full description.

In this activity, students measure the specific gravity of rocks and equate it to density. There are instructions for modifying the balance to be able to weigh the rocks in water. There are also several suggestions about how to use the data and the kinds of graphs that can be made. The site has a list of materials, detailed instructions, and examples of charts and graphs. Full description.

This essay with a field journal focus reports on a family vacation to the Dead Sea, where the saltiness of the water made it difficult to keep their feet underwater. The reasons for the salinity level of this sea, along with what scientists do and do not know about why the ocean is so salty is also included in the essay. There is also an overview of the importance of salt to humans and the chemistry ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on avalanches and how they occur. Students conduct an experiment, then discuss how lubricants and friction play a role in causing avalanches. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, suggested readings, and vocabulary. There are videos available to order ... Full description.

In this activity, students build on their growing knowledge of ice and glacier growth. The students examine images of core samples and make observations about the decreasing size of gas bubbles with increasing depth in the core. The students model permeability. From this experiment, they will develop an understanding of the movement of air through snow and ice and why this information is critical ... Full description.

This activity has students observe how ozone can damage rubber bands and through a comparison, they will be able to determine the relative ozone levels for different locations. After completing this activity students will understand that tropospheric ozone is often called bad ozone because it breaks down certain materials, be able to explain that concentrations of ozone are not uniform, and demonstrate ... Full description.

This activity involves separating mixtures of minerals on the basis of their physical properties. Students are shown a piece of granite and see that it is clearly a mixture. Students will try to devise ways of separating some simple mixtures and then see how some of the same methods are used to separate real minerals from mixtures. Students will discover that many useful materials are found as part ... Full description.

This description of rocks and minerals includes representatives of all three major groups: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Users can access introductory information about the three major rock types and the minerals that form them. A simple rock classification chart is included, with embedded links to a glossary and more detailed material for advanced learners. Full description.

Using telescopes tuned into wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum other than visible light, astronomers are able to see the universe in greater detail. The Spitzer Space Telescope studies stars and planetary systems in infrared wavelengths. This interactive feature describes how infrared light can help us better understand the the formation of stars and planets, oddities such as brown dwarfs ... Full description.

This activity will allow students to investigate the resistance to weathering of headstones in a cemetery. This field study offers scope for developing many of the investigative skills involved in planning, obtaining and presenting evidence, considering evidence and in evaluating it. Students will have to consider key factors that need to be taken into account when collecting evidence, and how evidence ... Full description.