Students partipating in this lesson will investigate the Exxon Valdez oil spill, evaluate clean up procedures, and understand long term effects of an oil spill on an ecosystem. Because oil is less dense than water and floats, it can quickly coat anything in the water. By cutting off the exchange of gas, organisms that live in the water column and require oxygen quickly die. In this lesson, students ... 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.

This site offers an introduction to minerals, crystals and gems. Lesson plans involve creating a classroom exhibit and investigating rocks and minerals, watching crystals grow, and looking for minerals and mineral products (including a mineral scavenger hunt). There is also a section on Smithsonian resources, including teaching aids, books, and websites. Full description.

At this site the question and answer format is used to provide information about the Earth's magnetic field. Frequently asked questions are linked to detailed answers. Along with standard questions about the magnetic poles and how a compass works, there are sections about geomagnetic models, Space Weather Scales and magnetic field reversals. Links lead to a site to download the latest model as well ... Full description.