Discovering Plate Boundaries is based on 5 world maps containing earthquake, volcano, topography, satellite gravity, and seafloor age data. The novel aspect of the exercise is the "jigsaw" manner in which student groups access the maps and use them to discover, classify, and describe plate boundary types. The exercise is based only on observation and description, which makes it useful at a wide variety ... Full description.

In this lesson, students will investigate the South Atlantic Bight to discover what it is and how was it formed. As they investigate the Bight, students will sequence and model the events leading to the formation of the southeastern coast of the United States, examine what forces have changed the structure of this area over geologic time, predict what changes are yet to occur and how these changes ... Full description.

This lesson is designed to help students use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data; develop descriptions, explanations, predictions and models using evidence; develop an understanding of the Earth as a system by understanding that global patterns of atmospheric movement influence climate, including local weather; and understand that internal and external processes ... Full description.

This activity has students work in small groups, using Moon observation data to identify a pattern in the way the Moon appears to change shape. They use their Earth-Moon-Sun (EMS) model to account for the cycle of Moon phases and answer extension questions related to this phenomenon. Students will take a quiz on Moon phase identification, complete an EMS model summary sheet, and complete a self-assessment ... Full description.

This site provides all information, instructions, downloadable materials, and links to online materials for an exercise developed for use in a Geology of the National Parks course. Using the provided maps, groups of 3 to 6 students are asked to identify between 8 and 12 geologic provinces based on topography, the age of rocks, and the rock types. As a result of this exercise, students will become ... Full description.

This activity will help students to have a better understanding of the basic principles used to determine the age of rocks and fossils. It consists of several parts: to have students determine relative age of a geologically complex area, to familiarize students with the concept of half-life in radioactive decay, to have students see that individual runs of statistical processes are less predictable ... Full description.

This lesson will inform students about the high level of confidence we have in the geological ages of an old Earth. At the same time, it should reveal an example of pseudoscience, which should be part of any effort to improve science literacy and critical thinking. Students are taken through a combination of background information and interactive experiences, and checked frequently by questions to ... Full description.

This explanation of the hydrologic cycle discusses evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, runoff, percolation, groundwater, and the water table. There is a diagram and a description of each as well as a discussion of the dynamics of the cycle, which powered by the Sun. In addition there are links that lead to all parts of the Properties of Water menu. Full description.

This lesson has students observe and quantify their household and vehicle energy consumption; explain the relationship between energy consumption, energy production, and its influences on the greenhouse effect and global climate change; and suggest adaptation and mitigation strategies as to how he or she could reduce household and vehicle energy consumption in order to minimize carbon dioxide emissions. ... Full description.

This lesson is designed to give students an enhanced understanding of the water cycle and rain as a resource, increase their measurement and data collection skills, and develop graphing and data interpretation skills. It expects that students will demonstrate the ability to measure and record rates of rainfall, evaporation, and infiltration and to graph and interpret data. The lesson provides detailed ... Full description.