This Starting Point webpage describes a ConcepTest question that asks students to examine a map and answer the question, how many plates are present? Students are to answer the questions using a diagram representing continental lithosphere, oceanic ridges and trenches and oceanic lithosphere. The website includes the question typical student responses before and after discussion and additional references ... Full description.

This Starting Point webpage describes a ConcepTest question that asks students to address the question, which location (rock unit) would have the potential for the best groundwater production? They are to address a given diagram to answer the question. The website contains additional notes and references as well as statistics for typical student answers before and after discussion. Full description.

This activity leads students through the process of creating a geologic map and cross-section in a small area of horizontal sedimentary rocks that are exposed in a few locations. On this Starting Point page, users can access information about the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment ideas, references and topics covered. Full description.

This game is actually an on-campus field lab that has students using directions and a GPS receiver to make their way from one stop to the next. At each stop, they identify a building stone (or tree for an environmental studies or plant biology class). If possible, have the students work in small groups, taking turns using the GPS receiver and with each group having its own direction sheet. At the ... Full description.

This website contains an introduction to the principles of optical mineralogy. Topics include the petrographic microscope, light, thin sections, and basic theoretical concepts. The website features text illustrated with ample photographs, drawings, diagrams and movies. The site also contains self-tests using photomicrographs. This resource is a useful tutorial for an introduction or a review of optical ... Full description.

Intended for use in introductory astronomy courses, this Java-based tutorial demonstrates lunar phases clearly and logically. It includes sections on time of day, time of month, and apparent direction of the moon. The Java demonstrations are meant to complement the explanations of concepts. A typical demonstration involves a stick figure human on the earth's surface, which can be interactively moved ... Full description.

This project is designed to teach students about environmental quality and problems being faced in their own communities. It requires a nearby stream to do testing, so that students can visit the stream to measure discharge, organisms, etc. Students pool their data and develop a multi-media proposal for an intervention to improve the stream's water quality. This site provides links to relevant resources, ... Full description.

This website is part of National Geographics Xpeditions Hall and includes lesson plans and activities related to the topic of the seasons. Using images and text, this site teaches students about why the seasons occur here on Earth, how they affect different animals, and how ancient civilizations celebrated and explained the phenomenon of seasons. A short quiz tests people on their knowledge of the ... Full description.

In this exercise from SERC's Starting Point, students measure a topographic and geologic cross-section across a floodplain by simple surveying and auguring techniques. This example demonstrates how basic GIS elements can enhance learning by adding spatial context and introducing mapping techniques. GIS elements encourage students to consider the spatial context of field observations, introduce GPS ... Full description.

In this intermediate Excel activity, students import US Historical Climate Network mean temperature data into Excel from a station of their choice. They are then guided through the activity on how to use Excel for statistical calculations, graphing, and linear trend estimates. The activity assumes some familiarity with Excel. On this Starting Point page, users can access information about the exercise's ... Full description.