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.

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.

In this lesson, students will learn that geological time can be measured in several different ways, providing independent lines of evidence for measuring deep time and sequencing geological and biological events of the past. Students explore different methods of measuring geological time, comparing the time dimensions, mechanisms, and materials used for each. Full description.

This activity has students compare the magnitude of geologic time with spans of time in a person's lifetime, which is often difficult for many students. They use a long paper strip and a reasonable scale to represent visually all of geologic time, including significant events in the development of life on earth as well as recent human events. This activity provides students with an opportunity to ... Full description.

This lesson shows students that age-dating rocks involves counting atoms and comparing the counts. Students use simulated rock samples, which show a highly magnified selection of 128 atoms, each sample with a different proportion of the atoms of two different elements: a parent radioisotope, and its daughter product. By counting the parent radioactive atoms and knowing the half-life of those atoms, ... Full description.

Virtual Dating teaching package contain exercises, questions and interactive diagrams describing absolute dating techniques used in geology. These interactive (Flash) online exercises that help students to use and understand decay curves. All questions must be answered correctly before the student can move on to the next set. Users will also find Virtual Dating Isochron and Virtual Dating Demonstration ... Full description.

This activity asks students to place 6-10 events in Earth history on a timeline, first working in small groups and then as a class. Then, through questions, important points such as how certain events are dated, where humanity fits in, and so forth, can be brought up. The Starting Point website builds a context for the exercise by detailing the learning goals, teaching notes and materials (downloadable), ... Full description.

This site provides access to a number of visual resources and supporting material illustrating the concept of radioactive decay and its central role in radiometric dating. Visualizations include diagrams, graphs, static illustrations and photos. Resources found on this site are suitable for use in lectures and classes and may also be used as the basis for labs or other activities. Full description.

In this activity, students will discover that the rate at which radioactive elements decay into more stable daughter elements can be used to determine how old a fossil or rock is. They will also learn that the heat energy radiated from radioactive isotopes can be used to produce electricity, and investigate some of the hazards associated with radioactive materials. Using a model made with pennies, ... Full description.

In this lab activity using M&M candy, students will explore the concepts of radioactive decay and dating. Students generate a radioactive decay table to simplify the math, use their data to plot a decay graph, develop the concept of half-life, and then use the graph to find the age of a mummified seal in Wright Valley, Antarctica. In a follow-up exercise, students will solve a mysterious Arctic ... Full description.