This site provides a non-mathematical introduction to the magnetism of the Earth, the Sun, the planets and their environments, following an historical thread. It is also available in French, Spanish, and German. Full description.

This site is designed to engage students in grades 7-12 in activities that focus on collaboration and communication strategies. These activities will strengthen student understanding of and ability to use collaborative processes and communication practices to clarify, conceptualize, and make decisions. Students will compare the risks of varying courses of action that confront scientists and engineers. ... Full description.

This on-line journal encourages the application of philosophical techniques to issues raised by the natural and human sciences. These include general questions of scientific knowledge and objectivity, as well as more particular problems arising within specific disciplines. Topics currently being discussed in the journal include: scientific realism, causation, the logic of natural selection, the interpretation ... Full description.

This reference explains the difference between a scientific law and a theory and how these terms are applied, and discusses the concept of "proof" and why it is unwise to apply it to ideas in science. Links to additional information and to a quiz are embedded in the text. Full description.

In this internet activity, students use search engines to build a list of facts about Earth science that fascinate them. After building the list, students will choose and rank their top ten amazing facts and answer some questions about them. Full description.

This lesson teaches students that scientific knowledge is fundamentally uncertain. Students manipulate sealed mystery boxes and attempt to determine the inner structure of the boxes which contain a moving ball and a fixed barrier or two. The nature and sources of uncertainty inherent in the process of problem-solving are experienced. The uncertainty of the conclusions is reduced by student collaboration. ... Full description.

In this activity, students will learn about data collection and the difference between discrete (snapshots) and continuous and real-time data. They will view a series of snapshots and write their explanation of the event. They then view a continuous video of the event and write what actually happened, and analyze their results. Full description.

This document illustrates a methodical approach to studying the natural world. It is intended to promote understanding of the nature of science and how the scientific method is used to advance science, focusing in particular on the Earth sciences. It also includes talking points for those who would like help explaining the nature of science to others who have developed misconceptions. Topics include ... Full description.

This project has at its heart a re-engagement with science that begins with teacher preparation and ends with broader public understanding. Its immediate goals are to (1) improve teacher understanding of the nature of the scientific enterprise, (2) provide resources and strategies that encourage and enable K-16 teachers to reinforce the nature of science throughout their science teaching, and (3) ... Full description.

This lesson is designed to help students recognize and deal with bias which may be found in scientific studies. Students will discover that because human values deeply influence terminology, the questions asked, and the criteria for choosing among theories, science incorporates procedures intended to eliminate (or at least reduce) the influence of natural biases we all have. One of these is the requirement ... Full description.