In this activity, students construct a topographic map of model terrain using a potato as their model. After making the map, they should be able to explain what contour lines are and what they represent. A materials list, instructions, and background information are provided. National content standards and links to additional information are also included. Full description.

Dunes in the desert can make awesome noises like the sounds of faraway drums and marching armies. Scientists are studying what properties of the sand cause these booms. The clip is 2 minutes in length. Full description.

The Global Schoolhouse contains an interactive geography game, a place for students to share field trip experiences, online expeditions, a clearinghouse for collaborative projects from around the world, classroom conferencing, news lists, professional development resources, and a project for students to create an international newspaper. There is also an international competition for K-12 students ... Full description.

This lesson explores the concept of location and allows students to create their own tools to determine their location on the Earth's surface. Students will learn about the historical use of quadrants for navigation, construct their own quadrants, measure their location, and report and compare their results. Full description.

Using surveys and topographic maps, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has determined distances between points and elevations of features, and put them into a data format at this website. Elevations of the 50 largest cities, highest and lowest points in each state, summits over 14,000 feet, summits east of the Rocky Mountains, geographic centers of each state, length of US boundaries, and ... Full description.

This lesson plan asks students to consider the theories and methods Robert Ballard may have used in some of his recent deep-sea investigations. Students will learn about conducting science experiments based on theories and using rigorous scientific principles. They should learn about the ways in which scientific investigation is used in the real world. Full description.

In this activity, students will use a Geographic Information System (GIS) to map the occurrence of all known meteorites in Colorado before 2000. By making modifications to the map they have constructed, the students will answer some questions about the distribution pattern they see and why it might exist. The activity uses ArcExplorer Java Edition for Education (AEJEE), a free GIS software produced ... Full description.

In this National Geographic lesson plan, students look at various regions and define what a region is, give examples, and understand the subjective nature of determining regional boundaries. Full description.

GeoCommunicator provides searching, accessing, and dynamic mapping of data for Federal Surface Management boundaries, Mining Claims, Land and Mineral Use Records, and the Public Land Survey System from the Bureau of Land Management's National Integrated Land System and the Legacy Rehost 2000 System (LR2000). Users may: publish geographic data and activities they wish to share; communicate land-related ... Full description.

This web site is one of the world's largest online databases, providing access to a vast store of aerial photographs and digitized topographical maps of the United States, provided by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). TerraServer is designed to work with commonly available computer systems and web browsers over slow speed communications links. You can visit your own neighborhood or take a look at ... Full description.