This collection of activities and lesson plans covers grade levels 7-12, with notes on how some of the plans might be adapted for other age groups. Topics fall mainly within tectonics, with some structural geology and planetary science projects. The PDF files include activities, hand outs, maps, and even directions for building a simple seismometer and seismograph. Also included are suggestions for ... Full description.

The purpose of this lesson is to familiarize students with the different types of transnational pollution, and to give them an opportunity to role play in a hypothetical case of transnational pollution on the Danube River. This lesson introduces the grandest and most threatening problem of the global environment-transnational pollution. The flow of pollutants across national boundaries has confirmed ... Full description.

This lesson familiarizes students with the different types of transnational pollution, and gives them an opportunity to role-play in a hypothetical case of transnational pollution involving the Danube River. The major goal of this activity is to show students that an incident in one nation may well have serious environmental consequences for other nations. Additionally, it will give students an opportunity ... Full description.

This in-class exercise, profiled on the Starting Point website, is intended to have the students discover plate boundaries based on the uneven geographic occurrence of geologic hazards. The website details the learning goals, teaching notes and materials, and context for this activity. It offers an extensive list of links to additional resources and materials for lecture on geologic hazards and plate ... Full description.

In this activity, students read an article entitled "Why Study Geology?", then write an essay addressing points listed in the Writing Prompt. After this, students are introduced to the process of Calibrated Peer Review and evaluate their papers. On this Starting Point page, users can access information about the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, ... Full description.

The National Geographic Society's global energy debate lesson plan explores the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States. Students will research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implications. They will then assume the roles of pivotal stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee responsible for making decisions ... Full description.

The Coral Bleaching: Making our Oceans Whiter lesson was developed by National Geographic. This lesson plan deals with coral reefs and the recent increase in coral bleaching. The students will be learning about the ecology of reefs, the habitats they create, the algal symbiosis that ends with bleaching, and the role of human impact. The plan also outlines a role-playing debate for the students, and ... Full description.

In this assignment, students explore the origin and distribution of oil and gas in a region of global significance. Also included are the geologic history and the socio-political and environmental issues associated with hydrocarbon exploration and production. Students then walk through an online case study and write an essay addressing important points that they have learned. The Calibrated Peer Review ... Full description.

This activity explores the significance and geologic history of the Kerguelen Plateau Large Igneous Province, as revealed by Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Legs 120 and 183. After examining all the source material, the students write an essay addressing the important points that they have learned. The Calibrated Peer Review interface is then used to give feedback on the essays. On this Starting Point ... 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.