An Internet-based set of course notes for minerals providing an outline of topics that would be covered in a lecture. Topics covered include bonds, states of matter, physical properties of minerals, Moh's Hardness Scale, silicates and nonsilicates, progressive polymerization, enivronmentrs of mineral formation and rock characteristics. The pages are truly notes, listing important topics but not providing ... Full description.

This PowerPoint presentation introduces the basic concepts of topographic mapping. Topics include contour lines, map scale, map symbols, using map scales to measure distance, and stream gradient. The presentation also addresses how to determine position on a map (the Public Land Survey; latitude and longitude), and how to determine elevations. Other topics include the concept that steepness of slopes ... Full description.

This demonstration elucidates the concept of propagation of compressional waves (primary or P waves) and shear waves (secondary or S waves), which constitute the seismic waves used in locating and modeling earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions, and for imaging the interior structure of the Earth. The demonstration uses a slinky, pushed along its axis to create a compressional (longitudinal) ... Full description.

This activity will help students understand how white light is broken up into its component colors by a diffraction grating and what the relationships are between the wavelength, frequency, and energy of light. Objectives, applicable standards, and pre-requisite materials are described, and instructions and a materials list are provided. Full description.

A detailed set of images that provide background for the study of igneous and metamorphic minerals, rocks and textures. Full description.

This interactive feature lets students investigate toxic chemicals and environmental health risks they might encounter in everyday life, in everyday places. Users can select a view of a town, city, the U.S.-Mexico border, or a farm. They can click on a location in the area to find out more about the chemicals that could be there, or roll their mouse over a chemical name to see where it might be found. ... Full description.

This elementary school/middle laboratory activity requires students to watch a demonstration of air pressure changes and then answer several questions. It is part of the Atmospheric Visualization Collection (AVC), which focuses on data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program. Full description.

This slide presentation shows how three satellites are used to determine a position on Earth by triangulation. Full description.

This series of exercises demonstrates basic principles associated with the Earth's magnetic field. Several relevant questions are included to support conceptual learning. Full description.

These presentations and accompanying documents are part of a symposium for the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, which took place in Montreal, Canada, in April 2005. The Center for the Assessment and Evaluation of Student Learning (CAESL) is committed to the design of new assessment systems that truly support classroom teaching and learning. Building on current knowledge ... Full description.