This activity demonstrates how different sizes of rock materials that make up an aquifer affect water movement. Students discover that ground water must be able to move through underground materials at rates fast enough to supply useful amounts of water to wells or springs in order for those materials to be classified as an aquifer. They also learn that for water to move in an aquifer, some of the ... Full description.

This slide presentation introduces the issue of marine debris and its environmental impacts, as seen in the Gulf of Mexico. Topics include what is considered marine debris, its general impacts, how it enters the Gulf, and types of debris. There is also information on persistence, how long materials may remain in the marine environment; how winds and currents act to concentrate debris in certain locations; ... Full description.

This animated slide show explains the causes and effects of acid rain. The slides show how the combustion of fossil fuels causes airborne emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, the mechanism by which they combine with water to form acids, and some of the effects on human health. A sequence of slides shows the process of acidification of a lake, with examples of healthy and damaged lakes. There are ... Full description.

This lecture covers information about the energy source that powers the Sun. Since the gravitational and the electromagnetic forces are insufficient to provide the energy of the Sun, the strong and weak nuclear forces are discussed. The rest of the lecture is devoted to an explanation of the nuclear reactions that can liberate energy and the mathematics involved, which provides a method to calculate ... Full description.

This demonstration of average density uses understandable units of total mass and volume of the Earth. The required supplies are a can of beer or soda and a 1-pound bag of pretzels. By imagining, for instance, 4.4 bags of pretzels fitting into a beer/soda can, students can better visualize the average density of the Earth. Full description.

This page offers a list of materials and directions for a demonstration that allows the student to observe Rayleigh scattering of light, and to understand what makes the sky appear to be blue. A link leads to an explanation of the observed phenomena. Full description.

This presentation describes the six crystal systems used for classifying minerals. Each of the systems is represented by a diagram showing the angles and proportions of the crystallographic axes, a physical model showing the possible arrangements of faces and one or more photos of actual specimens displaying the described symmetry and some possible modifications. Full description.

This demonstration of the Earth's magnetic field requires a DC motor, ammeter, electromagnet, and DC power supply or battery. The site explains the concept of a dynamo and how if an electrical conductor is in motion within a magnetic field, a current will be generated in the conductor, and if that current flows around in a loop, it will, in turn, generate a magnetic field. Full description.

This demonstration of natural selection has students select candies from a bowl, giving them an opportunity to think about what traits brought about the survival of some candies. After this activity, students will realize that not every feature of an organism is an adaptation, but features often reflect their evolutionary history. Adaptations often persist in a population because they are in some ... Full description.

This demonstration of volcanism involves heating a beaker with wax on the bottom covered with sand and cold water. It primarily demonstrates intrusive volcanic activity and produces only a model of a lava flow on the surface. At the end of the activity students should appreciate how rising magma can cool at and below the surface of the Earth forming rocks, which we call igneous. Full description.