Students describe how volcanoes are formed. They name the types of boundaries where volcanoes occur. They utilize models to illustrate the occurence of volcanoes and earthquakes along plate boundaries. They compare and constrast the...

Students discover the techniques meteorologists use to examine the atmosphere. In groups, they build their own weather station and observe the various weather conditions. They identify the types of weather patterns that allow the...

Students study volcanoes including rock fragments, ash, aerosols and gases.  In this volcano instructional activity students divide into groups and build models of the three major types of volcanoes. 

Fourth graders identify basic properties of minerals and rocks. They access websites and utilize worksheets imbedded in this lesson to further their understanding of rock classification.

Students investigate the geological, climatic, and biological features of Big Sur. They watch a video, conduct Internet research, and create a script and images in the form of an outline in a simulation of an environmental group.

Pupils explore modeling of geologic structures in experiments. They study how compressive and tensile forces produce these structures. The compression makes the flatlying strata shorter and tension make the strata longer.

Learners learn the different shapes of Volcanoes and discuss why volcanoes only have a few shapes.

Students study the weather on other planets in our solar system.  In this planetary weather lesson students create a display of the different weather conditions on the other planets. 

Students complete activities for a lesson about reservoirs and production. In this geology lesson, students complete a 7 page packet of activities to explore porosity, permeability, and rock properties.

Students design and conduct an experiment to compare the water-holding capacity of sand, soil, and moss. They measure the change in weight for each material after adding the same amount of water to each material.

Students make predictions and analyze soil. In this soil properties lesson plan, students make predictions about soil properties for various soil samples. Students examine the types of soils and record their observations. Students...

Students simulate the dating process with popcorn. For this geology lesson, students discuss how geologist find the age of rocks by gauging the amount of decay of radioactive elements. They have 6 bags of popcorn and each group...

Seventh graders investigate how soil is formed. They analyze types of soil samples, examine soil using a magnifying glass or microscope, complete a chart, conduct a soil and plant experiment, and construct a soil profile.

Students observe the melting of ice. In this phase change lesson, students observe ice as it melts. They discuss the process and create a Venn diagram comparing water and ice.

Students examine a potential asteroid impact site. They describe evidence and theories for extinction events.

Students describe the positive impacts of volcanic activity on marine ecosystems. For this volcano lesson students explore the process that causes volcanic activity along the Mariana and Kermadec Island Arcs.

Learners explore the nature and composition of a comet. They research comet facts, legends, and myths. They identify different types of comets and describe what happens to a comet as it travels closer to the Sun.

Students describe the water cycle. Students identify the processess in the water cycle. They draw an illustration of the water cycel with arrows showing the path water takes through the cycle. Students label condesation, precipitation,...

Students recognize that metals, nonmetals, and metalloids have common attributes. They Identify physical and chemical properties. Students define ores and identify where ores can be found.

Students interpret phase diagrams and explain the meaning of vocabulary words.  In this ocean explorer lesson students describe two uses of super-critical carbon dioxide. 

Students explore the concept of rock formation. In this sedimentary rocks lesson, students observe and record their findings about sedimentary rocks. Students then create limestone, coal, and sandstone models and write reports...

Second graders receive an introduction to the rock cycle. They dicuss the geologic rock cycle. They create a simulation of a sedementary rock.

Students study the moon and the planets. They create a painted, paper mache moon or planet sculpture.

Students complete a final written project. In this personal response lesson, students respond in a creative way to one of the issues presented in the unit.  Students may choose to create a series of postcards from a natural...