Students are introduced to the concept of stratification as a historical and geological process. Students will read about the Richard Beene archaeological site, which lies near San Antonio, Texas on the Medina River, and watch a short...

In this matter learning exercise, students review the Earth's layers, write balanced equations, and compare the properties of different elements. This learning exercise has 29 fill in the blank questions.

Students are able to describe earth processes (e.g., rusting, weathering, erosion) that have affected selected physical features in students, neighborhoods. They are able to identify various earth structures (e.g., mountains, faults,...

In this plate tectonics worksheet, 5th graders are given notes with diagrams showing Earth's layers, the tectonic plates, evidence of Pangaea, sea-floor spreading and the types of boundaries. Students answer 5 review questions about the...

Fifth graders explore the causes of earthquakes and the various types of fault lines through a variety of hands-on demonstrations using prepared cakes. They record their observations in their science journals.

Fifth graders dig for fossils. In this fossil lesson, 5th graders read about the oldest found fossils and discuss the process of fossilization. They dig for their own fossils in a fossil box made of several dirt layers. 

Students explore the plate boundaries of the earth. Through the use of video, internet and hands-on activities, students examine the types of plate boundaries. They create a model to illustrate the movement and interaction of the...

Students identify types of rocks. In this geology lesson, students view animated graphics to identify how sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks are formed. Students take a rock quiz to show how different rocks are formed.

Students examine the process of tectonic plates and why the Mariana Arc is active with volcanoes. They create a model of the Mariana Arc out of clay.

Young scholars complete a variety of activities related to the physical characteristics of minerals. They classify and group candy, classify rocks and complete a Pet River Rock worksheet. Students try to guess which rock goes with each...

Students create an evolutionary tree based on fossil morphology and their ages. In this fossil record lesson plan, students are given 23 pictures of fossil. They study their morphology and arrange the fossils by age and structures on a...

Students study the basics of heating and cooling and how it pertains to the earth.  In this global lesson plan students read the Magic Tree House book then create a chart of their findings.

Ninth graders investigate the effect of different gases in the atmosphere. In this chemistry lesson, 9th graders explain how these gases contribute to global warming. They suggest possible solutions to this growing problem.

Students discuss the benefits of volcanic activity on marine life. They explain the process of tectonic plates.

Students discuss the drilling process. For this engineering lesson, students get into small groups and drill their own core samples in a sandwich using a plastic tubing, a jumbo straw, a slim straw and a offee stirrer predicting...

In this environmental science lesson, students study data and animation on global temperature increase to complete 8 short answer questions that follow.

In this Land of No Trees worksheet, learners read a passage titled "Land of No Trees" about the Arctic Tundra and complete an experiment and short answer questions about it. Students complete an experiment with a plastic container, soil,...

Students complete a unit of lessons on rocks and minerals. They conduct research, write e-mail questions to geologists, write daily journal entries, label maps demonstrating types of rocks/minerals found, and create a web page that...

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.

Students construct an experiment to test the rigidity of compressed air and its strength. In this earth science lesson, students are divided into groups, and by putting their thumb over the end of a straw, use the compressed air strength...

Ninth graders study the effects of soil and rocks on filtering groundwater.  In this groundwater lesson plan students complete a lab activity that includes sources of contamination. 

Students understand the destructive force of a tornado. They learn the role of a thunderstorm in the creation of a tornado.

Learners discover how water moves through different types of soils. In groups, they use the same sample from a previous activity and empty it into a milk carton in which they have layered with cheesecloth to determine the percolation...

Learners examine the different components that make up soil. Using data, they identify the components of soil in their local area and discover how scientists use the soil to see how it was formed. They also describe the soil forming...