Students hypothesize about why various samples of coal have different characteristics. Pupils use information that they found during Internet searches to ascertain the validity of their hypotheses and verify the "story" of coal. ...

Learners locate some of the 1,500 active volcanoes on a world map. Then by comparing their maps with a map of the world's tectonic plates, they discover that volcanoes occur because of the dynamic nature of the Earth's lithosphere.

Anytime you make concepts clear with role playing or hands-on experience, it's a win for the whole class. Ping-Pong balls are used to represent carbon in a carbon cycle role-play activity. In small groups, children first discuss what...

The epicenter is the point on the ground above the initial point of rupture. The 10th lesson in a series of 20 encourages scholars to learn to triangulate the epicenter of an earthquake based on the arrival times of p waves and s...

Acid rain, and how it affects the environment, is the focus of this Earth science activity. During the study, learners evaluate measures to reduce acid rain, and design an investigation to demonstrate the conection between a hypothesis...

Third graders relate that the quality of their drinking water is subject to the condition of the environment and water found in streams and creeks in their community. They track the travel of a wad of paper from a student's desk to a...

Soil scientists gain experience with an infiltrometer can to determine the infiltration rates at different locations on campus. If you are using the entire unit, the class has already analyzed water flow and soil types, so they should...

Students create a paper model to illustrate sea-floor spreading.

In this coal formation worksheet, students read and informational sheet about coal formation. Students are given 5 short-answer questions regarding what they've read.

Learners make a model of the Earth's crust out of foam in order to better explain the make-up of the Earth's layers. They add continents and oceans.

Eighth graders describe and identify the three layers of the Earth. They work together to construct their own earth model. They share their creation with the class.

Young scholars investigate the earth's structural layers by participating in hands-on activities. They identify the earth's structure and investigate earthquakes.

Seventh graders examine how the different layers of rock show the history of the Earths surface.  In this rock instructional activity students divide into groups and complete an activity using clay.

Students participate in assessments related to the layers of the Earth. They read chapters of text, answer questions, watch videos, and identify and label continents and oceans on a map. They design posters, create vocabulary cards,...

Eleventh graders analyze and interpret an animated model of Earth’s rifting processes.  In this Earth Science lesson, 11th graders connect Earth’s rifting processes with the Earth’s surface in the Gettysburg battlefield. ...

Students explore the Earth's crust. In this earth science lesson, students participate in 2 activities that demonstrate physical and chemical weathering. Students also play Jeopardy with topics including volcanoes, earthquakes,...

Young scholars examine the constant changing of the Earth's atmosphere. After labeling the layers of the Earth, they identify various processes inside the Earth that can cause gases to be emitted. Using the internet, they research how...

Students create geologic maps of the Gettysburg battlefield. In this geologic skills lesson plan, students consider the variations of Earth's surfaces and explore strategies employed by the North and South in the Battle of Gettysburg to...

First graders study ways in which the earth changes due to erosion and weathering in this series of lessons.

Students make observations through 3-D visualizations. They explore scientific and geologic processes through the use of 3-D pictures.

Forty-five states and territories in the USA are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes. The discussion-based lesson covers what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. The 14th lesson in the series includes how to...

The San Andreas Fault is the largest earthquake-producing fault in California. In the seventh lesson plan in the 20 part series, pupils create maps of California, focusing on the San Andreas Fault system. The comparison of where...

Educate scholars on pollution—air, water, and land—with a series of lessons that begin with a thorough explanation of each type. Learners then take part in three activities to reinforce the importance of reducing pollution. They...

Students identify the interior layers of the Earth and analyze a diagram.  In this Earth's layers lesson students create a model of the Earth's interior.