How many rainforests are there, where are they, and do global factors effect their locations? These are great questions that have great answers. Children in grades four through eight use several different maps to determine why...

Students study pictures of plants, animals, and minerals. Students classify the pictures into the three groups. In this rock identification lesson, students complete a rock finding lab experiment by finding, cleaning, identifying, and...

Twelfth graders use this game to find minerals given rocks and outcrops in a plausible (but not real) geologic setting. They play without outside encouragement for hours as the world is fun to explore and the scoring system encourages...

For this rock worksheet, students review the three types of rocks and their distinguishing characteristics. This worksheet has 10 matching and 10 short answer questions.

Learners will design and build a structure to support a rock. Students will use their knowledge of movement of objects to determine the proper base to be built to support their rock. Learners will explore their natural area for...

Students investigate oxidation-reduction reactions involving iron by conducting an experiment in which they expose iron filings to different atmospheric and ocean conditions. They relate the results to the oxidation banding patterns seen...

Fifth graders listen as they are told about another way to classify rocks; by their hardness. They observe the Mohs Hardness Test overhead, discover how the test works, and then use materials such as pennies, butter knives, nails, and...

High schoolers make a " science surprise" or ice cream in the lab. In this melting point depression lesson plan, students use various substances with ice to determine the effects on the melting point of ice and the ability to make ice...

Kids can practice their observation and evidence-based argument skills with a fun and engaging look at artifacts. With a given set of objects, each child will sketch and describe the object, then partners work together to determine...

In this geologist worksheet, students identify and collect five geologic specimens that have important uses, giving an example of each. Also, they create a drawing that shows the cause of a volcano, a geyser, or an earthquake. Finally,...

Students simulate the formation of chondrites and asteroids. In this astronomy lesson, students demonstrate accretion using balloons and static electricity. They compare and contrast their models to the actual process of chondrites and...

Eighth graders measure strike and dip of given land features and explain the difference between them. They also look at rock and mineral samples for indentification, along with calculating the density. Finally, information is analyzed...

Students undertake a series of experiments and activities related to geology, especially in Connecticut. They evaluate types of rocks, minerals, and crystals, exploring the main concepts of geology.

In this igneous and sedimentary rocks worksheet, students will review 8 vocabulary words associated with the characteristics and types of igneous and sedimentary rocks. Then students will group the vocabulary words into two groups.

Second graders play the game I Spy to help identify objects made from rock. They investigate the properties and uses of rocks and go on an I Spy search on the playground. They sort pictures according to living and nonliving objects.

Students examine the most common characteristics of clay and sand, and to understand how the properties of these materials affect the erosion of the landscape and the formation of the many landforms. They explore clay and sand through...

Fourth graders participate in a series of activities designed to simulate mining for gold. They pan for "gold" and create a safe tunnel.

Fourth graders understand the importance of soil to the food web.  In this food web lesson, 4th graders create various food webs beginning with soil using yarn and name cards.  Students write about the importance of soil to one...

In this earth science worksheet, learners determine the name of 10 minerals based on the descriptions given on the page. They see pictures of a number of minerals, and check their answers with the word bank at the bottom of the page.

Students create rock (coal) critters.

In this geology learning exercise, 6th graders match the vocabulary words with the meanings found in the right column for the 12 words.

Students explain the difference between regolith formation on Earth and the Moon. In this space science lesson, students model the different factors affecting regolith formation on Earth. They identify the different types of weathering.

Whether used as a reading comprehension assessment, as the basis of a mini-lesson on reading strategies, or as extra practice, this exercise will prove to be valuable because of the answers and explanation key that accompanies the...

Students investigate nutrient cycling in a simplified desktop ecosystem involving aquarium and hydro-ponically grown plants. They set up an aquarium with 10 gallons of water at least a week before the lab is planned and place...