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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet Earth in Cross Section

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students will examine the layers of the Earth. In this geology lesson, students create a scale model of the Earth's interior using cash register tape. They will determine the percentage of error in the scale compared to the actual size...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Tsunami Waves

For Students 7th - 9th
In this tsunami waves worksheet, learners explore data from the Indonesian tsunami of 2004 and answer ten questions about the data. They draw conclusions about the devastation and destruction based on the amplitude and speed of the tsunami.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density Challenge

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students calculate the densities of several liquids that appear similar.  In this physical science lesson plan, students go beyond understanding the way liquids of different densities behave to researching how this knowledge applies in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hurricane!

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students model the effects of wind speed and water depth on the height of waves during a hurricane. In this meteorology lesson plan, students use a flexible straw and a 9X 13 baking dish to measure the differences in wave height. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading Satellite Images

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze satellite images.  In this astronomy instructional activity, students examine 3 satellite images in order to understand how satellite images are taken and what they can teach scientists.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Model of a Normal Fault

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars understand what a normal fault is and why it causes an Earthquake.  In this normal fault lesson, students create a model of a normal fault. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sedimentation Lab Activity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students predict how sediments in a water column will settle.  In this earth science lesson, students examine the layers of sedimentation. Students are given sediments to place into a column of water and observe how they settle....
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Interactive
Curated OER

Are You an Energy Efficient Consumer?

For Students 7th - 10th
In this energy consumption worksheet, students use on line resources to explore the energy use by different countries around the world. Students compare the amount of light emitted by different countries and their carbon dioxide...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dynamic Wetlands

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct and observe a model of two different types of wetlands. In this wetlands lesson, students create a model of a wetland with constant drainage and a wetland that maintains a well-saturated soil. Students observe and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take the Pulse of Your Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students discuss seismic waves. In this science lesson, students investigate the acceleration of the floor in the classroom similar to a seismograph. Students observe a three-component seismogram from an earthquake and determine what it...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History's Thermometers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explain the concept of paleoclimatological proxies. In this oxygen isotope lesson plan, students interpret data and make inferences about climate changes in the geologic past.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Explorations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners describe human benefits from ocean exploration. In this ocean exploration instructional activity, students focus on the historical, biological, and physical features of the deep oceans and man's exploration.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea and Ice Salinity

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students conduct an experiment.  In this salinity activity, students learn about sea ice, why it is important and how changing amounts can affect the sea.  Students conduct an experiment to find out the effects of salinity on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring for Petroleum - Modeling an Oil Reserve

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students experiment with locating oil reserves. In this conservation lesson, students use a cardboard box to create sand, rocks, and an oil reserve (water balloon). They use a probe to dig around in the box to find the oil reserve and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How High Is That?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore the National Spatial Reference System. In this vertical position lesson, students will discuss the use of vertical position data and solve practical problems involving geographic positioning.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Can Die Here – Death Valley California

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students use Google Maps to explore the rain shadow desert. In this climate lesson, students use the Internet, Google Maps, and directed inquiry worksheets to understand how rain shadow deserts form. Students apply climate concepts to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Off Base

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the Chatelier's Principle. In this pH lesson plan, students identify factors that resist changes in pH of the ocean and why the ocean is becoming more acidic.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil, Designer Soil: From Rainforests to the Prairie

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the role and importance of soil in the ecosystem.  In this Science and Social Studies lesson, students complete an experiment using various kinds of soil and clay and then examine how soil has a direct impact on our...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are We Falling Apart? Exploding Volcanoes

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students research and demonstrate volcanic activity. In this volcanism lesson plan, students research the types of volcanoes and define related terms using the Internet. They demonstrate volcanic activity with water, corn syrup, and flour.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Repeat Photography to Map Environmental Hazards

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the changes of their environment by experimenting with photography.  In this environmental observation lesson, students compare historic photographs of areas with pictures they have just taken.  Students create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fact of Global Warming

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate the harmful impact of global warming by reading news articles.  In this environmental care lesson plan, students analyze an article about the Kyoto Protocol and its goal of saving our environment.  Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GPS Ecosystem (Ecotone) Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe the characteristics of an ecotone. In this ecotone lesson, students pick out their area and describe the visual appearance, conditions, ecosystem, biodiversity, predators, prey, and trees in their ecotone. They create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bang! You're Alive

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Plate Tectonics. In this history of life lesson, students explain two ways the Theory of Plate Tectonics and the Big Bang are of direct benefits to humans.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paleoclimates and Pollen

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze soil for types of pollen to determine the probably climate conditions. In this earth science lesson, students make conclusions on what a climate is like based on soils samples. Students use a model soil...