As viewed from space, the Earth appears beautiful and serene. As you well know, however, here standing on Earth, it's complicated! Complex, that is. And, it's constantly changing. Often changes on Earth happen so slowly it would be...

Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard MS-ESS2-4: cycling of water through earth's systems.

An overview of content about Earth and its atmosphere. The module was developed for middle school science teachers to provide background information for teaching the curriculum.

In this lesson, students will understand that temperature changes can cause density changes in water and in air.

A suite of lessons lead inquiry-based exploration of melting sea ice and evidence that it is affecting sea level, namely glacial evidence, geologic evidence, fossil evidence, and isotopic evidence.

Teach the concept of scale models and the size of the solar system through this extensive lesson plan. Middle schoolers will learn about scale models, estimate which objects to use to create a scale model of Earth and Sun, and figure out...

This learning module examines the Earth's stores of fresh water and how the balance between stores of water in the oceans and in ice is changing. Students then investigate how a maximum sustainable amount of freshwater can be achieved by...

Find a large collection of internet resources organized around our home planet, Earth. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.

Using a surficial features map, students see the connections between those features and other Earth systems. They will consider the interactions of the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.

This lesson plans uses Geographic information systems (GIS) technology to explore the local geography.

Everything in Earth's system can be placed into one of four major subsystems: land, water, living things, or air. These four subsystems are called "spheres." Specifically, they are the "lithosphere" (land), "hydrosphere" (water),...

Enter our solar system to interact with the planets, moons, asteroids, meteors, and more. Investigate with NASA scientists and explore missions related to space exploration. Read facts, compare statistics, look through resources, and...

The plate tectonics and other features of the Earth's lithosphere are explained and illustrated. Has links to definitions of the magnetosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

Imagine our weather if Earth were completely motionless, had a flat dry landscape and an un-tilted axis. This, of course, is not the case; if it were, the weather would be much different. The local weather that impacts our daily lives...

This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for an earth science unit on dark matter. Review questions are included at the bottom of the study guide.

A detailed overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in the solar system.

Use Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to observe climate change with these interactive lessons.

A continuation of Beyond the Earth Part I. As part of a unit on the solar system, students will choose a component of the solar system to research. Students may use a variety of resources such as the Internet, books, and reference...

Material to begin an exploration of the Solar System: the characteristics of the planets, theories about planet formation, and more. An hour-long video is accompanied by learning goals, an outline and overview, details on star formation,...

Developed by the U.S. military, The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth.

Read about regional and local wind systems, including information on changes in atmospheric pressure, thermal energy in the atmosphere, sea and land breezes, mountain and valley breezes, and monsoon winds.

Students will access prior knowledge of the solar system by completing a graphic organizer. After participating in a teacher lecture and whole group discussion, the students will work in collaborative groups to create a...

Students will work in cooperative groups to research characteristics of each of the planets in our solar system. Students will design a travel brochure outlining the characteristics of each planet. Each group will make an oral...

In this illustrated essay from NOVA Online, explore the cyclical process of weather creation and the effects of El Nino on the global weather system.