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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Friend, The Volcano

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students describe the positive impacts of volcanic activity on marine ecosystems. In this volcano lesson students explore the process that causes volcanic activity along the Mariana and Kermadec Island Arcs.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living With the Heat: The Ring of Fire

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate the planet Earth's infamous ring of fire and the life that thrives from it.  In this ocean environment lesson, students investigate hydrothermal vents and how organisms thrive off their heat.  Students complete a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth System Science

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the Earth and its ability to support life. They discuss the geosphere and the water cycle and complete the Water Wonders activity. After completing the activity, they respond in their journals and reflect upon the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twisting the Air Away - The Coriolis Effect

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Coriolis Effect and its effects on the different hemispheres.  In this Earth science lesson students divide into groups to  they make predictions. Students then complete an activity to explore movement as it relates...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demonstration of Factors Affecting Soil Temperature

For Teachers 1st - 7th
Students examine the influences of water and mulch on soil temperature.  In this investigative activity students complete a soil experiment. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Pollution Over Where?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Pupils predict the movement of an air borne pollutant using their understanding of air currents. They determine which governments and/or communities should be contacted to be forewarned. They also explore the properties of their assigned...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atmospheric Processes - Radiation

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Learners investigate how different surfaces absorb heat, and how the physical characteristics of a surface have a powerful effect on the way a surface absorbs and releases heat from the sun.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Origins: Earth Is Born

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners develop a timeline of all the major events involved in the formation of the Earth and the emergence of humans. In groups, they focus on a specific topic by watching a PBS program and taking notes. After the video, they list...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Model of the Sea-floor

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students create a paper model to illustrate sea-floor spreading.
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Lesson Plan
Ocean Explorer

Living with the Heat

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young oceanographers study the Submarine Ring of Fire, which is a series of deep-water volcanic vents that come up from the ocean floor. Learners take a close look at the unique ecosystems that are associated with these areas, how these...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Did They Come From?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Give science learners nine questions about the biogeography of hydrothermal vents and turn them loose to research this fascinating habitat. Working in cooperative groups, they prepare a report that addresses each of the questions. A...
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Lesson Plan
Ocean Explorer

The Volcano Factory

For Teachers 5th - 6th
The tectonic processes that have resulted in the formation of the Marianas Arc, and the Marianas Trench are explored. Groups of pupils access websites that give them a wealth of information about these formations. Each group must prepare...
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Where There's Smoke, There's ...

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A remotely operated vehicle approaching a volcano was engulfed by molten sulfur where the plumes of fluids contained the highest concentrations of aluminum ever recorded. This isn't science fiction or an April fools joke, though it did...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hurricane Happenings

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Fourth and fifth graders engage in this impressive lesson which focuses on the causes of hurricanes and tropical storms. The use of video clips and Internet sites helps facilitate discussion amongst pupils which should lead them to a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thunderstorms and Lightning

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers, in groups, investigate and demonstrate the science behind the development of lightning and thunderstorms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hydrothermal Vent Challenge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Give our ocean voyagers the "Hydrothermal Vent Challenge!" It is a worksheet that guides them through an exploration of hydrothermal vents and the chemical reactions that occur when lava meets seawater. Using a collection of websites,...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Label the Earth Diagram

For Students 6th - 9th
In this earth's layer worksheet, students label a diagram of the earth's layers. They are given 4 terms and their definitions to read and students determine which layer is which on the diagram based on the definitions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students participate in a series of experiments to learn about plate tectonics and the different materials of the Earth. In this plate tectonics lesson plan, students use eggs, water, beakers, paper, and more materials to learn about the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the biggest Plates on Earth

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners understand the movement of tectonic plates. In this tectonic plates lesson, students access prior knowledge of convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.  Learners discuss energy transfer involved in plate motion. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heat Absorption and Radiation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners experiment with the concepts of absorption and reflection of radiant energy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonic Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners explore the Earth's movements by completing worksheets. In this plate tectonics lesson, students define such natural disasters as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and mudslides and discuss their connections to plate tectonics....
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Hurricane and Tornadoes Vocabulary

For Students 4th - 5th
Quiz your young meteorologists using this simple matching worksheet. Learners inventory 16 weather-related terms, matching them to the appropriate definition on the right. There are an equal number of definitions as there are terms. A...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Islands, Reefs, and a Hotspot

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students describe eight stages in the formation of islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. They examine the movement of tectonic plates in the Hawaiian archipelago region, and describe how plate movement produced the Hawaiian archipelago.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Review For Weather Quiz 2

For Teachers 6th - 12th
In this science worksheet, students look at the information carefully in preparation for a formal assessment. The focus is upon defining different aspects of air masses.