NASA
Lava Layering
Take the old baking soda and vinegar volcano to the next level by using it to study repeated lava flows over time, examine geologic features on Earth and Mars, and speculate about some of the formations on Mars.
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Creating a Disaster
Students construct a volcano model. For this earth science lesson, students determine the structure and build of their volcano. They explain the danger of volcanic eruptions.
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Missouri Time Scale
Students plot events that happened years ago beginning with volcano activity. In this investigative lesson students are introduced to the different eras and plot them on a map.
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You're Grounded!
Students explore the Iceland volcanic eruption that halted European transportation in 2010. In this transportation lesson, students read an article about the event and then discuss the impact of the event. Extension activity suggestions...
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Energy
Students see that energy is everywhere in nature - in the light of the sun, in wind, in falling water and erupting volcanoes. Without energy, there is no life. This lesson provides many good ideas across the curriculum to study energy.
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Exploring Volcanoes
Fifth graders work in pairs in order to research an assigned volcano and answer specific questions that are listed in this lesson plan. They use a teacher created database to answer questions regarding specific characteristics of...
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Causes and Effects of Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Tenth graders discuss the techniques and tools scientists use to study about the earth, including techniques used to determine geological time scales. They share their personal experiences of earthquakes and volcanoes.
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Eyewitness Accounts
Young scholars use eyewitness accounts to gather and evaluate information about the events of the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. They play the following roles: reporter(s), eyewitnesses, and scientists who are investigating...
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Igneous Rocks
Second graders examine how igneous rocks are formed by watching a video. They create a volcano.
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Plate Tectonics
Learners identify that most of mountain ranges found on all major land masses and in the oceans are external reflections of tectonic movements within the earth. They identify that earthquakes and related phenomena are caused by the...
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A Hydrothermal Adventure
Students analyze hydrothermal vents. In this hydrothermal vents lesson, students discover the effects of hydrothermal vents on tectonic plates. Students make model hydrothermal vents to understand how they form and operate.
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Living With Disaster
Third graders identify and interpret natural disasters and act as experts to determine where the best location for a new farm would be. Students conduct research on an issue given as it relates to their area of expertise. Students...
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Igneous Rocks/Volcanoes
Students differentiate between the two types of igneous rock and designate the area the rock comes from.
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Volcano Above the Clouds
Learners develop a travelogue to describe the distinct ecological regions of Mount Kilimanjaro. They describe the health issues that may affect climbers, and any necessary equipment or safety precautions that the team may need at each...
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Water 1: Water and Ice
Young scholars explore the states of water. In this science lesson, students use observation, measurement, and communication skills to describe water as it changes from a solid to a liquid.
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Volcanic Violence
Students complete activities to study volcanic activities. In this volcanic activities lesson, students read an article about violent volcanoes. Students complete discuss questions and volcano projects for the lesson. students also take...
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Life on a Fiery Planet
Students study the effects on the evolution of human culture from volcanic events worldwide.
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I Got a Lava Livin' to Do in Pompeii
Scholars imagine themselves as citizens of Pompeii in 79 AD. First they are assigned a job (or place in society like a child or slave). Then they record their daily activities for the weeks leading up to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in...
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Plate Tectonic Cycle
Students explore the Earth's movements by completing worksheets. In this plate tectonics activity, students define such natural disasters as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and mudslides and discuss their connections to plate tectonics....
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Mapping Plate Boundaries
Students discover plate boundaries based on the uneven geographic occurrence of geologic hazards. After discussing geologic hazards, students plot different sets of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on maps.
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In the Rain Shadow
Students charts the rainfall averages on either side of a mountain range. In this water cycle lesson plan, students discover that mountain ranges affect weather patterns. Students pretend they are air traffic controllers and...
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Constructive and Destructive forces
Students explore constructive and destructive forces. In this constructive and destructive forces lesson, students complete a WebQuest. Students explore the different types of forces and their effect on the surrounding geography. When...
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A Visit to Southern Africa - Volcano
Students examine a cookie that represents pumice and lava in order to realize that lava is a composite of many rock particles. They compare and contrast pumice to the cookie by estimating, weighing, measuring and dissecting the cookie...
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Shake, Rattle and Erupt
Students study myths regarding four earthquakes myths. They receive a list of supplies each family should have at home to prepare for an earthquake and construct an "Earthquake Preparation" poster showing some of the most important items...