Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: A Data Rich Exercise for Discovering Plate Boundary Processes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This article in the Journal of Geoscience Education describes a classroom exercise based on four world maps containing earthquake, volcano, topographical and seafloor age data. Students participate in this exercise by using a "jigsaw"...
Handout
Other

University of Wisconsin Green Bay: Faults and Earthquakes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is primarily set up as an outline and is loaded with graphs, maps, and images. It covers a variety of earthquake-related topics, such as what causes earthquakes, fault lines and structures, seismology, a historical look at...
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: This Dynamic Planet

For Students 9th - 10th
Research and explore past earthquake and volcanic activity on this interactive world map. User can manipulate which notable events and other map characteristics to view depending on the type of study being done.
Lesson Plan
University of Wisconsin

Scien Count Ers: Earthquake Proof Buildings

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
This instructional activity looks at how the forces of an earthquake impact on buildings, and different ways to make buildings earthquake-proof. Includes student worksheet and tectonic plates map.
Handout
Purdue University

Purdue University: San Francisco Bay Area Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students use geologic fault maps of the San Francisco Bay Area to find relationships between tectonic plate fault lines and landscape features, topographic features, and epicenters of past earthquakes.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Getting to the Point: Exploring Tectonic Motion Point Reyes Seashore

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The intent of this module is for students to make straightforward numerical calculations as they learn about earthquake geology at a National Park.
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Geological Oceanography

For Students 9th - 10th
This unit will focus on the geological characteristics of the world ocean, plate tectonics, and the mapping of the ocean floor.
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: North Cascades National Park Geology

For Students 3rd - 8th
Resource explores the history and geology of the Cascade Mountains. Content includes a geologic story, virtual field trip, a look at plate tectonics and the rocks & minerals found in the Cascade Mountains, geologic maps, and more.
Unit Plan
Geographypods

Geographypods: Theme 2: Natural Environments

For Students 9th - 10th
A rich collection of highly engaging learning modules on topics related to the natural environment. Covers four main areas - plate tectonics, forms and processes, weather and climate, and rainforest and desert. Within each of these,...
Website
Other

Usgs: Geology in the Parks

For Students 9th - 10th
Details regarding the geology of national parks in the United States.
Handout
NOAA

Noaa: National Ocean Service Education: Global Positioning Tutorial

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated tutorial explains the history and science of geodesy. Animations help students visualize how scientists measure and monitor the size and shape of the Earth and the location of points on its surface.
Activity
Other

Paleomap Project

For Students 9th - 10th
Virtual reality animation map showing continental drift from 200mya to the present. The animation map is small but effective in showing the positions of the land masses.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Fairly Simple Geology Exercises

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A collection of geology exercises which include relevant background information, complete instructions, student handouts, and answer keys. Topics include rock and mineral identification, Bowen's reaction series, crystal models,...
Interactive
Math Science Nucleus

I. Science Ma Te: Integrating Science, Math and Technology

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
This site offers a wealth of online textbook-related materials that encourage the discovery of science in the world around us. Enter the site to access material on specific topics. Each section contains reading material (complete with...
Lesson Plan
Other

Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Earthquake Country

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A suite of lessons focusing on all aspects of earthquakes. Inquiry-based exploration of earthquakes includes measuring seismic waves, predicting earthquakes, investigating magnitude and intensity, mapping fault lines, and evaluating...
Website
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Discover Our Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Study earthquakes, volcanoes, topography, plate tectonics, and sea level change using graphs, maps, and movies. Engage in earth science knowledge discovery, critically evaluate the data and results, and reach conclusions about the earth...
Website
Other

Geological Survey Program: Facts About the New Madrid Seismic Zone

For Students 10th - 12th
It's surprising to find out that the New Madrid Seismic Zone is the most seismically active area in the United States. The facts go into the New Madrid fault very scientifically and are very detailed. Find maps and charts showing...
Graphic
Curated OER

Extreme Science: A Lesson in Plate Tectonics

For Students 9th - 10th
With its clickable map, this site provides text and graphics on spreading boundary, converging boundary, subduction zone, transverse boundaries and faults.
Graphic
Other

Earth History: The Paleomap Project

For Students 9th - 10th
The Paleomap Project illustrates the plate tectonic development of the ocean basins and continents, as well as the changing distribution of land and sea during the past 1,100 million years.
Unit Plan
E-learning for Kids

E Learning for Kids: Science: Seychelles: Earthquakes and Effects

For Students 5th - 7th
Students learn about what happens inside the Earth to cause an earthquake, how earthquakes are measured, their impact on the surface, and safety precautions to take during an earthquake.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Earth Science Education Activities: Prof. Larry Braile

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson collection covering plate tectonics, with some structural geology and planetary science projects. The PDF files include activities, hand outs, maps, and directions for building a simple seismometer and seismograph. Also included...
Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Nagt: Bringing the Geologic Time Scale Down to Earth in the Students' Backyard

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This activity is specifically designed for a field trip to Drayton Hall, which is a historic plantation near Charleston, South Carolina. It does provide a model of how a similar activity could be designed for a local area, and there are...
Interactive
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Long Valley Caldera

For Students 9th - 10th
Long Valley Caldera area has had a history of eruptions and earthquake swarms. Learn more with this interactive map that reveals geology, eruptions, earthquakes, and more.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Bathymetric Evidence for Seafloor Spreading

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes features of the seafloor and how they are mapped by echo sounding. It touches upon the continental margin as well.