Introduce your earth science enthusiasts to the earth's energy budget. Teach them using an informative set of slides that include illuminating lecturer's notes, relevant vocabulary, embedded animations, colorful satellite maps, and a...

What goes into a museum display? A secondary-level STEM project prompts groups to design a museum display for the Tech Museum of Innovation. They create an analogous, interactive model illustrating a science concept to complete the...

"If global warming is real, why is it so cold?" Distinguishing the difference between weather and climate is important when it comes to understanding our planet. In these activities, young scientists look at the climate patterns in a...

Many people think they can't observe plate tectonics, but thanks to GPS, we know that Australia moves at a rate of 2.7 inches per year, North America at 1 inches per year, and the Pacific plate at more than 3 inches per year! Scholars...

In May of 1981, the Winter Park Sinkhole in Florida first appeared and is now referred to as Lake Rose. Scholars learn about the causes of sinkholes through an inquiry project. Then, they analyze recent data and draw conclusions to...

We can't dig a hole through the Earth, so how do we know about the layers beneath our feet? Scholars learn about layering through hands-on exploration of common materials. They study the characteristics of each layer and apply their...

Space diving refers to the act of jumping from outer space and falling through Earth's atmosphere before parachuting to land. Scholars learn about this extreme activity and study the layers of the atmosphere they must conquer in the...

A species-specific look at natural selection, the resource herein examines how adaptations have helped the population of rock pocket mice survive in a changing landscape. To begin, middle or high schoolers watch a 10.5 minute video,...

Why are Torrey pines only found in La Jolla, California and on Santa Rosa Island? Class members examine images of Torrey pines from these two locations, noting the similarities and differences, and then develop a demonstration model that...

Here's a workshop for teachers that rocks the academic world! Using earthquakes as a medium for instruction, educators learn about crosscutting engineering with science. Fun, hands-on, collaborative exercises encourage participants to...

Should the game go on or not? An engaging lesson plan asks small groups to make a decision using weather data. After analyzing a map, an updated forecast, and radar information, groups have to decide whether to cancel a baseball game....

Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard MS-ESS2-6: atmospheric and oceanic circulation.

This Weather, Climate & Water Cycling unit has students investigating small-scale storms, mesoscale weather systems and climate-level patterns of precipitation.

A collection of resources - interactive activities and teacher tutorials - on the impact the ocean has on weather and climate.

This hands-on activity will help students understand why summer is hotter than winter.

The concept of jet streams is explained on this site. Read about why jet stream winds blow from west to east, what the polar jet and subtropical jet are, the role that the rotation of the Earth plays, etc.

This site from NASA lists and defines global wind patterns. It features a graphic of these patterns and a self-test with answers.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at how atmospheric circulation cells affect the climate of regions.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at how heat is transferred in the atmosphere.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes how regional differences in solar radiation create global wind belts.

This video segment adapted from NOVA uses satellite imagery to illustrate the Gulf Stream's path and animations to explain how atmospheric phenomena cause it to move. [1:51]

An introduction to the factors that affect the Arctic's weather and climate: latitude, land/sea distribution, solar radiation, air temperature, air pressure, winds, humidity, clouds, and precipitation.

Check out how air circulates around us. Understand the differences between mesoscale and microscale.

A slideshow, a karaoke song to sing along to, and a short multiple-choice quiz on sedimentary rocks and how they are formed.