Curated OER
Gold Mine
Students investigate gold. In this gold panning lesson, students demonstrate the process of mining through an experiment using two boxes of sand. Students design a safe way to mine gold.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Your Family Does What?
Sixth graders compare and contrast their own personal culture with that of Japan. They fill out questionnaires, compile the results, and match them with Japanese answers to the same forms. Students create a Venn diagram of the...
Curated OER
Creating Journals
Students take a virtual tour of Yosemite and selects photographs to use in their journal.
Curated OER
Chemical Bonding
Eighth graders identify the three main types of chemical bonds. In this chemistry lesson, 8th graders draw Lewis dot diagrams of elements and determine the bond formed. They create a model water molecule.
Curated OER
The Story of Hot Springs, 1500-1900 AD
Students study the geology and hydrology of Arkansas hot springs and how they contributed to the development of the city of Hot Springs. They create advertisements for the city of Hot Springs and the therapeutic effects of the waters.
Curated OER
Dino Detectives
As students examine maps of Utah, 4th graders search for clues about what prehistoric life was like in Utah.
Curated OER
Limited Resources - Understanding Our Cultural Resources
High schoolers examine and compare preserving natural resources and preserving cultural resources. They conduct Internet research on two topics, and write a position paper on whether cultural resources or natural resources are more...
Curated OER
Dino Fossils
Primary paleontologists discover the information they can gather from examining fossils. They place pictures in the correct sequence showing how an animal becomes a fossil. They discuss which sediments would preserve fossils better as well.
Curated OER
Solid Earth Socratic Questions
Young scholars participate in a whole class discussion to relate what they know about earthquakes to the processes of plate tectonics. They respond to prompts that lead them to conclusions about the layers of the earth.
Curated OER
Let's Go! Virtual Yellowstone Tour
Students research the geologic wonders of Yellowstone National Park. They locate the main geologic features of Yellowstone on a map of the park. Students write a description of the geologic features to be included on the map for a...
Curated OER
Mining Bingo
Young scholars review the list of definitions of mining terms before playing bingo. They fill in each square using one word or term per square leaving no square blank before playing the game.
Curated OER
Natural Hazards
Students evaluate the hazards of naturally occurring events. After watching a video concerning safety hazards, students work in groups to discuss the safety issues involved in taking a trip to a mountainous region. Recommendations are...
Curated OER
Jupiter's "Monstrous" Magnetosphere
Students explore Jupiter's magnetosphere. In this Jupiter lesson, students examine a diagram of the magnetic field that surrounds Jupiter.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Minerals, Crystals, and Gems
Through this series of three lessons, students will gain an understanding of the basics of mineral science. In their investigation they will also work through the scientific process as they practice their observation skills, form...
Minerals Ed
Mineral Resources Education Program of Bc: Teacher Resources
Teachers find resources connected to the minerals industry of British Columbia, including comprehensive units for all grade levels, with specific curriculum links to provincial curriculum, and integrated science kits.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Building Geology: Rock and Mineral Hunt
Students will use their observational skills to examine rocks they find on the exterior of the school building and on the ground on the campus.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Investigating Different Rock Types
In this investigation, students explore the characteristics of various types of rocks.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Rocks
In this classroom guided inquiry lesson plan, students will become geologists. They will investigate rocks and the properties we can use to describe them. Students will observe, record, and reflect on their findings. They will record...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Fairly Simple Geology Exercises
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,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Rock Identification and Usage
In this activity, students explore rocks using their five senses. They sort them into groups, learn about landforms, and learn how rocks are used by humans. Their discoveries are recorded in their science notebooks.
Other
Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf]
This set of lesson plans was developed to accompany Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future, a documentary film created by Caterpillar and Science North. They introduce students to the various phases involved in mining,...