Lesson Plan
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How Far?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore how different textures provide varying amounts of friction to objects moving across them. They build a tool to measure the amount of friction between a note card and various surfaces by measuring the distance that a...
Lesson Plan
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Mars Geologic Mapping

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify and interpret photographic details of a Martian surface image, design, and create a simple features map. They identify and interpret the geologic history of a part of Mars' surface and then, analyze and discuss the...
Lesson Plan
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Earthquakes

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe the melting of ice. In this phase change lesson, students observe ice as it melts. They discuss the process and create a Venn diagram comparing water and ice.
Lesson Plan
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Pass the Plate

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars define constructive forces. They describe how landforms are created as a result of constructive forces. Students recognize active volcano areas in the United States. They demonstrate an understanding of Panagea.
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Friction This

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate road surface and calculate speed. In this algebra lesson, students analyze the roughness of a road and calculate distance and speed based on friction. They relate friction and energy to speed.
Lesson Plan
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Discovering Friction

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students watch a demonstration that introduces them to the idea that friction is a force that impedes motion when two surfaces are in contact. They work in groups to experiment with frictional force using a coffee cup on which they alter...
Lesson Plan
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Working With Electronic Topography Maps

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Junior geologists examine topographic maps online and learn how to read them. they answer seven associated follow-up questions. This lesson plan is only a general outline and does not provide the details or the websites that you...
Lesson Plan
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Bouncing Balls

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to examine how different types of balls react to colliding with different surfaces. They discover the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions. They practice calculating momentum as well.
Lesson Plan
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It Came from Outer Space! The AA Meteorite Connection

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students discover why Antarctica is the most fruitful place on earth for locating meteorites. They work in groups. Students are given a Museum or University Name for each group. They are explained that each group is allowed to comb...
Lesson Plan
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Volcanoes: Death and Recovery

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the aftermath of a volcano. In groups, they participate in activities focusing on the impact on plants and animals. To end the lesson, they discuss the positives to the environment after a volcanic eruption.
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Igneous Rocks/Volcanoes

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students differentiate between the two types of igneous rock and designate the area the rock comes from.
Lesson Plan
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Oil Slick Emergency

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how to recover and remove oil from an oil spill.  In this oil spill clean-up lesson students use role play and act like a committee to determine how to clean up an oil spill.
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Cypress/Tupelo Swamps

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students study the geologic history of terrain, soils, and drainage patterns. They recognize ecological processes that determine the dynamic nature of habitats. They investigate the influence of human activity on the landscape.
Lesson Plan
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Polygons, Pingos, and Themokarst! Oh MY!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students complete activities to learn about the common land features in Alaska. In this land study lesson, students study an overhead for permafrost features. Students define ice wedge polygons, thermokarst, and pingos. Students also...
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Newton's Laws of Motion

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the effect of thin films to surface friction. In this physics lesson, students calculate the coefficient of friction using mathematical formulas. They discuss its importance in their everyday lives.
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Black Out

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students collect and analyze data. In this statistics lesson, students plot their data on a coordinate plane and find the line of best fit. They calculate the linear regression using the data.
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Volcano Under the City

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the different flow rates of liquids and how lava's viscosity influences flow.  In this liquids lesson students complete several handouts and a lab activity.
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Walking on Frozen Ground

For Teachers K - 4th
Students listen to an Elder speak about permafrost structures in their area. In this permafrost lesson plan, students listen to the guest speaker, take a tour outside to view permafrost structures, and draw them.
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Wet Water, Dry Land

For Teachers K - 3rd
Pupils observe and examine relationship between landforms and bodies of water, recognizing differences between them. Students then define island, peninsula, isthmus, archipelago, lake, bay, straight, system of lakes, and identify land...
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Greenhouse Effect

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Pupils investigate the greenhouse effect. In this environmental lesson, students investigate why the greenhouse effect changes the climate through an experiment. Pupils use vinegar to simulate how acid damages the environment.
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From Lake to Tap

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners use the Internet to study how water is treated to make it safe to drink. They use a tutorial on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website to gain this information. They complete a worksheet for the assessment portion...
Lesson Plan
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The Greenhouse Effect in a Jar

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore climate change by participating in a physical science experiment. In this greenhouse effect lesson plan, students discuss the impact global warming has on our environment and how it works. Learners utilize a glass jar,...
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Go Glacier Go!

For Teachers K - 4th
Students create a model of a glacier and observe how it moves. In this landforms lesson plan, students learn what a glacier is, build a model glacier and observe how it moves in a manner that more closely resembles a liquid than a solid.
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Japan and The Ring of Fire

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a study of the volcanic forces and earthquakes associated with The Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. The people of Japan are researched in how they have dealt with living in the area. Also students write in journals...