Students create a timeline of their lives. In this timeline lesson, students discuss relative and absolute time. They use events in their lives to create categories on a timeline. They link this lesson to geologic timelines.

Students explore the various ways in which geologists create fossil records. Working in pairs, students create a model of a fossil record through a hands on activity. They relate their experience to recent discoveries in geology and...

In this evolution activity, students will complete a table by writing in the era and biological event based on 4 different time periods of Earth's history. Students will answer 8 fill in the blank questions based on the different origin...

Students create cards for a memory game by entering data into a spreadsheet that is then merged into a word processing document. Tutorials are available through links on the lesson page.

Students define the origin of rock samples and how surface core samples can tell us about the history and make-up of Mars. Candies are used as a Martian surface sample. Students study the samples and make a hypothesis about the cause of...

Students research and locate earthquake epicenters on a map using latitude and longitude. They determine if the depth of an earthquake has any relationship to the distance from a plate boundary.

Students create their own topographical map using a potato. In this hands on lesson students construct a topographical map and explain what contour lines are using a potato.

Students gather geographic information about their community. They work together to create a community almanac.

Students explore and define methane hydrates and describe ways that it can impact their own lives.  In this methane hydrate lesson students create a molecular model and research methane hydrate. 

Students examine oil reliance in Britain and around the world. In this oil crisis lesson, students discuss how oil is produced and consider the supply left in the world. Students also examine the influences of oil prices and discover the...

In this earth history worksheet, students answer 12 questions about geological time, the eras of Earth, the changes taking place in early Earth and the life present during the eras. They also answer 2 questions about the Paleozoic Era.

Fifth graders conduct research on the geological formation Luray Caverns located in Luray, Virginia in preparation for a field trip to the caverns. They conduct Internet research, and answer worksheet discussion questions.

The video clip that comprises the warm up is not available, but the related article from The New York Times and the movie trailer for Aliens of the Deep are, leaving enough material to make this a fascinating lesson on deep-sea...

A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...

Fourth and fifth graders explore soil by taking a simulated field trip under the earth. They go to an Internet site that runs a simulation which charges them with finding a source of pollution that could destroy all of Earth's soil, and...

Who knew Snickers® could be used to teach science? Give your budding earth scientists a chance to explore the Law of Superposition, in addition to a well-earned snack.

Students examine the most common characteristics of clay and sand, and to understand how the properties of these materials affect the erosion of the landscape and the formation of the many landforms. They explore clay and sand through...

Students explore the origin and distribution of oil and gas in a region of global significance, the Middle East including the geologic history and the socio-political and environmental issues associated with hydrocarbon exploration and...

For this geologic time worksheet, learners will define the difference between eras, periods, and epochs in the geologic time scale. Students will also look at the role of geological events and fossils. This worksheet has 10 short answer...

Eleventh graders explain the topographical and geographical makeup of Deerfield. They explain the Massachusetts section of the Connecticut River Valley is located in the bed of glacial Lake Hitchcock, which contributes to its being a...

High schoolers discover how volcanic processes differ at convergent and divergent tectonic plate boundaries. They identify three geologic features that are associated with most volcanoes on Earth.

Students predict and then analyze the layout of the tectonic plates that form the ocean's floor using mapping skills and Inquiry based problem solving, They compare the depth of various regions in the ocean with the geologic age to...

Learners discuss what makes their drinking water safe and unsafe. They locate and visit a local tributary and test the water's pH, hardness, dissolved oxygen, and total alkalinity. They compose a summary paragraph about the tests and...

Fourth graders create a calendar about their state. In this state calendar lesson, 4th graders select a state theme and create a calendar based on that theme. Students write paragraphs for each month related to the theme and design the...