American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Fossil Formation

This site includes learning resources and activities for Earth Science Week 2016. The goal of the week is to "engage young people and others in exploring geoheritage throughout the Earth systems, including the geosphere, hydrosphere,...

Students play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and how nitrogen is relevant to living things.

After researching how scientists drill into the ocean floor to retrieve core samples, students work in small groups to simulate the process in the classroom and report on their findings.

In this activity, students learn about the ingredients in toothpaste and develop a recipe for a new toothpaste, for which they must also create a slogan and an ad for marketing their product to consumers.

In this experiment, students create a model of the water cycle and learn about its crucial role in moving water around the Earth.

Students become scientists, and learn about the usef of seismic technology to map patterns of rock formations below the surface of the Earth.

Students learn about the history of Earth imaging, the Landsat satellite program. They develop interpretation skills as they play a game that involves inferring the subjects of various Landsat images.

Students will observe fault movements on a model of the earth's surface.

In this activity, students use pipe cleaners and foam balls to build a model of a hydrocarbon molecule. They then modify it to demonstrate the chemical reaction that happens when the hydrocarbon is burned.

Students learn about the factors that drive ocean currents by measuring the density of ocean water and tap water.