Abrupt climate change, greenhouse gases, and the bipolar see-saw part of Teaching Activities
In this activity, students work with paleoclimate proxy data (d18O, CH4, CO2)from the Byrd and GISP2 ice cores. Students prepare a graph of paleoclimate data and use the graph to answer several questions about the ...

Research Paper part of Teaching Activities
This writing assignment was a major part of a class entitled "Stable Isotopes in the Environment" at Iowa State University. The main goals of the assignment were to foster effective scientific writing and ...

Rivers and Flooding Lab part of Teaching Activities
Understand flooding - why it occurs, how to measure the size and frequency of a flood, the relationship between size and flooding, and how human activity can increase the frequency of flooding events.

Temperature data and Climatology part of Teaching Activities
Students learn what climate data is available for their area and how to access and use that data. Students will learn how to read and interpret climatological graphs.

Geologic Mapping Exercise part of Teaching Activities
This exercise is designed to simulate some of the mapping aspects of a basic geological investigation. This mock geological investigation is a good wrap-up exercise because it incorporates a variety of geological ...

Faint Young Sun, Radiocarbon dating part of Teaching Activities
This problem set follows lectures and readings on (1) the Stefan-Boltzmann equation and the greenhouse effect in an n-layer atmosphere and (2) radiometric dating. The goal is for the students to apply equations ...

Observing Streams & Rivers in Google Earth part of Teaching Activities
Students are asked to observe fluvial features on both Earth and Mars in satellite images via Google Earth (as well as online panoramas) and explore processes of erosion and deposition and the relationship of ...

Geochemistry - Soils Analysis part of Teaching Activities
Students conduct a geochemical analysis of a soil. Choice of activity and group-size allows students to play to their strengths. Each group chooses one of the following analyses: conductivity buffer solution, ...

The Four-Winged Dinosaur part of Teaching Activities
This is assignment is completed in two parts: It begins in class with a showing of the Nova documentary "The Four-Winged Dinosaur." It continues as a homework assignment in which students write a short ...

Erosion and deposition in modern and ancient streams part of Teaching Activities
This activity is designed to link how modern day processes are preserved in the rock record. It provides the opportunity to directly compare similar settings. It is an opportunity to practice observation skills and ...