Stream velocity Investigation using Inquiry part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation using science inquiry and problem solving, where small groups of students design their own experiment to determine stream velocity, collect and analyze their data, draw conclusions, and make further inferences based group discussion/collaboration.

Mapping the Glaciers part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This earth systems field lab begins with an in-class guided inquiry experience which uses Minnesota Geological Survey 3-D maps of the upper Midwest to determine where they believe glaciers may have had an influence. They will determine this by looking at landscapes and compiling their own evidence from the maps. They will also offer evidence for a hypothesis they generate which involves the direction that the glacier was traveling. The two-day lesson ends (after student presentations on their findings about glaciers) with a field investigation of one of our parking lot snow banks. Students will compare and contrast what they know about glaciers, with one of our parking lot snow banks, determining any similarities with how the landscape may have appeared during the Pleistocene.

Weather/Water Cycle part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a class activity where students gather information of the water cycle, weather and seasons by doing a lab and game that enforces the concepts of the water cycle.

Determing the health of an acquatic ecosystem by identifying macroinvertebrates part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This lab activity allows students to indetify macroinvertebrates and determine the health of an acquatic ecosystem.

Modeling the Effects of Dam Removal on the Elwha River part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Students are introduced to the social and scientific issues surrounding the removal of the Glines Canyon Dam on the Elwha River, and conduct a hands-on experiment with real-world application to observe the effects ...

Modeling Sea Level: Lateral and Vertical Facies Changes part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Participants will use a tube and bead (or ball) model to visualize and predict how changes in sea level can control the lateral and vertical facies distribution within and adjacent to a marine sedimentary basin. ...

The Quaternary Glacio-Fluvial History of the Upper Midwest Using Anaglyph Stereo Maps part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Students examine the anaglyph stereo map (with red/cyan glasses) and use textures to generate a surficial geology map of the Upper Midwest. They can then interpret the textures in terms of landforms, geomorphic ...

Ice Cream Model -- How Glaciers Formed the Minnesota Landscape part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a teacher demonstration of an ice cream model representing glacier movement across Minnesota. Teacher/student questions and discussion should be encouraged during the demonstration.

Urban Planning 101: Map Appreciation part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
This is a synthesis activity, providing closure to river and/or map units. Students will begin by looking at a series of maps, including 3D maps. They will brainstorm ways the natural world may interact with humans ...

Fire and Ice: Identify and compare volcanic and glacial features on land and seafloor. part of MARGINS Data in the Classroom:MARGINS Mini-Lessons
Bathymetry and topography are used to identify and compare glacial and volcanic features of the Sand Point area, Alaska.

Using Benthic Marcoinvertebrates Captured by Rock Baskets to Determine Biodiversity in a River. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this ecology investigation, students will build and place rock baskets to collect benthic macroinvertebrates in a local waterway. They will observe and identify their macroinvertebrates and use the data to determine the pollution tolerance index for various areas of a river.

Investigating Earth Changes-Looking at Weathering and Erosion part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this classroom activity students will learn about changes that occur in the earth's surface by investigating the process of weathering and erosion. Through interactive lectures and experiments students will understand how weathering and erosion take place and change the earth.

Demonstrating Climate Change and the Water Cycle to Fifth Grade Students part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Demonstration of the greenhouse effect and its role in climate change, discussion of the phases of water and the water cycle, and a hands-on experiment to investigate the role of temperature in phase changes of ...

Watersheds Urban and Rural part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students build a model of a watershed, apply water to the model, and explore what happens when elements of the watershed are changed.

Flow Characteristics of the Crow River part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students make observations, formulate a question, construct and collect data on that question on stream flow on the Crow River in Central Minnesota

Investigating Aquatic Ecosystems: Macroinvertebrates and Water Quality part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation and comparison of three aquatic ecosystems.

Investigation erosion in our world part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students go out to a water source and observe erosion that has taken place.

Erosion in our World part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students observe evidence of erosion and deposition in the schoolyard or designated area.

Investigating Macroinvertebrates: How Clean is Our Lake? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This 3-part lesson begins with a field activity beside a lake or stream where students collect and identify macro invertebrates. During the second and third portions of the lesson, students conduct research to answer questions that they have regarding the macro invertebrates that they have identified and then based on the types of macro invertebrates found make a general determination of the cleanliness of the lake.

High and Low Pressure part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a hands on lesson where students will explore high and low air pressure.