Discovering Plate Boundaries part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Students work collaboratively using data maps to discover plate tectonic boundary processes. Data sets used are earthquakes, volcanos, seafloor age, and topography. Show other versions of this activity Hide The ...

Variable Rivers part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
This activity is designed to be used as an introduction to rivers and river processes. Students will be working in small groups to test an isolated variable in rivers; they will test either the amount of water, ...

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 ...

A Kinesthetic Demonstration for Locating Earthquake Epicenters part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
A kinesthetic activity for students to understand the technique for locating the epicenter of an earthquake. It is performed indoors and outdoors in three lessons.

Geology Map Observations part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Students construct the Earth's tectonic plates using geologic maps. The jigsaw method of collaborative group work is used. Skills such as careful observation, presentation, and synthesis are used to create a ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

Magma Viscosity Demos part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Interactive Lectures:Examples
This is an interactive lecture where students answer questions about demonstrations shown in several movie files. They learn to connect what they have learned about molecules, phases of matter, silicate crystal structures, and igneous rock classification with magma viscosity, and to connect magma viscosity with volcano explosiveness and morphology.

Determining the Geologic History of Rocks from a Gravel Deposit part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Cooperative Learning:Examples
Gravels deposited as a result of continental glaciation are used to teach introductory-level earth-science students the application of the scientific method in a cooperative learning mode which utilizes hands-on, ...

Snack Tectonics part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
Students create a tasty model that illustrates plate tectonic motions. Different materials are used to simulate asthenosphere, ocean lithosphere, and continental lithosphere.

Variable Rivers part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
This is a tabletop river activity. Students work in small groups to test an isolated variable; they will test either amount of water, velocity, or steepness of the riverbed to see how it affects a river's ...

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.

Investigating the Rock Cycle Through Writing and Illustrating part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a quantative writing activity where students will use writing and illustrations to show their knowledge of the basic rock cycle.

Geology of the Grand Canyon: Interpreting its rock layers and formation part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this culminating activity, students will be assessed on what they have learned during the Geology unit of their Earth Science class. After conducting classroom and field studies on geology students will utilize this knowledge to interpret the rock layers and formation of the Grand Canyon. Outside of class students will read/review a website and complete a study guide to be reviewed by the teacher to assess students' learning. Following teacher review of study guides, the next class period(s) will be a discussion and questioning session(s) on the formation of the Grand Canyon.

Rock Cycle Skit part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a skit, commercial or song/rap about the rock cycle

The Waves and Tsunamis Project part of NAGT:Our Resources:Teaching Resources:Teaching Materials Collection
How is a tsunami like a wave on a string? We assemble rubber bands, paper clips and washers into strings with various mass distributions to observe the effects on wave characteristics. The project is supplemented ...

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 ...

Investigating Soil Composition - Soil Soaks Up Water part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom quick lab where students explore sand, soil, and water in relation to absorption and permeability.

Observing,Comparing and Classifying Rocks part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activitiy is a lab experience where students observe, compare and classify rocks. Close examination of a variety of rocks reveals their differences and can also spark questions regarding their origins.