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.

Investigating Three Main Ingredients Needed to Create a Cloud in a Bottle part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a hands on activity for creating and observing a cloud in a bottle.

Earth History: Crayon Rock Cycle part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a classroom activity in which students develop understanding of the rock cycle using wax crayons to model the processes that form the 3 types of rock; sedimentary, igneous & metamorphic.

Watershed: Exploring Run-Off and Infiltration in the Classroom part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom based inquiry activity where students will observe how water changes when it is moved through a variety of different mediums. Eventually, the students will take this model to the larger ideas of watershed in the community.

Mystery Material: Is it a solid or a liquid? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an investigation of a "mystery material" where students have to determine whether the substance is a solid or a liquid. This activity can be done as part of an earth science or chemistry lesson.

Investigating the Rock Cycle: Looking at similarities and differences in rocks in the rock cycle. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a lab inquiry-base lesson on the rock cycle. Students will look at the parts of the rock cycle by examining three rocks. Based on their observations and data they collect they should be able to develop a hypothesis and an experiment to test this hypothesis.

Let's build the Earth!: The structure of the Earth's crust and interior part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a active learning activity where students will observe and represent the layers of the Earth from the core to the lithosphere.

Investigating soil acidity: Comparing pH and buffering capacity of various soils part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity students investigate soil pH differences and buffering capacity as it relates to acid rain, interpret and present their findings, and develop a new, experimental question.

Investigating Erosion part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an indoor lab where students build a model to observe the effects of weathering and erosion.

Investigating Ordering Planets: Math Connections and Number Sense in Science part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This set of activities is designed to help students develop an understanding of scale/distance and ordering the planets from the sun, understanding Earth's position in the solar system, and developing new ways of determining "order."

Combustion/Pollution part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students observe a burning candle and the byproducts given off through the burning process. This observation leads to a discussion to the effects of air pollution on our lives.

Water Quality part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a field investigation in which students test water quality in 2-3 areas using their own testable question.

Identifying the sun as a source of light by observing shadows. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a kindergarten field and classroom investigation where students make observations, collect data and share conclusions that shows they understand that the sun is a source of light.

Moon Phases Box part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an observation opportunity for students to view the phases of the moon and learn that the juxtoposition of the Earth and moon dictates the appearance of the moon in the sky.

Investigating Soil-Which soil help plants grow? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a guided inquiry investigation where students gather data on which soil is the best for growing plants. Student will interpret their data, and develop a conclusion from the data. The student will determine which type of soil they would like to use in the next activity of making their own terrariums. The data collected could lead to further questions, which can be investigated in some extension activities.

Rain Erosion-Does the Rate of Water Effect Erosion? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a guided inquiry investigation where students gather data on rate of water falling on erosion. Student will interpret their data, and develop a conclusion from the data. The data will lead to further questions, which can be developed by the students.

The Moon in Motion: Monitoring the Moon's Phases part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The activity is an observational lesson in the phases of the moon with an attached calendar and video links.

Density Differences part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this lab activity, students determine density differences of water samples with varying temperature and salinity levels. Students synthesize information to predict the effects of oil in given water samples.

Rotation of the Earth part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity will help students understand Earth's rotation and the causes for day and night.

Worm Farming and Composting part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a lab investigation where students design an experiment to create rich soil using organic matter, dirt, newspaper and red worms.