NSTA Resources

NSTA Resources Novice EarthScope Consortium is pleased to share a curated list of the free classroom-ready resources we featured at our booth during the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) conference. This collection includes Earth and environmental science activities, interactive tools, classroom visuals, and educator supports designed to help teachers bring real-world geoscience into their curriculum, whether they're introducing foundational concepts or extending student investigations with authentic data and inquiry. Explore the resources below to find materials that fit your grade level, time available, and teaching goals. Each item includes a brief overview and a direct link so you can quickly preview, download, and use it with students.   Keypoints: These resources are: Classroom-ready Student-centered Activity based NGSS aligned FREE Arguing Causes of Faults & Folds—Sponge Fault Model Lesson Novice Fault types and rock deformation.  The faults and folds in rocks provide evidence that the rocks are subjected to compressional, tensional, and/or shear stress. Silly Putty™ allows students to discover that the structure we see in roc... Foam Faults: Construction Video Novice Video lecture shows parts and tools needed to build an effective foam fault model.  Building Shaking —Variations of the BOSS Model Activities Novice The rolling motion of a seismic wave may move at the same frequency of a building. The structure will then sway back and forth during the seismic vibration. A building's architectural design, height (how many stories), and construction materials affe... Earthquake Machine (Activity 1 of 2) Activities Novice The Earthquake Machine is a simple model that helps learners visualize the inputs and outputs of an active fault system that leads to earthquakes. The Earthquake Machine introduces the basics physics of an earthquake. Instructors can use the activity... Modeling Asperities on a Strike-slip Fault with Spaghetti Lesson Novice Squeezing uncooked spaghetti noodles in a wood template set in a bar clamp, effectively models how asperities (stuck patches) on a fault rupture at different times. Pacific Northwest and the Big Squeeze - A ShakeAlert Activity Activities Novice This set of hands-on activities helps students investigate ground deformation and earthquake hazards in the Pacific Northwest using physical models, real-world data, and map analysis. A brief demonstration with a compression spring illustrates how th... Seismic Slinky: Modeling P and S waves Lesson Novice Students will produce P and S waves using a Slinky© to understand how seismic waves transfer energy as they travel through solids. All types of waves transmit energy, including beach waves, sound, light, and more. The velocity difference be... Seismic Slinky: Modeling P and S waves in the classroom Video Novice A video demonstration of how a slinky can be a good model for illustrating P & S seismic waves movement. What's Inside The Earth? An Exploratory Interactive Poster Interactive Novice “What’s Inside the Earth?" is an interactive digital poster designed to engage learners in exploring the vital role seismic waves play in determining the composition and structure of Earth's interior. ... Arguing Causes of Faults & Folds—Sponge Fault Model Fault types and rock deformation.  The faults and folds in rocks provide evidence that the rocks are subjected to compressional, tensional, and/or shear stress. Silly Putty™ allows students to discover that the structure we see in rocks provides evidence for they type of stress that formed. Students apply this idea by examining images of faults and folds experimentation with sponge models. Lesson Novice Building Shaking —Variations of the BOSS Model The rolling motion of a seismic wave may move at the same frequency of a building. The structure will then sway back and forth during the seismic vibration. A building's architectural design, height (how many stories), and construction materials affect resonance, or the seismic oscillation. Buildings engineered with earthquake shaking in mind will withstand resonance and serious damage. Activities Novice Earthquake Machine (Activity 1 of 2) The Earthquake Machine is a simple model that helps learners visualize the inputs and outputs of an active fault system that leads to earthquakes. The Earthquake Machine introduces the basics physics of an earthquake. Instructors can use the activity for exploration or demonstration purposes. Activities Novice Modeling Asperities on a Strike-slip Fault with Spaghetti Squeezing uncooked spaghetti noodles in a wood template set in a bar clamp, effectively models how asperities (stuck patches) on a fault rupture at different times. Lesson Novice Pacific Northwest and the Big Squeeze - A ShakeAlert Activity This set of hands-on activities helps students investigate ground deformation and earthquake hazards in the Pacific Northwest using physical models, real-world data, and map analysis. A brief demonstration with a compression spring illustrates how the subduction of the Juan de Fuca plate beneath the North American plate causes varying motion across the region. In longer activities, students measure compression, analyze GPS vector maps, and identify seismic hazard zones. By interpreting real-world data, students develop a deeper understanding of tectonic forces and connect these concepts to earthquake preparedness strategies. Activities Novice Seismic Slinky: Modeling P and S waves Students will produce P and S waves using a Slinky© to understand how seismic waves transfer energy as they travel through solids. All types of waves transmit energy, including beach waves, sound, light, and more. The velocity difference between the faster compressive P wave and the slower shearing S wave helps seismologists locate an earthquake’s epicenter. Lesson Novice What's Inside The Earth? An Exploratory Interactive Poster “What’s Inside the Earth?" is an interactive digital poster designed to engage learners in exploring the vital role seismic waves play in determining the composition and structure of Earth's interior.  Interactive Novice We encourage the reuse and dissemination of the material on this site as long as attribution is retained. 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