Making Topographic Maps part of K-8 Geo Teacher Preparation:Workshop 2016:Activities
Caitlin Callahan, Grand Valley State University
In this activity, students learn how to contour topographic data from three-dimensional models that they create for themselves. Students examine how topographic contour lines differ based on different topographic features.

Investigating Stream Energy and Gradient Using Small Stream Tables part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Activities
Beth Dushman, Howard Community College
In this Physical Geology lab activity, students investigate the relationship between stream energy and gradient by changing the gradient of a small stream table and observing changes in stream erosion.

The Desktop Delta part of Sedimentary Geology:Using Physical Models
Dr. Thomas Hickson (University of St. Thomas) and Karen Campbell (National Center for Earth Surface Dynamics) developed a small, two-dimensional deltaic sedimentation model for the Teaching Sedimentary Geology ...

Weathering Experiment part of Introductory Courses:Activities
Pete Stelling, Western Washington University
This project has students dirty several dishes equally and design experiments to determine which analogs of geologic processes are most efficient for removing the baked-on food. Students calculate rates of ...

Transport of heavy metals in the Clark Fork River part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Activities
Kathleen Harper, The University of Montana-Missoula
This is an activity about transport of sediment contaminated by copper, arsenic, and other heavy metals that was deposited into the Clark Fork River channel as the result of historical mining activity. The Clark Fork River between Butte and Milltown, Montana has been the focus of several large superfund projects designed to address the impacts of this legacy of mining in the watershed. This activity is used in an introductory physical geology lab (primarily non-majors) with students who may have limited experience working with quantitative analysis and analyzing graphs.

Teaching geologic time and rates of landscape evolution with dice part of Rates and Time:GSA Activity Posters
Kate Ruhl, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Landscape evolution provides a convenient framework for understanding geologic time and rates because students can observe how processes like erosion and deposition shape their surroundings. In this example, students build 3-D sandbox models based on topographic maps and design and stage a "virtual adventure race." Sandbox landscapes are used to illustrate erosional processes,while local examples are used to discuss landscapes as transient or steady over different time- and length scales. Dice experiments illustrate radioactive decay and the shape of the age equation curve, and 14C dating, geochronology and thermochronology are introduced as "stopwatches" that start when a plant dies, a crystal forms, or a rock nears the surface and cools to a certain temperature. The sandbox model and thermochronometer "stopwatches" are combined to measure erosion rates and rates of landscape change. Ultimately, model rates (cm/hour) calculated from stopwatch times on the order of seconds can be related to geologic rates (km/My) calculated from real million-year-old samples.

Red Beans and Rice: Slope failure experimental modeling part of Geomorphology:Activities
Tom Hickson, University of St. Thomas (MN)
Students replicate a slope failure experiment published in Science (Densmore et al., 1997) using a simple, acrylic slope failure box in an effort to forge a link between autocyclic processes, long-term landscape ...

Hydraulic Geometry in the Greys River Watershed part of Geomorphology:Activities
Ben Crosby, Idaho State University
Following lectures regarding catchment hydrology and fluvial processes, students complete a two day field analysis of a watershed from headwaters to outlet, measuring fluvial parameters such as channel geometry, ...

Build a Delta! part of Geomorphology:Activities
Douglas Clark, Western Washington University
This is a 3-part lab that allows new geomorphology students to experience first-hand the scientific method by investigating the processes and results of river-delta formation.

Flume Hydraulics and Sediment Transport Lab part of Geomorphology:Activities
Leonard Sklar, San Francisco State University
This exercise is intended to help link the observations of water and sediment motion that student made in the laboratory flume with the theory discussed in lecture.