In this lab, students will use data from real corals collected in …
In this lab, students will use data from real corals collected in Sumatra to track the sea-level and earthquake record of the region over the past century.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
In this lab, students will use data from real corals collected in …
In this lab, students will use data from real corals collected in Sumatra to date historical earthquakes and to track the history of uplift and subsidence of the region over the past century.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
This site provides graphs that illustrate gold production for every five years …
This site provides graphs that illustrate gold production for every five years from 1970 to 2004, and gold production by country. Links are also included to quarterly mine gold and silver production data, and yearly and cumulative gold and silver production.
This video segment adapted from Interactive NOVA profiles two scientists who were …
This video segment adapted from Interactive NOVA profiles two scientists who were surprised in 1984 to discover a hole in our atmosphere's ozone layer as big as the United States.
This video segment, adapted from NOVA, explores reasons why Homo sapiens had …
This video segment, adapted from NOVA, explores reasons why Homo sapiens had an advantage over Neanderthals in the pursuit of territory and natural resources.
Students form groups to work on a assigned hotspot chain. Each group …
Students form groups to work on a assigned hotspot chain. Each group gets to study a seamount trail from around the world and needs to present 15 slides that each have 3 main points and one nice graphical illustration or image.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
Jamie A. Russell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Related Links
Relative Dating
Hotspot Theory and Plate Velocities
Mantle Plumes
Samoan Hotspot
View Lesson Plan at ERESE ...
This activity provides the students with a data set of ages of …
This activity provides the students with a data set of ages of some of the Hawaiian Volcanoes and seamounts and how far they are from the active volcanism (considered to be the location of the hotspot). By plotting the data on a graph and fitting the data with a line of best fit, the plate velocity can be estimated by taking the slope of the line.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
Jamie A. Russell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Related Links
Relative Dating
Mantle Plumes
Samoan Hotspot
Final Hotspot Project
View Lesson Plan at ERESE ...
This lesson introduces the theory of mantle plumes and possible ways of …
This lesson introduces the theory of mantle plumes and possible ways of finding evidence to support the theory.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
Jamie A. Russell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Related Links
Relative Dating
Hotspot Theory and Plate Velocities
Samoan Hotspot
Final Hotspot Project
View Lesson Plan at ERESE ...
This lesson discusses the similarities and difference between Samoa and Hawaii. Both …
This lesson discusses the similarities and difference between Samoa and Hawaii. Both Samoa and Hawaii are island chains in the Pacific and thought to be the result of hotspots.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
Jamie A. Russell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Related Links
Relative Dating
Hotspot Theory and Plate Velocities
Mantle Plumes
Final Hotspot Project
View Lesson Plan at ERESE ...
This informational text explores how and why igloos are built and how …
This informational text explores how and why igloos are built and how ice can act as an insulator. The test is at a reading level appropriate for fourth through fifth grades. It is a pdf file that includes only the text and a glossary.
In this classroom activity, young students compare their feet to the foot …
In this classroom activity, young students compare their feet to the foot of a large Apatosaur. The activity opens with background information for teachers about the enormous size range of dinosaurs. After using personal references to describe the size of dinosaurs, students examine the outline of an Apatosaur footprint. Students then estimate how many of their footprints would fit inside the Apatosaur footprint and conduct an experiment to test their estimate.
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students reflect on their personal energy use, make …
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students reflect on their personal energy use, make a bar graph to analyze data from the class, and create a conservation poster for display.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson is suitable to build the capacity of students to understand energy sources and what they can power, to compute and audit their daily energy consumption, to share their energy footprint in group activities, and to raise awareness on energy consumption to a wide audience by creating a conservation poster. This lesson has passed our science review process and is recommended for classroom use.
POSITIVES: -This lesson includes using a spreadsheet to create a bar graph. This may be the first time students learn this skill. -Creating a conservation poster is a great way for students to feel empowered to take immediate climate action.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -This is lesson 2 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Renewable Energy unit. -When you are collecting data for the spreadsheets and graphs, some students may respond that they spent 1,440 minutes using energy (which is the total amount of minutes in a day) due to use of electricity for refrigerators or the heating and cooling of their homes. Although true, having multiple data points of 1,440 minutes is not useful. Have them come up with a lower estimate.
DIFFERENTIATION: -Some students may have difficulty with data entry when adding numbers to their spreadsheet. It may be best to create groups of students so they can check each other's progress to make sure it is correct. -It may be best to allow students to create conservation posters individually or with a partner. -Some students may want to create conservation posters using digital tools like Canva or Adobe Spark.
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students advocate for renewable energy in their schools …
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students advocate for renewable energy in their schools and communities.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces students to understand the importance of renewable energy and how they can advocate for energy and climate justice in their community. All materials embedded in the lesson are thoroughly sourced. Accordingly, this lesson is recommended for classroom use.
POSITIVES: -Students transform into activists in this final lesson in the unit. -Students are able to engage with community stakeholders outside of the classroom.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -This is lesson 6 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Renewable Energy unit. -It may be difficult to figure out how much renewable energy exists in your community or how much of your local electrical grid is powered by renewable energy. Your students could explore this interactive map from the EPA showing all energy infrastructure and resources. -If you or your students do not know how to focus your activism, you can advocate for rooftop solar panels on your school if it makes sense. -Support your students appropriately if they would like to take this project to the next level. Perhaps they could continue their activism before school, at recess, or after school. It may be nice to ask some of your fellow teachers to also support their efforts. -This lesson plan might lead to the founding of a student activism group!
DIFFERENTIATION: -There are many options for differentiation in this unit. Students can work individually or in groups as they design their own activism. -Quieter students may want to write a letter to share their thoughts. -More extroverted students may want to deliver a speech to a school or community leader or sit down with them for a one-on-one discussion.
In this problem-based learning activity, students learn about global precipitation patterns. They …
In this problem-based learning activity, students learn about global precipitation patterns. They assume the role of climatologists and teach a newspaper reporter about the scientific method, explore how rainfall patterns impact society using TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) satellite data, and brainstorm needed weather instruments to be built in the future. The resource includes teacher notes, student worksheet, glossary and an appendix introducing problem-based learning. This resource is the third of the 3-part learning module, Investigating the Climate System:Precipitation.
Students learn about geotechnical engineers and their use of physical properties, such …
Students learn about geotechnical engineers and their use of physical properties, such as soil density, to determine the ability of various soils to offer support to foundations. In an associated activity, students determine the bulk densities of soil samples, and assess their suitability to support foundations.
Students determine the mass and volume of soil samples and calculate the …
Students determine the mass and volume of soil samples and calculate the density of the soils. They use this information to determine the suitability of the soil to support a building foundation.
This video segment adapted from NOVA describes the emergence of life on …
This video segment adapted from NOVA describes the emergence of life on the islands of Hawaii from a barren volcanic platform under the ocean waves to the rich explosion of life that covers the many climate zones of the islands today.
In this video segment adapted from NOVA, dramatic footage of avalanches and …
In this video segment adapted from NOVA, dramatic footage of avalanches and animations of ice crystals illustrate how a layer of weakly-bonded snow can contribute to a devastating avalanche.
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