This informational text introduces students to Mt. Erebus, a volcano located on …
This informational text introduces students to Mt. Erebus, a volcano located on Ross Island, just off the coast of Antarctica. Mt. Erebus is the world's southernmost active volcano. The reading level is at Kindergarten through grade one. This is a PDF containing the informational text and a glossary.
In this hands-on lesson, students measure the effect of distance and inclination …
In this hands-on lesson, students measure the effect of distance and inclination on the amount of heat felt by an object and apply this experiment to building an understanding of seasonality. In Part 1, the students set up two thermometers at different distances from a light bulb and record their temperatures to determine how distance from a heat source affects temperature. In Part 2, students construct a device designed to measure the temperature as a function of viewing angle toward the Sun by placing a thermometer inside a black construction paper sleeve, and placing the device at different angles toward the Sun. They then explain how distance and inclination affect heat and identify situations where these concepts apply, such as the seasons on Earth and the NASA Mercury MESSENGER mission.
Students pick a place of significance to them (their Special Place) for …
Students pick a place of significance to them (their Special Place) for analysis in this semester-long project. (A model is provided by the instructor using a place the students are not likely to have visited.)
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Of all the animals in the oceans, the hammerhead shark may be …
Of all the animals in the oceans, the hammerhead shark may be one of the strangest looking. The exact purpose of the wide, flat head is a mystery, but several theories abound. In this video, we travel to the shark-infested waters of the Galapagos in Ecuador and to a research station in Hawaii to learn about the unusual habits of these sinister-looking sharks. Jonathan swims in schools of hundreds of hammerheads, and yet the sharks ignore him. What are the sharks up to? Please see the accompanying study guide for educational objectives and discussion points.
This activity is about the study of planetary samples. Learners will use …
This activity is about the study of planetary samples. Learners will use samples of crustal material to sort, classify, and make observations about an unknown planet. From their observations, students will interpret the geologic history of their mystery planet and make inferences about past life or the potential for life on the "Mystery" planet. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes and vocabulary.
In this activity, students play the roles of detectives investigating the loss …
In this activity, students play the roles of detectives investigating the loss of a city's water supply by evaporation. They will design an experiment to see whether heat or wind causes the greater loss of water, conduct the experiment, and write a report detailing their findings.
This poster highlights a variety of Earth science careers, featuring short biographies …
This poster highlights a variety of Earth science careers, featuring short biographies from 13 NASA Earth explorers, including scientists, engineers, educators and more. The poster also includes information about NASA's unique perspective on the Earth, one educator's story about how he uses NASA Earth science data and materials in his middle school classroom, and a collection of classroom activity suggestions.
The NAVDAT project is compiling existing age, chemical, and isotopic data from …
The NAVDAT project is compiling existing age, chemical, and isotopic data from Late Cretaceous to Holocene extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks from the western United States, British Columbia, and northern Mexico into a web-accessible electronic database. NAVDAT will be integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) to allow visualization of complex age-compositional patterns in volcanism throughout the study region. The addition of necessary relational and graphical tools will allow users of the database to address a wide variety of issues concerning the geologic evolution and present volcanic state of western North America.
This online directory focuses on national parks throughout the country that offer …
This online directory focuses on national parks throughout the country that offer educational opportunities. Where possible, it includes the following information for each: the type of support offered, including educational materials, access to a naturalist or specialists, and classes/workshops; and mailing address and contact information. In addition, a link to the National Park Service's Web site is included.
Students learn about frequency and period, particularly natural frequency using springs. They …
Students learn about frequency and period, particularly natural frequency using springs. They learn that the natural frequency of a system depends on two things: the stiffness and mass of the system. Students see how the natural frequency of a structure plays a big role in the building surviving an earthquake or high winds.
This online directory of natural history museums and science centers features those …
This online directory of natural history museums and science centers features those that have a live insect exhibit, educational materials or programs related to biodiversity, valuable Internet content, or access to scientists or naturalists. For each resource, contact information, including a link to its Web site, is provided. The list is contains general resources and is also organized by geographic region.
This activity is a mini-research project in which students independently investigate the …
This activity is a mini-research project in which students independently investigate the variety of natural resources mined from the Earth and the broader implications of this mining. Students then give very short presentations of their findings to the class as a whole.
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This is a hands-on lab activity about the composition of salt. Learners …
This is a hands-on lab activity about the composition of salt. Learners will explain the general relationship between an element's Periodic Table Group Number and its tendency to gain or lose electron(s), and explain the difference between molecular compounds and ionic compounds. They will then use household materials to build a model to demonstrate sodium chloride's cubic form and describe the nature of the electrostatic attraction that holds the structure of salt together. Background information, common preconceptions, a glossary and more is included. This activity is part of the Aquarius Hands-on Laboratory Activities.
This map of the Navajo Nation illustrates settlements, landforms, water features, parks, …
This map of the Navajo Nation illustrates settlements, landforms, water features, parks, forests, and neighboring Indian reservations. The map index provides links to additional information about some of these features.
In this video segment adapted from Navajo Technical College, meet two members …
In this video segment adapted from Navajo Technical College, meet two members of the Navajo Nation, one Elder and one scientist, as they share their observations about how precipitation has changed since they were children.
This searchable timeline describes Navajo history from 1200 BC through the year …
This searchable timeline describes Navajo history from 1200 BC through the year 2002. Throughout the timeline, historical events of the Navajo are described and paired with world history. Useful links to topics concerning the Navajo can be found in the later periods within the timeline. Users can search the timeline using a pull-down menu of time periods.
This bibliography, compiled by the Southwest Research and Information Center, contains resources …
This bibliography, compiled by the Southwest Research and Information Center, contains resources related to Navajo uranium issues and communities affected by uranium mining impacts since the mid-1970s. Entries were selected for their relevancy to Navajo community concerns, Navajo Nation policies, and health and environmental effects of uranium development on Navajo lands. Topics for resources include articles, books, policy statements, reports, presentations, testimony, and published medical, scientific and sociological literature.
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