Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigation of Newtonian Forces on Plate Tectonics
An investigation for students to understand plate tectonics by using models to see how motion and forces act on the plates. Students can use these models to see the connection between Newtonian Laws to Earth materials. Lesson plan...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Earthquakes Living Lab: The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Working in pairs, students think like engineers and connect what they understand about the theory of plate tectonics to the design of structures for earthquake-resistance.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Dynamic Earth Interactives: Plate Tectonics
The resource explores the Earth. There are tutorials on plate tectonics, plates and boundaries, and the Earth's structure. There is also an introduction and an interactive activity to test the students on skills taught.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Ring of Fire 1: What Volcanoes Tell Us About Plate Tectonics
The Ring of Fire is a region of volcanic and earthquake activity that surrounds the Pacific Ocean. In this project you can explore the connection between plate tectonics and volcanic activity by mapping historical data.
US Geological Survey
Us Geological Survey: Ring of Fire & Plate Tectonics
A massive amount of information on the Ring of Fire and plate tectonics. There are links to graphics and text. The volcanoes in the Ring of Fire are discussed in detail by area.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Evolution, Plate Tectonics, and Climate Change Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Summarizes the key points about three theories in Earth Science: the theory of evolution, the theory of plate tectonics, and the theory of climate change due to...
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology
Ciese: Musical Plates: A Study of Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
This activity has students access USGS earthquake information to plot the their locations on a world map. Doing this will help students discover for themselves the boundaries of tectonic plates.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plate Tectonics and Seas of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Era Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Provides a brief overview of plate tectonic activity during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras and the changes in sea level that occurred. Includes some questions to...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science: Earth Science: Theory of Plate Tectonics
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses what a tectonic plate is and how scientists can recognize its edges, how the plates move by convection in the mantle, the three types of plate boundaries...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Plate Tectonics, Hot Spots, and Ring of Fire: World Map
A world map featuring active volcanoes, plate tectonics, hot spots, and ring of fire.
Libre Text
Libre Texts: Understanding Plate Tectonics
Scientists have a fairly good understanding of how the plates of the Earth move and how such movements relate to earthquake activity. Most movement occurs along narrow zones between plates where the results of plate-tectonic forces are...
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Expeditions to the Sea Floor: Plate Tectonics
Interactive site provides information on the Breakup of Pangea, plate boundaries, plate movements as well as a quiz.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Plate Tectonics
This plate tectonic activity is designed to assess the comprehension of concepts related to the physical processes that shape the Earth's surface.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Geo Logic: Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
Using the skills of a paleontologist, learners are asked to match up lecturers with what day and time they teach, and how many students they have based on clues given from several different perspectives. In the second part of the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Uncovering Plate Tectonics
In this investigation, middle schoolers will be given an opportunity to make the connection between plate boundary movement and the topographic features of the earth.
Other
Unavco: Measuring Plate Motion With Gps: Iceland
Students will learn about the architecture that is in place to enable GPS and how to interpret data for a station's position. They will develop a time series plot and use the data to see that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is rifting Iceland....
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Plate Tectonics (Intermediate)
Many activities in this lesson plan to help pupils understand the Theory of Plate Tectonics. Plans can be used in intermediate or middle school levels.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes
This interactive activity produced for Teachers' Domain shows the relationship between tectonic boundaries and the locations of earthquake events and volcanoes around the world.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Musical Plates: A Study of Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
Four part lab activity involves students using real-time data to solve a problem, study the correlation between earthquakes and tectonic plates, and determine whether or not there is a relationship between volcanoes and plate boundaries.
PBS
Pbs: Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker: You Try It
What can a hard-boiled egg tell you about the Earth? Check this site out to learn. Be sure to click on "Plate Tectonics activity" for a graphic representation.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker
This interactive activity adapted from A Science Odyssey Web site helps you visualize different types of plate tectonic activity and shows the impact this activity has on Earth's surface.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Activity: Claim Testing: Geology and the Earth's Formation
An activity where students investigate how scientist study plate tectonics.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Edible Plate Tectonics
As we stand on the top layer of our planet it is a little difficult to get hands-on with plate tectonics. This activity uses layered cake to allow young scholars an up close representation of how major land features have been created.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Tectonic Plates and Plate Boundaries
This interactive activity adapted from NASA features world maps that identify different sections of the Earth's crust called tectonic plates. The locations of different types of plate boundaries are also identified, including convergent,...