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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: How Mountains Are Formed

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate how mountains are formed. Concepts include the composition and structure of the Earth's tectonic plates and tectonic plate boundaries, with an emphasis on plate convergence as it relates to mountain formation....
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Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: An Introduction to Plate Tectonics

For Students 9th - 10th
The following learning module is an exploration of plate tectonics.
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Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Dynamic Earth Interactives: Plate Tectonics

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Dynamic Earth Interactives: Earth's Structure

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Lesson Plan
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: Snack Tectonics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars create a model using food that simulates the layering and movement of tectonic plates. Overheads are provided that demonstrate different ways to position the graham crackers, frosting, and fruit roll-ups to emulate how the...
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Handout
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Earth Science: Plate Tectonics I: Geologic Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Instructional module focusing on the development of plate tectonic theory. Discussion includes the evidence of Pangaea, and the processes of seafloor topography and seafloor spreading. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and...
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Website
Other

Geological Survey Program: Facts About the New Madrid Seismic Zone

For Students 10th - 12th
It's surprising to find out that the New Madrid Seismic Zone is the most seismically active area in the United States. The facts go into the New Madrid fault very scientifically and are very detailed. Find maps and charts showing...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Dynamic Earth Interactives

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive tutorials on plate tectonics, plates and boundaries, and the Earth's structure convey the dynamism of geologic processes, such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Takes a multidimensional approach to coverage of basic geologic...
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Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Volcanoes: Forecasting Eruptions

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at some of the methods and problems with forecasting volcanic eruptions.
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Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Earth Sciences: Move Mountains

For Students 9th - 10th
Created to teach students of the 21st century, SOPHIA is bringing the science experiements straight to your fingertips. Learn about tectonic plates will Bill Nye as you take part in this interactive lesson and help make learning permanent!
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Online Course
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space 3

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Visit an active volcano site to find out the connection between the movement of the Earth's plates and the processes deep within the Earth's interior. [58:23]
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Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Planet Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
A series of seven instructional, hour-long videos presenting Earth-science topics such as plate tectonics, oceans, climate changes, natural resources, the Sun, and the future of our planet. Closed captioning option provided for each video.
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Activity
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Plate Tectonics and Mid Oceanic Ridges

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent graphics and understandable text about all aspects of plate tectonics including mid-ocean ridges.
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Handout
Nine Planets

The Eight Planets: Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent Eight Planets site that provides a vast amount of information about planet Earth. Very comprehensive and complete site.
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Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Geologic Time

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of geologic time, how scientists use the concept, and how they have determined its span.
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Unit Plan
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Earthquake Faultline Earthquake Activities

For Students 9th - 10th
This outstanding website provides an excellent variety of hands-on earthquake activities to help you understand what causes earthquakes.
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Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Understanding Plate Motions

For Students 9th - 10th
The U.S. Geological Survey provides descriptions and illustrations for the plate boundaries of the Earth's surface.
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Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: How to Build a Model Illustrating Sea Floor Spreading

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a comprehensive website featuring how to build a model that illustrates sea-floor spreading and subduction. It has diagrams and pictures reviewing major geological concepts.
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Professional Doc
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology

Ciese: K 12 Education Curriculum: Online Classroom Projects

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site presents projects for individual classrooms and collaborative projects that can be done with other classes or schools. Most of these are science projects.
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Unit Plan
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology

Ciese Real Time Data Projects: Musical Plates: A Study of Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this project, students use Real-time and volcano data from the Internet to explore the relationship between earthquakes, plate tectonics, and volcanos.
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Unit Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Our Dynamic Planet

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learn about the theory of Plate Tectonics with this site that links to a site to order a CD-ROM that contains tools for learners to investigate the theory. On the CD-ROM is included virtual plate tectonics lecture, animations,...
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Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Plate Tectonics

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore how plates move on the surface of the earth. Change temperature, composition, and thickness of plates. Discover how to create new mountains, volcanoes, or oceans! Java is required.
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Website
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Savage Earth Online

For Students 6th - 8th
PBS produced "Savage Earth," a television series about volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Contains extensive information with great graphics.
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Website
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: San Andreas Fault at Wallace Creek

For Students 9th - 10th
See interactive, 360 degree panoramic photos of the San Andreas Fault. Aerial photos of the fault were taken using a technique called Kite Aerial Photography.