Curated OER
Pollen Tracks
Pupils participate in an artificial dig investigating imitiation rock samples that contain "pollen" from ancient plants. Students determine which plants the pollen samples came from.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Rocks and Landforms
Eight hands-on lessons module where students learn about rocks and landforms. These inquiry-based investigations explore the different types of rocks, how they are formed, the different types of landforms, and the effects of glaciers on...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Minnesota Rocks: The Properties of North Shore Rocks
Students will investigate rocks from the North Shore of Minnesota. Students will begin by forming questions that they have about the rocks. They will use observation skills to identify attributes of the rocks. The students will use...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Our Surroundings: Observing the Outdoors
Students will observe, describe, measure, compare, and contrast leaves, rocks, grass, and soil using observation and tools.
Language Guide
Language Guide: El Aire Libre
Learn to identify things you would see or use in the outdoors or open air when you are hiking or camping. Interactive illustrations model correct pronunciation of vocabulary when the mouse is moved over each picture.
James Madison University
James Madison University: Clastic Sedimentary Rock Classification
An upper-level explanation of clastic sedimentary rock classification. Charts, diagrams, and review questions are included. Be sure to click on the PDF Clastic Identification key.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Fossils, Rocks, and Time
Publication delves into the importance of studying the Earth's history and how we go about doing it. View pictures and diagrams showing the geological time scale and fossil succession.
Children's Museum
Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Geo Mysteries
This interactive site will engage students' curiosity as they learn about the various types of rocks and how they are formed. Also includes a fantastic timeline, showing the formation of rocks throughout history.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Rocks and Minerals
Essential guide to geology of the National Parks focuses on minerals and the different types of rocks. Includes a visual glossary.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Department of Mineral Sciences
Useful interface and gateway into the research collections of the Department of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Find information, image galleries, exhibits, specimens, and related resources about...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Rocks
In this interactive tutorial you'll learn about rocks and the rock cycle. You'll be introduced to the three different rock types and what makes them what they are. You'll also learn about how the matter that makes up these rocks is...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Materials and Minerals
Seven hands-on lessons module that allows students to learn about materials and minerals. These inquiry-based explorations investigate properties of materials, where mineral deposits can be found, how deposits are formed, how minerals...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Engineering for the 3 Little Pigs
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate the importance of rocks, soils and minerals in engineering and how using the right material for the right job is important. The students build three different sand castles and test them for...
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey reports on the latest news affecting the earth today, as well as providing a wealth of data, reports, and information.
Other
New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources: Lite Geology
Lite Geology is a publication for teachers that is available intermittently and can be freely downloaded. Previous issues going back to 1992 are also posted. Lots of information about geology, particularly in New Mexico, along with...
Other
Canadian Centre for Energy Information: Earth Really Rocks [Pdf]
Earth Really Rocks is a teaching unit for Grades K-3. It approaches the study of rocks from an energy perspective, looking at how gas and oil are formed underground, as well as at sedimentary rocks and the structure of the Earth's crust....
Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Birthstone Collections
This birthstone resource presents a brief description of each birthstone, a link to more information and a photomicrograph of the gem.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Mineral Magic
Classify rocks and minerals according to their characteristics.
Utah State Office of Education
Utah Science: Rocks & Minerals
A unit on rocks and minerals presented with interactive and classroom activities. Gain understanding of rocks, weather, erosion, earthquakes, and relative dating with this resource.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Photomicrographs: The Moon Rock Collection
A small sample of some of the 3000 photomicrographs of rocks returned to Earth by the Apollo astronauts. Click on the "Primer" page to see how the photos are made and what the different colors mean.
Idaho State University
Idaho State University: Environmental Geology: Earth Material and Earth Cycles
Help students to understand the Geologic Cycle, Hydrologic Cycle, Physical Properties of Rocks and Surficial Processes with this learning module. Find lessons covering each topic.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Science: Iceland: What Are Rocks?
Agneta lives in Iceland and loves rocks. Help her learn more about rocks and things rocks are used for.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Geology of the Credit River at Hidden Valley Park
In this earth science activity, learners investigate the characteristics of the Credit River in an interdisciplinary inquiry based investigation. They will determine the speed the water moves, identify rocks and sediments in the river...