PBS
Pbs: Earth Science Exploration
An earth science collection where students can explore earthquakes, volcanoes, and more natural phenomena. The collection uses videos and interactive activities to investigate our dynamic planet and earth systems.
Other
Bscs: Content Background Earth's Changing Surface
This is written to support and further your content learning about the dynamic nature of Earth's surface. The goal is for you to develop a conceptual understanding of landforms so that you will be able to more effectively teach...
Extreme Science
Extreme Science: A Lesson in Plate Tectonics
With its clickable map, this site provides text and graphics on spreading boundary, converging boundary, subduction zone, transverse boundaries and faults.
Burke Museum
Burke Museum: Earthquake Science
This section of the Burke Museum's online exhibit on earthquakes and natural disasters focuses on the science of earthquakes. Topics that are covered include plate motion, heat, interior of the earth, and more.
University of California
Tectonic Plates
Get an overview of all the tectonic plates that make up the earth's crust. The colorful contrasting and labeled plate boundaries make this an excellent resource.
Scholastic
Scholastic News: Found: A Missing Tectonic Plate
Scientists recently discovered a missing tectonic plate known as the Farallon plate beneath California. This article explains what the Farallon plate is, as well as the significance of its discovery.
University of California
Geo Wiki: Unanswered Questions
Although scientists can neither precisely describe nor fully understand the forces that move tectonic plates, most believe that the relatively shallow forces driving the lithospheric plates are coupled with forces originating much deeper...
National Institute of Educational Technologies and Teacher Training (Spain)
Ministerio De Educacion: Estructura Interna De La Tierra
In addition to exploring the inside of the earth, this unit will explore the consequences on the dynamics of the outer layers; it will deepen the knowledge of plate tectonics and the movement of the plates in the past. It includes 16...
Other
An Introduction to the Abc's of Plate Tectonics
Resource presents the basics of plate tectonics, as well as a summary of the current thinking about plate tectonics and its mechanisms.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Inside the Earth
This is a website to learn not only about the inner and outer core, but also about the crust and the mantle of the interior of the earth.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Making a Ted Ed Lesson: Bringing a Pop Up Book to Life
In 'The Pangaea Pop-up' Lesson, animator Biljana Labovic decided the best way to illustrate moving, shifting tectonic plates was to use a physical object that could also move and shift. Here, Labovic explains how she and her team of...
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Nagt: Geology Map Observations
In jigsaw groups, students construct the Earth's tectonic plates using geologic maps. Skills such as careful observation, presentation, and synthesis are used to create a map that shows the type and location the plates.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Earthquake Formation
Students learn about the structure of the earth and how an earthquake happens. In one activity, students make a model of the earth including all of its layers. In a teacher-led demonstration, students learn about continental drift. In...
Read Works
Read Works: Slow and Steady
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about tectonic plates and how their slow and steady movements have helped to shape the earth. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: High and Dry
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the High Plains aquafer and problems created by the dwindling water supply. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Volcanoes
This interactive from Annenberg Learner asks the question of whether erumptions of volcanoes can be predicted. Review what you already know about volcanoes, and move on to forecasting potential. Several short video clips are included as...
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.
Purdue University
Purdue University: Earth's Interior Structure
Purdue University provides a great lesson plan for learning about the Earth's interior structure. Focuses on the crust, mantle and core. Also includes examples and great charts that students will enjoy looking at.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Earthquake Machine: Basic One Block & Simple Graph Animated
Animation of the single-block "Earthquake Machine" model shows how "Forces, Faults, and Friction" interact. [0:16]
Libre Text
Libre Texts: Geochemistry: The Earth and Its Lithosphere
The Earth has been in a state of continual change since its formation. The major part of this change, involving volcanism and tectonics, has been driven by heat produced from the decay of radioactive elements within the Earth. The other...
Utah State Office of Education
Utah State Office of Education: How Does Earth Impact Other Systems?
Have you ever noticed how some of the continents and land masses of Earth seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle? This unit is designed to help you understand why continent shapes appear that way. In addition you will learn how...
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Move Mountains
This tutorial from Bill Nye uses newspaper to show how tectonic plates can crush together to create mountains.
Science Struck
Science Struck: How Was the Mid Atlantic Ridge Formed?
Learn what the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is, how it was formed in the Triassic Period, the volcanic activity that takes place there, and the benefits and negative impact of this activity.
Curated OER
National Park Service: What on Earth Is Plate Tectonics?
An easy-to-understand explanation of what plate tectonics is. Contains information about the inner parts of the Earth, the difference between the three types of plates, and numerous maps and illustrations.