National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: Snack Tectonics
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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NASA
Nasa: Slr and Gps (And Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes) [Pdf]
This slideshow explains how satellites are used to measure the movement of tectonic plates.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Gps Measuring Plate Motion [Pdf]
This resource looks at how geologists are able to measure the movement of tectonic plates using satellite-based data and how they were able to surmise in the past that the plates were moving. It also discusses how to read GPS time-series...
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Plates on the Move
Find an interrelated set of tools--maps, animations, diagrams, photographs, and text--to help you understand tectonic plates and how they move.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Madagascar: What Are Tectonic Plates and How Are They Moving?
This lesson teaches students about tectonic plates, plate boundaries, and their role in earthquakes and volcanoes.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Mountains Are Formed
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....
South Carolina Educational Television
Know It All Media: Plate Tectonics: Plate Movements
Animated simulations showing the three types of plate movements: divergent, convergent, and lateral plate boundaries.
Northwestern University
Northwestern University: Measuring Plate Motions [Pdf]
This slideshow gives an advanced-level explanation of how to calculate the distance that tectonic plates move by using Physics formulas and concepts. Includes a discussion of marine magnetic anomalies and how these impact plate movement....
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...
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.
Other
University of Delaware: Plate Tectonics
This site is a very simple overview of plate tectonics. It includes a map of all the major plates and a diagram of the layers of the earth.
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.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Plate Kinematics
For this activity, young scholars will observe and understand the basic kinematics of plate movement, how oceans are formed during continental rifting, and the relationship between plate geometry and tectonic data such as earthquakes,...
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Dynamic Earth: Plates and Boundaries
Interactive website where students can learn about movement of earth's 15 major tectonoic plates and identify types of boundaries. Includes glossary and learning game.
Other
Usra: Lunar and Planetary Institute: Hot Spot Activity [Pdf]
In this lesson, students will measure the distances between Hawaiian islands, and convert and graph their data to determine the speed of the Pacific Plate.
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Plate Tectonics Quiz
The internal and external processes of Earth are related through the movement of Earth's plates, called Plate Tectonics. Find out how much you know about Plate Tectonics by taking this quiz.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Dynamic Planet
Seven hands-on lessons module where students learn about our dynamic planet. These inquiry-based explorations investigate scientific models, earthquakes and seismic waves, Earth's interior, Earth movements, the lithosphere, plate...
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Foldable Fault Blocks [Pdf]
In this lesson, students will create three-dimensional (3-D) blocks out of paper to learn about the types of faulting that occur at the Earth's surface and its interior. Students will manipulate three fault blocks to demonstrate a normal...
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Earthquakes in Indiana [Pdf]
A detailed brochure with lots of information about the earthquakes that occur in Indiana. Discusses plate tectonics, how fault zones developed in the Mississippi River Valley, faults in Indiana, earthquakes that affected Indiana in the...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Earthquake Faultline Earthquake Activities
This outstanding website provides an excellent variety of hands-on earthquake activities to help you understand what causes earthquakes.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Mantle Convection and Earth's Features
A resource to help understand that the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates is caused by convection. The plates' movements cause geologic features on the Earth's surface.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: The San Andreas Fault
A great overall site that tells us about the San Andreas fault, where it is and what kind of movements have occurred. It then goes on to talk about earthquakes in general and their occurrences along fault lines.
NASA
Nasa: Alfred Wegener
An excellent biography of Wegener that includes his breakthrough work and the storm of controversy it created. Finally, Alfred Wegener has gotten the praise and recognition he deserved.