NOAA
Satellite Communications
How do satellites communicate? What types of satellites orbit Earth? Discover and mimic the way satellites communicate between two points in a hands-on activity that has pupils using mirrors, flashlights, and marbles.
Curated OER
A Whirlwind Tour
Students explore volcanoes, hurricanes, and tornadoes through the use of the Internet.
Curated OER
Science
Seventh graders study the theory of plate tectonics. In this activity lesson students complete an activity to determine how seafloor spreading and volcanoes contribute to solving the plate tectonics puzzle.
Curated OER
What's The Difference?
Students identify geologic features that are associated with volcanoes. In this volcanic exploration instructional activity students compare and contrast convergent and divergent volcanoes and are able to explain why some erupt more...
Curated OER
What's the Difference?
Students discover how volcanic processes differ at convergent and divergent tectonic plate boundaries. They identify three geologic features that are associated with most volcanoes on Earth.
Curated OER
Igneous Rocks
Second graders examine igneous rocks in this instructional activity. They discuss the rock cycle and how rocks form. They also explore volcanic activities and build their own volcano.
Curated OER
Mount St. Helens Shakes and Burps
Students uncover the nature of volcanoes and locate some of the world's active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes. They also discover how scientists detect, measure, and predict volcanic activity.
Curated OER
Letter to the President
In this letter to the President instructional activity, learners write a letter to the President about earthquakes and volcanoes. Students include 4 bullet points in their letters.
Curated OER
Forces of Change
Second graders discuss various ways in which landforms change over time. They, in groups, research and create a reference book about landform change including tsunamis, earthquakes, weathering, erosion and volcanic eruptions.
Curated OER
Designing the Perfect Science Fair Project Webquest
Sixth graders examine the Scientific Method and define their topic of interest. Students familiarize themselves with how to utilize their resources and create note cards. Students create their written report and display of their...
Curated OER
Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano
Learners construct a volcano using baking soda and vinegar. In this earth science instructional activity, students explain the reaction that takes place when these two chemicals combine together.
Curated OER
Gorillas In The Midst
Students consider the idea of the eco-tour, and examine different aspects of the Mountain Gorilla Project eco-tour in Rwanda. They synthesize their understanding by acting as expert panelists on a morning news show that focuses on the...
Curated OER
Volatile Volcanoes
Students have fun with graphics, graphs and money, simultaneously learning with up-to-the-minute information.
Science Matters
Fault Formations
The San Andreas Fault moves about two inches a year, approximately the same rate fingernails grow—crazy! The third lesson in the series allows for hands-on exploration of various fault formations. Through the use of a Popsicle stick,...
Science Matters
Spaghetti Fault Model
Does increasing the pressure between two moving plates provide a stabilizing force or create more destruction? The hands-on lesson encourages exploration of strike-split fault models. The sixth lesson in a 20-part series asks scholars to...
Science Matters
Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest
Japan is one of only a handful of countries that constructs buildings that are almost earthquake proof. The 13th lesson in the 20-part series challenges scholars to build structures to test against earthquakes. With limited materials and...
Curated OER
I Got a Lava Livin' to Do in Pompeii
Scholars imagine themselves as citizens of Pompeii in 79 AD. First they are assigned a job (or place in society like a child or slave). Then they record their daily activities for the weeks leading up to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in...
Curated OER
Moving the Earth
Fifth graders simulate the three primary types of fault movement lateral fault, reverse fault, and normal fault by positioning their hands and applying pressure to them to observe the similar action taking place in the Earth's crust.
Curated OER
No Magic Borders: Haleakala Style
Students discuss borders and boundaries. They discuss pollution and the fact that boundaries cannot stop pollution and that pollution affects even protected wildlife and plants. They participate in an activity in which they must place...
Curated OER
Volcano Spreadsheet and Graph
Fourth graders find the height of selected volcanoes and convert their measurements to feet. Students interpret information from a graph. They also write math questions that require the use of a class created graph. Students use a...
Curated OER
Ready to Erupt!
Students observe a visual representation of a volcano erupting. They measure and sketch the volcano and discuss how engineers use this information. They discover the type of equipment used to indicate an eruption.
Curated OER
The Dynamic Earth
Students use the Internet to investigate earthquakes and plate tectonics. In this plate tectonics lesson plan, students complete a web quest with multiple links and activity types relating to earthquakes and volcanoes. They connect the...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Are You Prepared?
Pupils research specific natural disasters using the Internet and a collection of books. The natural disasters include; floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, winter stroms, wildfires, thunderstorms, volcanoes, and earthquakes. They...
Curated OER
Personal Written Response Activity
Students complete a final written project. In this personal response lesson, students respond in a creative way to one of the issues presented in the unit. Students may choose to create a series of postcards from a natural disaster,...