American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Chocolate Rock Cycle
Students use chocolate in this activity to model sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, mimicking what happens during transformations in the rock cycle.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Climate and Temperature
In this experiment, students investigate what impact the composition of soil, its water content, and its location have on the soil's temperature, which in turn would have an effect on the rate of decomposition of organic matter in the soil.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Connecting With Nature
This activity is modeled after the popular storybook character of Flat Stanley who traveled the world with real people. Students are asked to take 'Flat Blue,' an image of a blue goose, with them to a natural setting. They explore the...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Cookie Mining
In this mining simulation, students 'purchase' chocolate chip cookies which represent their 'mining property.' They must also buy mining equipment (i.e., toothpicks and paper clips). They 'mine' chocolate chips from their cookies while...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Cupcake Core Sampling
In this activity, students learn about the technique of core sampling of the Earth by investigating the layers in cupcakes that they bake.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Dangerous Atmosphere
For this activity, students research what types of severe weather their county has had over the past 50-60 years. They will look at the severity of these events and the number of injuries and deaths they caused. They will then decide...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Dating Popcorn
In this activity, students use popcorn to simulate the process scientists use to date layers in an ice core.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Deep Sea Drilling
In this activity, students learn about the JOIDES Resolution, an ocean-drilling vessel. They then use string to estimate the length of the ship and compare their estimates to the real length. They look at how deep the ocean water under...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Dig Into Soil
In this activity, students examine soil. They choose a location and describe it. They then dig a hole, measure the depth of the topsoil and subsoil, take samples of each, and describe their composition and characteristics.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Disaster Supplies Kit
Students learn how to create a disaster preparedness kit in this activity.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Earth's Hydrologic Cycle
In this experiment, students create a model of the water cycle and learn about its crucial role in moving water around the Earth.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Earthquake Machine
In this experiment, students create a model of an earthquake machine and test it to observe what would happen to a building during an earthquake. A worksheet is provided for recording observations.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Energy Efficiency
In this simple experiment, students learn about the insulating characteristics of soil and how this relates to energy efficiency.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Exploring Change With Gis
Gives an overview of how Geographic Information Systems technology is used to monitor changes in conditions on the Earth. Provides a link to the website with lessons on using GIS. (Due to site changes, you may need to search for teachers...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Exploring Energy With Gis
For this lesson, students will learn how Geographic Information Systems technology is used to locate energy reserves around the Earth. Provides link to website with lessons on using GIS. (Due to site changes, you may need to search for...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Water: A Never Ending Story
Students carry out a number of activities that demonstrate the concepts of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and soil moisture and runoff. Then students construct a terrarium as a way to observe the water cycle. Immediately...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Gis and Careers
Students learn about GIS technology for solving problems and learn how employers seek workers who know how to make good decisions in a complex world.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Glacier Slide
Students describe how a glacier carves land and label the characteristics formed by the glacier's movement.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Houston Activity: Texas Rocks
Using a geologic time scale and map students investigate the rocks in their area.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: How Can You Test Your Soil?
As a citizen scientist, students use a soil test kit to find out how much of each type of chemical is in the local soil.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Hurricane Tracking
Students track and plot hurricanes paths for study.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Investigating Different Rock Types
In this investigation, students explore the characteristics of various types of rocks.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Investigating Soil
Students chose a spot to investigate the soil on publicly owned land.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Investigating Water Use in Your Home
This investigation will help students understand exactly how much water they use in their home and how to can keep from wasting water.