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Earth Science Week - American Geological Institute - Grades 0
to 12
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Join in the "Understanding of Climate" during Earth Science Week (held in October, each year). Click on "What's Going On" to find events near you, enter contests, and view other links and materials. Read information about "What is Earth Science Week?," or use the information to "Plan an Event" in your area. Browse and use a vast array of activities and resources in the "For Teachers" section. Find lesson plans and activities for students in all grades. Students at all levels can use the "For Students" section to find resources, events, and career opportunities.
10308
In the Classroom:
Bring Earth Science into your class no matter what subject you teach. Earth Science has broad applications in almost all sciences and many other subject areas as we are connected to the Earth. Use the information, videos, and pictures to create discussions and inquire about topics in your classroom. Many of the activities in "For Teachers" are great for demonstrations and generating interest in phenomenon. For example, use "Sinkholes in a Cup, "to demonstrate how fast removal of groundwater in an area can cause sinkholes. Follow this demonstration with Google Earth reviewed here layers that show this phenomenon in various areas of the world or research of where these have occurred. Find videos, large scale maps, and other resources to share via an interactive whiteboard, wiki, or blog.
Students can create public service announcements about earth science issues to raise awareness and provide learning opportunities to others. |
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| Hurricane Applet - University of Wisconsin Dept of Meteorology - Grades 6
to 12
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Try your hand at simulating hurricane conditions on the oceans using this simple applet developed by the meteorologists at the University of Wisconsin and suggested by a TeachersFirst user. Simple directions explain how to see the changes in water temperature, winds, and more during different seasons as you drag the hurricane into different Atlantic and Gulf locations.
11634
In the Classroom:
Share this applet on a projector or interactive whiteboard and have students change the hurricane, observing what happens. Try simulating the path and behavior of famous hurricanes past to better understand why the effects were so severe. Collect enough data to draw generalizations that students can write into their own multimedia presentations on hurricanes. Perhaps use Glogster EDU, reviewed here, for multimedia online "posters" about hurricanes. Alternatively, assign students pairs to conduct the investigation themselves on laptops or as a homework assignment, and compare the conclusions from different groups. |
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| The Habitable Planet - learner.org - Grades 4
to 12
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View content about the Earth with this free resource. Browse the content by chapters such as "Atmosphere," "Oceans," and "Ecosystems" to name a few. Find segments for each chapter in the online textbook. Be sure to notice the icons where videos, interactive labs, professional development, visuals, and more add to the information. Click below the chapter segments to obtain a pdf version of the online textbook. Looking for particular content or type of activity? View the content instead by type.
11621
In the Classroom:
Use these resources as your textbook or find interesting activities, ideas, and articles that can stimulate thinking and create great discussions in the classroom. The difference between this resource and others? View the resources as a systems approach to understanding the environment versus a series of unconnected ideas and topics. Use this site for review or additional support for students who need it. This site is excellent for enrichment. Include it on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class. |
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| Teaching the Levees - Teachers College Columbia University - Grades 6
to 12
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This site was created as a companion to Spike Lee's documentary "When the Levees Broke" about Hurricane Katrina. However, with the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf, the Louisiana levees were in the news again. The site contains a downloadable curriculum including lessons on the history of New Orleans, discussion of government's role in managing large-scale disasters, and concepts of environmental justice. There are links to other teachers' shared lesson plans, an accounting of the curriculum's relation to national social studies standards, and more information about the Spike Lee film itself.
11469
In the Classroom:
Use the site in conjunction with lessons on the US Gulf coast, or as an example of how we negotiate the government's role and responsibility in helping after a large-scale disaster. The menu includes access to pictures and comments from the general public. You will want to preview this area before sharing it in class. Have cooperative learning groups investigate specific areas of this site and create videos to share with the class using a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here). |
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| TeachersFirst Hurricane Resources - TeachersFirst - Grades 1
to 12
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This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students understand hurricanes and the historic events surrounding major hurricanes. Explore these resources during a unit on weather or disasters and include related projects and classroom activities. Classrooms in hurricane-prone areas may want to stop to observe anniversaries of local hurricane history or even to conduct local history projects in conjunction with some of these starter resources. Turn frightening natural disasters into positive learning using the background on these helpful sites.
10831
In the Classroom:
Use this complete list as a research source for student projects during a unit on weather or choose one or two specific sites to use. These reviews all include ideas for classroom use. |
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| Lesson Plan: Oil Spill Solutions - TryEngineering.org - Grades 8
to 12
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This classroom simulation of an oil spill encourages students to think about how engineers work to find fast but effective solutions to oil spills. There are PDF student handouts.
11342
In the Classroom:
Introduce the concept by talking about current events such as the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Provide students with the student worksheets. Have the students work through the laboratory, and debrief by having students discussion their answers to questions. Have students relate their solutions to attempts to clean up real life oil spills. Create a class wiki to discuss oil spills and clean-up options. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries – check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here. |
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| PWSRCAC - PWSRCAC - Grades 0
to 12
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Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council provides a free curriculum that is geared toward teaching about oil and oil spills. While this curriculum is about Alaska's Exxon Valdez oil spill, the information would be very helpful in teaching about other oil spills in recent news. It would be a great place to help develop lessons where students compare and contrast two spills, their magnitude and their effects on the environment.
11343
In the Classroom:
Use the whole curriculum in environmental science classes or pick and choose pieces that you want to incorporate into your curriculum. Have students research and understand about oil spills in general using this tool, and then have students expand by comparing and contrasting the Exxon spill to the BP spill in 2010. Have students create Venn Diagrams using a tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here) to compare these two spills or other oil spills. |
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| An Oily Problem - CSIRO - Double Helix Club - Grades 5
to 10
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Looking for a good way to explain the Gulf oil spill to your students (or any other oil spill of the past or future)? This is a great lab or classroom activity to demonstrate how emulsions work right in the classroom. Materials list, clear instructions, and variations of the activity are all available at this link.
11312
In the Classroom:
Have students do the basic experiment explained on the website. Then ask how this activity could be related to any possible scientific current events. Have students take pictures of the experiment and compare it to pictures of oil on the surface of the water in the Gulf of Mexico (or other locations). Or, show them some photos before they come to the oil spill conclusion to engage them in the "mystery" of the activity. Have a classroom discussion about how oil on water could be a problem for wildlife and the water environment in general. This could be the beginning of an exciting research lesson and potentially a good classroom debate with more mature students. |
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| Stop Disasters - United Nation/International Strategy for Disaster Reduction - Grades 4
to 12
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Through various scenarios, this interactive teaches students how to build safer villages and cities against disasters. Students will learn how using different building locations and construction materials can make a difference between life and death.
11320
In the Classroom:
This site will fit perfectly into any social studies, history, or current events class. Have students explore this site independently or in small groups. If used independently put the site on a classroom computer and use as a center. Use the information section to discuss important events that are happening right now. Use the videos with an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use the teaching links to improve your knowledge about natural disasters. Have students use the kid friendly links and fact sheets to create a PSA to inform the public how to prepare for a natural disaster. Challenge students to narrate a picture (of a natural disaster) using a tool such as Voicethread reviewed here. This site will work for all learners because they can choose different levels, languages, and map sizes.
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| Prince William Sound: Paradise Lost? - Thinkquest - Grades 6
to 12
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Learn about the impact of oil spills, specifically the Exxon-Valdez spill of year 1989. Use this information to compare the impact of this spill to others past and present. The site provides details about the impact on wildlife and longterm effects of the spill. Great for students working on a research project!
11227
In the Classroom:
Use this site as a springboard for discussions about the environmental impact of oil spills and, in a broader sense, of human activity in general. Have student groups explore various aspects of oil spills and report to the class, perhaps sharing visuals form this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. As a class or in groups, collect oil spill information on a class wiki, GlogsterEDU (reviewed here) or good, old-fashioned bulletin board. |
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| Prince William's Oily Mess: A Tale of Recovery - NOAA - Grades 6
to 12
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"How does an ecosystem recover from a major one-time insult such as an oil spill?" This site provides details about the impact the Exxon-Valdez spill of 1989 on the environment, as well as how the recovery that has occurred in the area. Learn about the impact of oil spills, in general. Use this information to compare the impact of this spill to others past and present.
11228
In the Classroom:
Use this site as a springboard for current events or environmental science discussions about the environmental impact of oil spills and, in a broader sense, of human activity in general. Have student groups explore various aspects of oil spills and report to the class, perhaps sharing visuals form this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. As a class or in groups, collect oil spill information on a class wiki, GlogsterEDU (reviewed here) or good, old-fashioned bulletin board. |
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| Prince William Sound: An Ecosystem in Transition - NOAA - Grades 6
to 12
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Learn about the lasting impact of oil spills and how the environment does and does not recover, specifically from the Exxon-Valdez spill of 1989. Use this information to compare the impact of this spill to others past and present. The site provides details about the impact the spill had on the sound and wildlife, as well as how recovery has progressed over the years.
11229
In the Classroom:
Use this site as a springboard for discussions about the environmental impact of oil spills and, in a broader sense, of human activity in general. Share some of the text portions on a projectir or divide up the site among different student groups. Have student groups explore various aspects of oil spills and report to the class, perhaps sharing visuals from this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Voicethread reviewed here. This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo of the oil spill (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it were a news report. |
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| Oil Spill Lesson Plans and Resources - NOAA - Grades 3
to 12
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Learn about the impact of oil spills. Use these lessons and information to compare the impact of spills past and present. The site provides details about cleaning up oil spills, as well as the science of oil dispersal, how to clean animals, and more.
11230
In the Classroom:
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and classroom activities on this site! Be sure to save this site as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on. Students can select different aspects of oil spill cleanup and mitigation and play the role of experts in a mock blog post playing their role. Have students continue their role play by commenting on each other's posts. |
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| Tracking the Oil Spill in the Gulf - NY Times - Grades 6
to 12
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Follow the footprint of the Gulf Oil Spill 2010 in this interactive map. Use this information to compare the impact of this spill to others past and present. The site provides details about mapping the spill, as well as the geographic range the spill has affected.
11231
In the Classroom:
Use this site as a springboard for discussions about the environmental impact of oil spills and, in a broader sense, of human activity in general. Use the map on the interactive whiteboard or projector to show students the physical location of the spill, as well as where the spill has had an immediate impact. For another view of the map, try this resource which allows you to superimpose the area effected onto your home town. |
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| Oil Spill Crisis Map - - Grades 3
to 12
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Learn about the impact of oil spills, specifically the BP spill of 2010. Use this information to compare the impact of this spill to others past and present. The site provides details about the land, animals and human health that have been negatively affected by the spill - all in map form.
11232
In the Classroom:
Use this site as a springboard for discussions about the environmental impact of oil spills and, in a broader sense, of human activity in general. Have student groups explore various aspects of the map, and report back to the class how the environment, wildlife, and humans in the area were affected. Have students use a tool such as Woices (beta) (reviewed here). This site allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location (on a map) where the story takes place.
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| Ifitwasmyhome - Ifitwasmyhome.com - Grades 3
to 12
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This site hosts an interactive map, along with bountiful information about the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010. The interactive map updates daily during the aftermath of the spill, allowing users to chart the gradual growth of the spill in the Gulf Coast. It also allows users to "move the spill" to their hometown, providing a better perspective of how big the spill actually is. The information on the site is mostly specific to this spill, but there are connections to how wildlife has been affected by this and others like it in the past. Note the links on the bottom that host information about other spills, and the dramatic pictures of the wildlife suffering from the sludge. The images are graphic, so use with caution in an elementary classroom where students are apt to react strongly to images of animals suffering.
11221
In the Classroom:
This site and information it hosts are great at capturing two essential skills in Social Studies. To begin with, it's an excellent map reading source, especially to demonstrate regarding map distortions and how they can change the shape of something like a projected oil spill. It also highlights concerns about deep-sea drilling, a heavily contested topic, particularly after the oil spill of 2010. Both government and earth science classrooms could investigate aspects of drilling as real world topics related to the curriculum.
Introduce the site on the interactive whiteboard before allowing cooperative learning groups to explore, giving the teacher a chance to explain how the map works and what kind of information is on the site. Have cooperative learning groups explore the site and summarize important details, such as how people and wildlife are affected by environmental disasters. This would be a great review activity before a debate on deep-sea drilling. Classes can also chart the growth of the spill for a period of days to trace how much it changes, providing evidence for the debate. Government classes could use this and other references as part of a simulation on how the U.S. government reacts to environmental disasters and discussions of related policy issues. Younger students will need assistance reading some of the text-based material. |
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| Climate 1 Stop - Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology - Grades 9
to 12
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Trying to find good climate information? Not sure how climate is actually different from weather? Use this resource to find information on climate from a variety of sources. Start with a search for information by choosing specific topics, organizations, and formats. Many resources on this site exist for developing countries due to limited resources and a need for knowledge. View topic discussions and news feeds. Registration is not required to use the site, but participating in the discussions and bookmarking resources require registration with an email address.
10621
In the Classroom:
Keep up with news events and information on climate change found around the world. Explore the differences in reporting and discussions from those in different areas. Discuss how information is being used for change and search for more information about certain details or topics. Create ad campaigns and propaganda for or against climate change using the information found from this site. Dissenting voices can create a debate in class using the many resources and information provided. Have your students create an interactive online poster ("glog") using Glogster EDU, reviewed here. |
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| Science and Technology in World War II - National World War II Museum - Grades 6
to 12
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This interactive online exhibit investigates the role of science and technology in Word War II, including everything from meteorology and materials to mathematical applications. Learn how radar, optics, nutrition, communications, and more affected the course of the war. Of course, the science of the atom bomb is featured, as well. Enter the "darkroom" to view artifacts and explanations. Click "Activities" to try a quiz, see the top ten technology achievements of the war, and send a coded message. All the activities within this site feature authentic sound effects, visuals, and newsreel-style video backgrounds. Learn about the importance of the moon in fighting the war, ask an expert a la 1940's radio, and more. Two introductory essays lend a very serious background to the topic and provide a scholarly context for the site. Lesson plans draw specific connections between science and history.
11089
In the Classroom:
Help students see real world applications of science and the relationship of science to history by exploring this site. Assign student groups to investigate one aspect of science/technology and its impact on the war's outcome. Some portions of the site include text explanations, so be sure to partner ESL/ELL students or weak readers with someone who can help. Have students create multimedia presentations using a tool such as Voicethread (reviewed here) or GlogsterEDU (reviewed here) and underscoring the role of that technology. Connect this study to more current technologies and their role in the military or national security. Challenge students to decide: Does science drive history or does the military drive science? Even science teachers can take a moment on D Day or Veterans Day to highlight the role of science in changing the course of history. |
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| SciGirls - Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. - Grades 4
to 10
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Looking for a way to motivate girls to pursue science? This is the spot on the web for you! SciGirls, created by PBS, has all of the archived episodes of this show online. More than this, there are projects that can be done and a place to add your very own project. The format for the projects is set up like a simplified lab report. Very fun! SciGirls is energetic and interesting. There are audio directions as well as onscreen instructions that make navigation through the site very easy!
10922
In the Classroom:
Add this site to your class wiki or website. Assign students to view a specific episode and start an online class discussion. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries – check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here. Encourage students, especially girls to try experiments. Perhaps, have students design their own projects and post their instructions as part of a laboratory activity in class. |
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| 52 Totally Awesome Science Experiments - Phlebotomy Technician Schools - Grades 4
to 12
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Looking for cool science experiments for school or home? Find great ones on this surprising site. Read short descriptions of the resource and find more detailed information by clicking through to the linked site. Some of the experiments include interactives, video clips, and more. Advise students that ads or other links can appear along the bottom and they should not click on these.
10977
In the Classroom:
Find great inspiration for class demonstrations that can also be performed by students in teaching others about concepts. For example, find great ideas for making your own volcano, tsunami, or finding out how much sugar is in a can of soda. Follow up these experiments with discussion of the impact on the lives of students, society or resources. Create awareness campaigns of natural disasters, effects of resources and foods on health, etc. Have cooperative learning groups create an interactive online poster ("glog") using Glogster EDU, reviewed here. |
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