Students complete a geologic map of a small area. (Note: this resource …
Students complete a geologic map of a small area.
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In this lab, students work in groups with a simple sandbox (metal …
In this lab, students work in groups with a simple sandbox (metal sheets clamped to an adjustable workbench) to create thrust faults, strike-slip faults, or restraining and releasing bends on strike-slip faults. The sandboxes are designed without colored sand layers or vertical sides; they they show surface deformation rather than cross-sections, but also allow students to re-set the models and run them several times with either the same or different conditions. The models are recorded and shared with the class. Students make geometric models (sketches of the surface, using structural map symbols), guess possible cross-sections, and use the videos to develop kinematic models (sketches with arrows showing movement, and short descriptions of their kinematic observations). After making their observations, students measure properties of their materials, do scaling calculations, and compare their models with real examples of similar settings on Google Earth.
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Students take on the role of geographers and civil engineers and use …
Students take on the role of geographers and civil engineers and use a device enabled with the global positioning system (GPS) to locate geocache locations via a number of waypoints. Teams save their data points, upload them to geographic information systems (GIS) software, such as Google Earth, and create scale drawings of their explorations while solving problems of area, perimeter and rates. The activity is unique in its integration of technology for solving mathematical problems and asks students to relate GPS and GIS to engineering.
Students come to this activity having already familiar with the local bedrock …
Students come to this activity having already familiar with the local bedrock geology, and our local stream (it's discharge history and characteristics of the stream, its drainage basin and floodplain, and high-water events. In class, students are introduced to GIS and ArcView, and then use ArcMap to analyze the stream gradient, stream order, and drainage density of Stony Brook. Then students do the same for several major North American rivers. Finally, they move on to Mars, become familiar with some Martian data sets, and use the same tools to compare characteristics of channel-like features on the surface of Mars, to river systems on Earth. The overall task is to synthesize this information and discuss/give evidence for whether or not Earth-like river processes ever operated on Mars.
Walks the student through the creation of a prediction map using a …
Walks the student through the creation of a prediction map using a very simple (fictitious) spatial planning and analysis scenario. Although the actual prediction "rules" for this scenario are not from a geoscience background, the GIS techniques practiced here can apply to geoscience prediction/analysis scenarios with more complex rules. The exercise mainly deals with vector geoprocessing ("map overlay") operations, such as buffering, union, dissolve, clip, but combines them with spatial joins and spatial queries. The results are presented as a map.
As a result of this lab you should be able to understand …
As a result of this lab you should be able to understand the process of georeferencing and be able to carry it out (part A). You should also be able to make a map of the results and gain a basic understanding of how land use has changed during the time period depicted by the aerial photographs (Parts B and C).
In this exercise students watch a video and then participate in a …
In this exercise students watch a video and then participate in a think-pair-share activity. The activity is designed to stimulate reflection and discussion on the nature of geospatial data. The activity emphasizes the ways in which the digital revolution has transformed the way we think and gather information about spatially located features, and how we navigate to those features.
In this problem set the students use two different equations to calculate …
In this problem set the students use two different equations to calculate a conductive geothermal gradient using a spreadsheet program like Excel. Once they have the geothermal gradient plotted, they are asked to experiment with and comment on the model by changing parameters (e.g. mantle heat flow, thermal conductivity). There is a mix of specific, fill in the blank questions and open-ended questions. This problem set helps develop quantitative problem solving skills using a spreadsheet as a tool, and forces students to think about thermal constraints during igneous and metamorphic processes.
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Get Energized! STEM Kit. The Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center collaborates …
Get Energized! STEM Kit. The Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center collaborates with CSU faculty, National Parks and citizen science programs to translate their current scientific research into unique STEM experiences for students in the form of Educational Kits that can be checked out. Each kit contains just about all of the materials needed (minus common things like water and paper towels) to explore some really interesting scientific research topics.The kits are available for teachers and informal educators in Colorado to check out for a duration of a week by submitting either a local pickup form or a delivery form available at the linked website. This kit is provided free for educational use. This Kit is available in Spanish.
This Western Mining History database uses Mineral Resources Data System to list …
This Western Mining History database uses Mineral Resources Data System to list known Colorado historical mines by county. Each county site has links to the known mines within its borders. Some are known and named, others are unnamed. Mines should be assumed to be on private property unless other research is conducted. Data provided for each mine site include: Name, State, County, Elevation, Primary Mineral Mined, Latitude and Longitude and a link to Google Maps. Photos are provided where available. Additional information for some Mines are satellite photos, and ownership, business and historical records. Mining History is an historical site that provides information on mining, mining towns, the gold and silver rush, and Photos and maps of the western United States. This is a great database for student historical research or data and statistics classes. Consider becoming a member or making a donation to help further the work of the site.
In this activity students practice measuring techniques by measuring different objects and …
In this activity students practice measuring techniques by measuring different objects and distances around the classroom. They practice using different scales of measurement in metric units and estimation.
Students use historical data on the extent of the Grinnell Glacier in …
Students use historical data on the extent of the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park to estimate when the glacier will melt completely.
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The goal of this assignment is for students to recognize that adding …
The goal of this assignment is for students to recognize that adding some randomization and "noise" to a model yields different results each time we run the model, and we can pull some useful statistics from these model results. This introduces the concept of a Monte Carlo method to the students.
Prior to this assignment, students read Chapter 2 (Earth's Climate System Today) …
Prior to this assignment, students read Chapter 2 (Earth's Climate System Today) of W. Ruddiman's Earth's Climate book and online information about the TRMM dataset. In the computer lab, students download the instructions and the pre-processed dataset from course website. The lab assignment consists of GIS raster algebra operations used to generate average precipitation rasters and to calculate anomalies. Throughout the assignment, students are asked to interpret and explain global precipitation patterns.
Students create and modify a STELLA model of the global phosphorus cycle …
Students create and modify a STELLA model of the global phosphorus cycle to test a number of scenarios.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
Students analyze the global temperature record from 1867 to the present. Long-term …
Students analyze the global temperature record from 1867 to the present. Long-term trends and shorter-term fluctuations are both evaluated.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
This is a teaching module, directed to undergraduate students in applied mathematics, …
This is a teaching module, directed to undergraduate students in applied mathematics, that presents a Zonal Energy Balance Model to describe the evolution of the latitudinal distribution of Earth's surface temperature subject to incremental levels of cumulative carbon emissions in the atmosphere. A strategy to avert "dangerous levels" of global warming is imbedded in the model. Students working with the module will write a computer code, using a software such as MATLAB or Mathematica, to obtain numerical solutions of the model and simulate strategies that guarantee controlled levels of global warming.
Going Viral STEM Kit. The Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center collaborates …
Going Viral STEM Kit. The Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center collaborates with CSU faculty, National Parks and citizen science programs to translate their current scientific research into unique STEM experiences for students in the form of Educational Kits that can be checked out. Each kit contains just about all of the materials needed (minus common things like water and paper towels) to explore some really interesting scientific research topics.The kits are available for teachers and informal educators in Colorado to check out for a duration of a week by submitting either a local pickup form or a delivery form available at the linked website. Please use the contact information on the STEM Kit overview page to learn more. https://www.cns-eoc.colostate.edu/stem-kits/ This kit is provided free for educational use. This resource is also available in Spanish in the linked file.
This activity focuses on one of the many free web mapping applications …
This activity focuses on one of the many free web mapping applications available: Google My Maps. Google My Maps allows you to create personalized maps, complete with linked photographs and YouTube videos. However, Google My Maps also includes a series of tools for simple quantitative analysis, for example to find the latitude and longitude of a location or the length and area of a geographic feature (e.g. a stream or a glacier).
Module 3 begins by extending students kindergarten experiences with direct length comparison …
Module 3 begins by extending students kindergarten experiences with direct length comparison to indirect comparison whereby the length of one object is used to compare the lengths of two other objects. Longer than and shorter than are taken to a new level of precision by introducing the idea of a length unit. Students then explore the usefulness of measuring with similar units. The module closes with students representing and interpreting data.
Find the rest of the EngageNY Mathematics resources at https://archive.org/details/engageny-mathematics.
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