In this multi-step lab, students explore the concepts of seismic wave propagation …
In this multi-step lab, students explore the concepts of seismic wave propagation through materials with different mechanical properties, and examine seismic evidence from a recent earthquake to infer Earth's internal structure and composition. They calculate the diameter of Earth's core by comparing a model to recorded seismic data, then explore mechanical differences between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere, and then examine models of the boundary between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere. This lab is designed to be done with an instructor present to answer questions and guide students to conclusions.
In this unit, students will explore the issue of ocean acidification by …
In this unit, students will explore the issue of ocean acidification by investigating the effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations in air and water, researching the impacts of acidity on living organisms, and developing and revising models of how these components interact. By the end of the unit, models will be used to support student explanations of ocean acidification and to explore and test ideas for decreasing its environmental impact upon Earth's oceans and the organisms that live there. This unit builds toward NGSS PE's: MS-LS2-3 and MS-ESS2-1.
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.
This activity was an educator created resource to accompany the Hominid skull …
This activity was an educator created resource to accompany the Hominid skull set from CSU's Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center. This activity focuses on reassembling broken skull pieces and using clay to fill in the missing pieces then collecting data. The resource can be used with the Hominid Skull Set, The Skull Anatomy Glossary, and the Hominid Evolution Activity from CSU's Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center. See this link for all associated resources: https://www.cns-eoc.colostate.edu/stem-kits/hominid-skull-set/. At the linked site you can also download a rubric for grading this student activity.
This activity was an educator created resource to accompany the Hominid skull …
This activity was an educator created resource to accompany the Hominid skull set from CSU's Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center. The resource can be used with the Hominid Skull Set, The Skull Anatomy Glossary, and the Hominid Evolution Activity from CSU's Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center. See this link for all associated resources: https://www.cns-eoc.colostate.edu/stem-kits/hominid-skull-set/.
Students will use the Hurricane Explorer model to explain and predict how …
Students will use the Hurricane Explorer model to explain and predict how the path and strength of a hurricane can change due to sea surface temperature, surrounding atmospheric pressure systems, and proximity to land. Students also investigate real-world case studies to consider and articulate factors that influence the risk and impact of hurricanes including scientific factors (winds, flooding) and social factors (people and infrastructure) on a local and regional scale. Finally, students will explore the effect of rising global temperatures on hurricanes and be able to answer the guiding question: How will hurricane risks and impacts change over the next 100 years?
Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are used to produce oil and natural …
Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are used to produce oil and natural gas from non-porous rock formations. Use this model to explore how such wells are drilled and fractured to release methane from a layer of shale. Like every energy-extraction process, there is the potential for contamination. Use the model to explore how contamination of aquifers might happen during the hydraulic fracturing process.
The flow or discharge value in a river does not mean much …
The flow or discharge value in a river does not mean much to a lay person or a decision maker because this flow can be insignificant on a big river or can be dangerous on a small creek. Thus, we must know how to translate this flow value into the water depth, velocity, and the corresponding extent to understand its impact. The objective of this unit is to perform hydraulic modeling on a reach of Wabash River near Lafayette, Indiana, to estimate water surface elevation and extent corresponding to a 100 year flow. Students will learn the basics of hydraulic modeling using HEC-RAS to simulate the flow hydraulics using one-dimensional steady state assumption. The outcome will be the inundation extent corresponding to the 100-year event along the reach of the Wabash River near Lafayette, IN. Make sure you have HEC-RAS available on school or personal computers prior to the start of the unit.
This module discusses the hydrologic cycle and its impacts on the planet …
This module discusses the hydrologic cycle and its impacts on the planet Earth. Additionally, the module addresses connections between the hydrologic cycle, climate and the impacts humans have had on the cycle.
Aquatic ecosystems are home to a complex intersection of physical and biological …
Aquatic ecosystems are home to a complex intersection of physical and biological factors and an intersection of natural and anthropogenic factors. In the Chesapeake Bay, low oxygen events have occurred periodically and may be connected with harmful algal blooms, fish kills, heavy flooding/runoff events, and warming temperatures. Careful monitoring of the system by the Chesapeake Bay Program since 1984 allows scientists and policymakers to evaluate the causes of the events and monitor improvements in the health of the ecosystem.
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In this activity, students will make observations about the core that was …
In this activity, students will make observations about the core that was collected on IODP expedition 310.
Provenance: Beverly Owens, Cleveland Early College High School Reuse: This item is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ You may reuse this item for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide attribution and offer any derivative works under a similar license.
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Dinosaur Journey is part of the Mueums of Western Colorado. Dinosaur Journey …
Dinosaur Journey is part of the Mueums of Western Colorado. Dinosaur Journey Curator of Education Stephanie Lukowski talks about the Saber-Tooth Cat found at the La Brea Tar Pits and other predators from the last Ice Age. She explains why we don't always find bones from these animals but have indirect evidence that they were in an area.
Dinosaur Journey is part of the Mueums of Western Colorado. What do …
Dinosaur Journey is part of the Mueums of Western Colorado. What do you think lived in the Grand Valley during the Ice Age? Curator of Education Stephanie Lukowski shows us some Ice Age fossils we have on display at Dinosaur Journey and talks about how these species differ from the fossils found up in the iconic Snowmass dig near Aspen, CO.
This activity is a teacher demonstration of an ice cream model representing …
This activity is a teacher demonstration of an ice cream model representing glacier movement across Minnesota. Teacher/student questions and discussion should be encouraged during the demonstration.
Idaho Springs, CO Mining Town. Western Mining History presents a brief summary …
Idaho Springs, CO Mining Town. Western Mining History presents a brief summary of Colorado's Historical Mining Towns with links to additional Colorado resources for a mining town database and mines by county. Western 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 strong primary source resource that can be used for a variety of class research projects. Consider becoming a member or making a donation to help further the work of the site.
This activity is a geology lab where students learn about fossils found …
This activity is a geology lab where students learn about fossils found in sedimentary rocks and show their understanding by writing a literary nonfiction paper from the perspective of one of those fossils.
Average inquiry level: Guided inquiry Students working in groups will examine and …
Average inquiry level: Guided inquiry Students working in groups will examine and discuss earthquakes, volcanoes, topography, faults, and seafloor ages and use those features to identify the boundaries of tectonic plates and specific features and processes associated with specific types of plate boundaries. This lab is designed for face-to-face instruction.
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Students observe a virtual ocean basin and two adjacent continental margins. From …
Students observe a virtual ocean basin and two adjacent continental margins. From the characteristics of the sea floor and adjacent land, students infer where plate boundaries might be present. They then predict where earthquakes and volcanoes might occur. Finally, they draw their inferred plate boundaries in cross section.
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This is an online activity introducing students to the basic identification and …
This is an online activity introducing students to the basic identification and classification of the textural and compositional characteristics of sedimentary rocks in thin section.
Average inquiry level: Guided inquiry This is an in-person inquiry lab for …
Average inquiry level: Guided inquiry This is an in-person inquiry lab for igneous rocks, but it could be converted to an online lab through use of igneous rock photos available online (see links provided in the Instructor Notes). Students will work with a variety of typical igneous rocks, developing observational skills and learning to categorize and identify igneous rocks based on their compositions and textures. In addition, students will be able to "tell the story" of igneous rocks, using observational skills to understand where on earth and under what circumstances an igneous rock could form.
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