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This activity is designed to teach how tectonic plates move, what some consequences of this motion are, and how magnetic anomalies document the motion at spreading centers do. The activity provides learning objectives, a list of needed materials, key vocabulary words, background information, day-to-day procedures, internet connections, career ideas, integrated subject areas, evaluation tips, extension ideas, and National Science Education Standards connections. (KHR)

This packet contains a unit on teaching about volcanoes. The following question is addressed: How do volcanoes affect human life? The unit covers approximately three weeks of instruction and strives to present volcanoes in an holistic form. The five subject areas of art, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies are integrated into the unit. Students are introduced to volcanoes as geographic features that are able to alter the functions of societies in close proximity to volcanoes. Focus questions include: (1) How may science fiction present volcanoes? (2) What are the layers of the Earth? (3) How do plate tectonics affect volcanic activity? (4) What is the historical significance of the eruption of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Pelee, and Mount Pinatubo? (5) What ate the types of volcanoes? (6) How are lava types different from one volcano to another? (7) How can we model volcanoes before and after eruptions? (8) How are people informed of volcanic eruptions? (9) What role does persuasive speech play in communicating safety issues surrounding volcanic eruptions? (10) Why are people concerned about volcanic eruptions? (11) What effects do volcanoes have on the environment? (12) How can you obtain information concerning professions in the study of volcanoes? and (13) How can volcano information be shared with the general public? (SAH)

This document targets upper elementary and middle school students and provides activities to understand what the ocean floor looks like, the interactions of ocean communities, and the true nature of sharks. The activities are developed at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The twelve activities include: (1) "Ocean Detectives"; (2) "Make a Mountain"; (3) "Ocean Motion"; (4) "Sea Around You"; (5) "Rock Reef Critters"; (6) "Ahoy! It's an Island"; (7) "Take a Dive"; (8) "Shark Parts"; (9) "A Dentist's Dream"; (10) "Smelly? Not!"; (11) "Fishing for Dinner"; and (12) "Shark Folklore." Career information and resources are also included. (YDS)

This curriculum packet was developed and designed to provide environmental education through a series of hands-on activities for the classroom and the outdoor setting of Morrow Mountain State Park, North Carolina to introduce students to the geology of the Uwharrie Mountains. Designed for grades 5 through 7, the packet meets the established curriculum objectives of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Students are exposed to major concepts such as weathering, erosion, rock cycle, rock types, and geologic processes. The packet is divided into nine sections: (1) introduction to the North Carolina State Parks system, Morrow Mountain State Park, and the activity packet; (2) activity summary and correlation chart showing how each activity correlates with Department of Public Instruction objectives; (3) pre-visit activities on sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock formation; (4) on-site activities on rock types and characteristics of the Uwharrie Mountains; (5) post-visit activities to reinforce and review previous lessons; (6) vocabulary; (7) references; (8) an appendix summarizing the Uwharrie Mountains geology; and (9) a scheduling worksheet, permission form, and program evaluation form. All activities include curriculum objectives for each grade level, descriptions of location, group size, estimated time needed, materials needed, major concepts covered, and activity objectives, as well as background information for the educator, instructions, student information sheets, and worksheets. Most activities also include extensions and assessment tools. (PVD)

This document is an interdisciplinary set of materials for grades 4 through 8 that reflects the goals of the National Science Education Standards developed by the National Research Council (NRC). The activities in this packet incorporate a number of related subjects including other sciences, social studies, language arts, and mathematics. Contains a two-sided poster, teaching guide, six lesson plans with timed activities, and an evaluation sheet. Lesson topics include the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere. (DDR)

This curriculum guide was developed for use with public television's Nature series. The materials in the guide are designed to help students actively participate in the study and experience of nature. Students are encouraged to view the programs as a scientist would, observing natural phenomena and drawing conclusions. Each lesson in the Teacher's Resource Guide includes: (1) a "Program Overview" that presents background information and brief synopses of the program to be viewed; (2) "Objectives" that provide the teacher with measurement goals; (3) a "Before Viewing Activity" that familiarizes students with the subject and allows them to set purposes for viewing; (4) "Vocabulary" that features definitions of unfamiliar words used in each program; (5) "Discussion Questions" that help students assess the main points of the program; (6) "Suggested Reading" for students who may want to learn more about the topic; and (7) a "Naturalist's Guide" (student worksheet) to be duplicated and distributed to students. The programs highlighted in this guide focus on the powerful natural forces that change the earth and how these forces affect the vast variety of life forms covering the planet. Program titles include "In the Beginning,""Perpetual Motion,""Heavenly Partners,""Living Dangerously," and "Playing with Fire." (WRM)

This teacher's guide is designed to accompany the PBS television program "NOVA." Six science activities correspond to: (1) "Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude,, which researches and charts the shortest course to circumnavigate the globe; (2) "Chasing El Nino," which formulates a question and designs an experiment to evaluate the accuracy of weather folklore; (3) "Terror in Space," which explores the concept of center of mass and experiments with how altering the location of an object's center of mass can affect its motion; (4) "Special Effects: Titanic and Beyond," which investigates how geometry plays a role in perspective; (5) "Deadly Shadow of Vesuvius," which collects data and create maps to observe the relationship between volcanoes, earthquakes, and lithospheric plates; and (6) "Ice Mummies," which investigates the rate of microbial growth at different temperatures, and analyzes and interprets information in order to locate an archaeological site. All activities include a list of the National Science Education Standards addressed. (YDS)

This teacher's guide and student text present basic information about the causes and effects of earthquakes and tsunamis. The teacher's guide contains suggested activities, materials, and educational objectives for the text. Chapters in both texts are: (1) "Shapes and Movements of the Water"; (2) "Permeability and Buoyancy"; (3) "Life Styles at Different Settings"; (4) "Earthquakes and Tsunamis"; and (5) "Hazards Prevention." (WRM)

Reports on the design of a multi-week cooperative learning activity for an undergraduate introductory volcanology class which culminates in the simulation of a volcanic monitoring crisis. Suggests that this activity creates an effective and exciting learning environment in which students have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts to a more realistic situation than is achieved in conventional classroom exercises. (Author/MM)

Presents a science activity using cubes for constructing the "Olympus Mons" model, the largest known volcano in the solar system. Uses the Catalina Mountains as a real-life comparison and builds a scale-proportionate model. (YDS)

This teacher guide presents a unit on plate tectonics and introduces hands-on activities for students in grades 6-8. In each unit, students act as real scientists and gather evidence by using science process skills such as observing, graphing, analyzing data, designing and making models, visualizing, communicating, theorizing, and drawing conclusions. The units presented in this guide meet the National Science Education Standards as well as state frameworks and district guidelines. There are seven sessions focusing on different concepts in the guide. Sessions include: (1) "Geologic Time and Processes That Form the Earth's Crust"; (2) "Field Work of California"; (3) "Investigating Viscosity and Volcanic Rocks"; (4) "Field Work in Hawaii"; (5) "Field Work in Japan"; (6) "Field Work in Nepal"; and (7) "Field Work in Iceland". (YDS)

Uses a problem-based teaching approach to teach about the geological origins of the Galapagos Islands, colonization, species formation, and threats to biodiversity. Discusses finches, tortoises, and sea cucumbers and provides instructions for student discussions. (YDS)

Explains the use of a constructivist model for engaging students in the curriculum. The student end of the model is characterized by the knowledge, personal experience, degree of motivation, and level of interest that a student brings to a learning situation. (DDR)

This book consists of two complete units on global change. The first unit is created for lower elementary students and the second one is for upper elementary grade levels. The units are designed for gifted students and encourage students to be responsible for their own education. Each unit is based on an interdisciplinary approach. Suggestions for adaptation of the units are also included. (YDS)

Presents a unit on volcanoes for third- and fourth-grade students. Includes demonstrations; video presentations; building a volcano model; and inviting a scientist, preferably a vulcanologist, to share his or her expertise with students. (JRH)

Provides examples of using real time data sources from the Internet and the World Wide Web to enable students to collect the data that leads scientists to scientific paradigms, expand the scope of instruction to regional and global perspectives, and integrate science with other curriculum areas. (DDR)

This publication presents students with facts about geology and several learning activities. Topics covered include rocks and minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, fossils, exploration geology, mining in Minnesota, environmental issues related to mining, mineral uses, mining history, and the geology of Minnesota's state parks. A geologic timetable relates the earth's eras with rocks in Minnesota, events in Minnesota, and characteristic life of the periods. This timetable is accompanied by an activity demonstrating the formation of sedimentary rocks. An article about fossils is accompanied by an activity that allows students to make their own fossils from clay and plaster of Paris. Activities demonstrating drill core sampling and the difficulty of mining through a chocolate chip cookie are related to various articles on mining in Minnesota. A feature about the Hull Rust Mahoning mine in Hibbing, Minnesota, discusses taconite, a low-grade iron ore. This feature includes a sidebar explaining mines and the mining industry in Minnesota. Other activities in this publication consist of word games, quizzes, and mazes. (PVD)

Describes resources for information and activities involving volcanoes. Includes an activity that helps students become familiar with the principal types of volcanoes and explores how the viscosity of magma affects the way a volcano erupts. (MKR)

Presents an integrated math/science activity that shows students the differences among the three types of volcanoes using observation, classification, graphing, sorting, problem solving, measurement, averages, pattern relationships, calculators, computers, and research skills. Includes reproducible student worksheet. Lists 13 teacher resources. (MKR)

Reviews 11 films on volcanic eruptions in the United States. Films are given a one- to five-star rating and the film's year, length, source and price are listed. Top films include "Inside Hawaiian Volcanoes" and "Kilauea: Close up of an Active Volcano." (AIM)

Reviews The Best of BAESI: Earth Science Activities & Recommended Resources from the Bay Area Earth Science Institute. The Best of BAESI is divided into two parts. Part I contains 19 classroom activities on topographic maps, rocks and minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics. Part II describes resources and identifies government agencies and organizations for earth-science teachers. (AIM)

Presents the results of a survey on volcanism completed by secondary students (N=1000) in Northern Italy. Findings indicate that these students, who live in a non-volcanic area, firmly believe that their area is volcanic. (DDR)

Shows how a common demonstration that consists of slowly heating sulfur powder in a test tube to illustrate sulfur's allotropic modifications can convince students of conclusions about the moon Io which they often find surprising. Describes the demonstration in full. (Author/MM)

Presents a unit on volcanoes and experiences with volcanoes that helps students develop geography skills. Focuses on four volcanoes: (1) Rangitoto Island; (2) Lake Pupuke; (3) Mount Smart; and (4) One Tree Hill. Includes an answer sheet and resources to use with the unit. (CMK)

This CD-ROM uses catastrophic events to teach the fundamentals of the earth's dynamism. Topics discussed include earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, plate tectonics, and many subjects that have to do with energy transfer. It contains 63 interactive, inquiry-based activities that closely simulate real life scientific practice. Students work with actual data collected from 45,000 seismological events in order to recognize that science is not a seamless fabric of established facts but a complex network of ideas and processes. Using an electronic notebook, students are able to record their ideas and answer questions. Teachers are also able to track students' progress using the integrated class management module. The teacher guide provides class management hints, goals, assessment criteria, scientific content, references to hands-on activities, and Blackline Masters. A Web-based bulletin board allows teachers to share experiences and activities. (SAH)

Discoveries in science and technology are being made at such a rapid pace that it is often difficult for many teachers to stay abreast of new and relevant information. To assist teachers in keeping their students well informed of new discoveries in science, Discover Magazine developed a 13-part video series entitled "Secrets of Science." In each of these videos, new discoveries have been gradually integrated with existing knowledge of a variety of scientific concepts: VIDEO 1: "From the Beginning" (Program 1: "How Life Began" and "The Evolution of Man"; Program 2: "The Origin of Species" and "A Human Being is Born"); VIDEO 2: "Life's Building Blocks" (Program 1: "Blood and Our Bodies" and "DNA and Diversity"; Program 2: "The Complex Cell" and "Understanding Viruses"); VIDEO 3:"Brain Power" (Program 1: "The Sense of Sight" and "The Human Brain"; Program 2: "Civilization's Progress" and "The Written Word"); VIDEO 4: "The Life Around Us": (Program 1: "The Animal Kingdom" and "The World of Insects"; Program 2: "The Busy Bees" and "A Planet of Plants"); VIDEO 5: "Planet Earth, Our Home" (Program 1: "There's No Place Like Home" and "Polluting Our Atmosphere"; Program 2: "Wasting Our Planet" and "When the Ground Quakes"); VIDEO 6: "Earth's Extremes" (Program 1: "When Lava Flows" and "Glaciers: The Cold Facts"; Program 2: "The Antarctic: A Frozen World" and "The Torrid Tropics"); VIDEO 7: "Our Sea and Sky" (Program 1: "An Ocean Overview" and "Life Beneath the Waves"; Program 2: "Creating our Climate" and "Comets: Spectacles in the Sky"); VIDEO 8: "Into Outer Space" (Program 1: "Space Travel" and "Landing on the Moon"; Program 2: "Exploratory Space Probes" and "Star Bright"); VIDEO 9: "Our Sun and Solar System" (Program 1: "The Four Fundamental Forces" and "Our Solar System"; Program 2: "The Sun: Source of Life" and "What is Light?"); VIDEO 10: "The Mysteries of Motion and Power" (Program 1: "Considering Kinematics" and "Newton's Laws"; Program 2: "Electricity: A Current Affair" and "The Physics of Force"); VIDEO 11: "Exploring Energy" (Program 1: "Elementary Energy" and "Nuclear Energy"; Program 2: "The Combustion Engine" and "Power From Petroleum"); VIDEO 12: "Of Wheels and Wings"; (Program 1: "Rolling on Land" and "Sailing on Water"; Program 2: "Flying Through the Air" and "The Magic of Flight"); VIDEO 13: "Through the Looking Glass" (Program 1:"About Telescopes" and "Focus on Photography" and "Looking Into Deep Space"; Program 2: "On Television" and "Surrounded by Satellites"). (ZWH/WTB)

Presents a lesson on volcanoes that evaluates student knowledge and misconceptions and provides factual information. (YDS)

Argues that K-12 students in the United States will continue to lack essential science knowledge until teachers are more knowledgeable about science, science curricula are restructured, and more varied science books are available. Highlights print and Web resources dealing with earthquakes and volcanoes, the heart, science experiments at home, and the Franklin Institute Science Museum (Philadelphia). (PEN)

Describes a summer program for teachers in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in which teachers share in hands-on activities that demonstrate volcanic processes including volcanic hazards, plate tectonics, and earthquakes. (DDR)

Explains the process of student and teacher collaboration on a project to develop a faster electrolysis mechanism. Provides a good example of the problem-based approach to science instruction and curriculum. (DDR)

Pans of popcorn are popped to varying degrees in order to compare them to the earth's surface with volcanic pressure building up in this demonstration. Volcanic activity is also related to bodily functions to help students make connections. For example, the release of gas through burping after drinking soda pop is related to the release of pressure in a volcano. (PVD)