Digital Library for Earth System Education
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HUDF Lithograph: The Hubble Ultra Deep Field Lithograph
Get PDFThis lithograph shows the deepest visible light observation of the early universe. In contrast to the image’s harvest of classic spiral and elliptical galaxies, there are a number of oddball galaxies littering the field. Some look like toothpicks; others like links on a bracelet. A few appear to be interacting. The information contained in the text can be used to introduce the idea that galaxies evolve over time. The accompanying classroom activity is a curriculum support tool designed for use as an introductory inquiry activity. It can be incorporated into a unit that has a scientific inquiry and/or a galaxy evolution theme. During the classroom activity, In Search of...Galaxy Evolution, students use the images on text on this lithograph to generate questions about galaxies. They will conduct research to answer their questions, and analyze galaxies from different eras to determine how they have evolved and changed over time. Students will organize their material and present a report, providing supporting evidence from their research. Educational levels: High school, Informal education, General public
Comment on Groundwater
No full textIt appears that this program operates only in the Macintosh classic environment and is, therefore, unavailable to anyone using the latest Mac operating system. A program such as this is needed and I hope that it will be ported to newer operating systems.
Understanding Sea Level Using Real Data
No full textFive lessons at increasing levels of sophistication incorporate real data from NOAA to help students understand how sea level is measured and monitored. Along the way, they will learn how different factors such as storms affect tide levels and how to measure them. The goal is for students to become experienced with this type of data and the tools for accessing them, so that, by the end of the module, they can continue to explore data sets driven by their own inquiry. Educational levels: Intermediate elementary, Middle school
Elementary GLOBE: Cloud Fun
Get PDFA learning activity for the "Do You Know That Clouds Have Names?" book in the Elementary GLOBE series. Each student will be given the opportunity to create their own cumulus cloud out of white paper and mount it on blue paper. Students will also complete the Cloud Fun Student Activity Sheet that includes a description of the cloud and what the weather was like on the day the cloud was observed. The purpose of the activity is to help students identify cumulus clouds and observe the weather conditions on days that they see cumulus clouds. Students will learn about a cumulus cloud's shape and appearance, how to verbally describe cumulus clouds, and what the weather is generally like when these clouds appear in the sky. Educational levels: Primary elementary, Intermediate elementary
Meteorology: An Educator's Resource for Inquiry-Based Learning for Grades 5-9
No full textThis guide aims to assist educators in instilling interest in learning about meteorology by allowing the learner to take increasing responsibility for his/her learning. It is written as a supplement to existing Earth and space science curricula. The guide is not intended to be a complete course in meteorology; it should be used in conjunction with lectures, discussions, textbooks and other teaching material. The learner should understand "how we arrive at what we know," rather than memorizing what we know. This publication was developed to enhance the understanding of inquiry-based learning from the educator/teacher’s perspective as well as from the learner’s perspective. Educational levels: Middle school, Informal education
Elementary GLOBE: Honing in on Hummingbirds
Get PDFIn this activity, students will record a list of things they already know about hummingbirds and a list of things they would like to learn about hummingbirds. Then they will conduct research to find answers to their questions. Using their new knowledge, each student will make a hummingbird out of art supplies. Finally, using their hummingbirds as props, the students will play charades to test each other in their knowledge of the ruby-throated hummingbirds. The purpose of this activity is to provide students with information on ruby-throated hummingbirds, provide students with the opportunity to conduct research on hummingbirds in topic areas that interest them, and to provide students with opportunities to share their knowledge with other students. By completing this activity, students will gain knowledge about ruby-throated hummingbirds. They will also gain experience researching a topic of their choosing related to hummingbirds and communicating those results in several different formats. Educational levels: Primary elementary, Intermediate elementary
The Sun and Space Weather
No full textThis Web site contains multimedia educational presentations on the Sun and its effects on the Earth. The central part is a presentation on the Sun designed to be given in the classroom (though students could also go through it at a workstation). There are three versions of the presentation: a high school, middle school, and upper elementary school. Each contains between 30-60 slides, many of which contain movies and animations. The goal is to educate, engage, and develop student interest in the Sun and how we study its affects on Earth. There are a number of smaller tutorials on related topics, an interactive poster, a Sun art show, bonus video clips, links, activities and more. Educational levels: Intermediate elementary, Middle school, High school
Comment on Exploring Earthquakes in Space and Time Through the Internet and a Geographic Information System
No full textI would, in using this activity, make sure students are taught about earthquakes first. I think the activity could even be extended further by adding volcanic activity to the equation in "reducing loss of life and damage of property." I have students who are not allowed to access the web and as an alternative I could project the completed GIS map and have them analyze the maps that way. Plus, it would also help those students who are computer illiterate. I have done a similar activity, except we mapped the earthquakes on paper. I used the following site to get the most up-to-date seismic activity: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php.
Elementary GLOBE: Earth System in a Bottle
Get PDFA learning activity for the "All About Earth: Our World on Stage" book in the Elementary GLOBE series. In pairs, students will create experimental conditions in terrariums in order to study what plants need to live. Variables to study include the presence or absence of soil, water, and sunlight. Students will record the growth of radish plants as well as observations of "the water cycle" in their terrariums. At the conclusion of their experiments, students will share their results with the class and discuss how water, Earth materials, and air are all necessary to support living things. The purpose of the activity is to acquaint students with the hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere more closely, to have students use microcosms to study natural phenomena, and to introduce students to the concept of a "fair test" in a scientific investigation. After completing this activity, students will know about the importance of the hydrosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere in supporting the biosphere. They will learn how to set up "fair test", record detailed observations, use drawings as scientific records, make sense of experimental results, and share them publicly. Educational levels: Primary elementary, Intermediate elementary
Elementary GLOBE: Earth System Play
Get PDFThe class will brainstorm, write, create, and produce a play in which they represent how all the Earth systems are interconnected. This play can be based on the Elementary GLOBE book "All About Earth: Our World on Stage" or on other student-generated topics representing interconnections of the Earth systems. The purpose of the play is to serve as a performance assessment providing students with the opportunity to display what they have learned about the Earth as a system in a creative manner. Through this activity, students will demonstrate their knowledge of how the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere and biosphere interact. Educational levels: Primary elementary, Intermediate elementary