Welcome to Earth Science Week 2018—Earth as Inspiration

Each year the American Geosciences Institute celebrates Earth Science Week with our members and partners to acknowledge and understand Earth and our relationship with the planet through programs, information and learning resources. This year Earth Science Week is Oct. 14 – 20.

The teaching and learning resources you will find on this page have been developed by AGI and our members and partners to help educators teach about our planet and its systems. Some resources are specific to exploring this year’s theme—Earth as Inspiration—while others include teacher professional development opportunities and information about online resources and geoscience careers. Many of these you may also find in the printed toolkit, which you can order here.

Please enjoy the materials you find on this site and send any feedback to Adam Blankenbicker (rab@americangeosciences.org).

Happy Earth Science Week!

Earth Science Week Activity Calendar - 2017-2018 - Earth and Human Activity
Description: This is the official Earth Science Week activity calendar for Earth and Human Activity, for the calendar school year 2017-2018. With each month you will find a new activity from one of Earth Science Week's partners.
Organization: American Geosciences Institute
Description: This is the official Earth Science Week activity calendar for Earth and Human Activity, for the calendar school year 2017-2018. With each month you will find a new activity from one of Earth Science Week's partners.
Organization: American Geosciences Institute
Type of Resource: Other
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Yes
Earth Science Week Activity Calendar - Our Shared Geoheritage - 2016-2017
Description: This is the official Earth Science Week activity calendar for Our Shared Geoheritage, for the calendar school year 2016-2017. With each month you will find a new activity from one of Earth Science Week's partners.
Organization: American Geosciences Institute
Description: This is the official Earth Science Week activity calendar for Our Shared Geoheritage, for the calendar school year 2016-2017. With each month you will find a new activity from one of Earth Science Week's partners.
Organization: American Geosciences Institute
Type of Resource: Other
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Yes
Climate Change is in the Air
Description: This poster describes how climate change affects national parks across the country, as well as the science behind climate change. Included in the poster is a hands-on activity describing creating carbon dioxide from baking soda and vinegar.
Organization: U.S. National Park Service
Description: This poster describes how climate change affects national parks across the country, as well as the science behind climate change. Included in the poster is a hands-on activity describing creating carbon dioxide from baking soda and vinegar.
Organization: U.S. National Park Service
Type of Resource: Poster - with activity
Activity Elements: Physical lab
Activity Resources: Lab supplies
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Yes
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
  • ESS 2 - Earth's systems
  • ESS 3 - Earth and human activity
Earth's System: ESS2.D - Weather and climate
Earth and Human Activity: ESS3.C - Human impacts on Earth systems
Science and Engineering: Developing and using models
AGI Earth Science Week Poster - 2016 - Our Shared Geoheritage
Description: Learn about Earth Science Week and this year's theme--Our Shared Geoheritage. In the activity in this poster, students learn what geoheritage is, and and will identify aspects of geoheritage. They will then create a map showing the geoheritage of a local special place.
Organization: American Geosciences Institute
Description: Learn about Earth Science Week and this year's theme--Our Shared Geoheritage. In the activity in this poster, students learn what geoheritage is, and and will identify aspects of geoheritage. They will then create a map showing the geoheritage of a local special place.
Organization: American Geosciences Institute
Type of Resource: Poster - with activity
Activity Elements: Research and Presentation
Activity Resources: Art supplies
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Yes
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
  • ESS 1 - Earth's place in the universe
  • ESS 3 - Earth and human activity
Earth's Place: ESS1.C - The history of planet Earth
Earth and Human Activity: ESS3.C - Human impacts on Earth systems
Change Over Time
Description: Learn about Earth Science Week and this year's theme--Our Shared Geoheritage. This file contains a poster; information about remote sensing and geoheritage; and an online-based activity where learners will identify and describe land cover changes via remote sensing technology.
Organization: AmericaView
Description: Learn about Earth Science Week and this year's theme--Our Shared Geoheritage. This file contains a poster; information about remote sensing and geoheritage; and an online-based activity where learners will identify and describe land cover changes via remote sensing technology.
Organization: AmericaView
Type of Resource: Poster - with activity
Activity Elements: Online Experience
Activity Resources:
  • Computer
  • Internet
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Don't Know
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
  • ESS 2 - Earth's systems
  • ESS 3 - Earth and human activity
Earth's System:
  • ESS2.B - Plate tectonics and large-scale system interactions
  • ESS2.C - The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
  • ESS2.D - Weather and climate
Earth and Human Activity: ESS3.C - Human impacts on Earth systems
Science and Engineering:
  • Analyzing and interpreting data
  • Engaging in argument from evidence
Water Footprint Calculator
Description: Use this online calculator to discover how much water you really use and learn ways you can lessen your impact on the environment.
Organization: GRACE Communications Foundation
Description: Use this online calculator to discover how much water you really use and learn ways you can lessen your impact on the environment.
Organization: GRACE Communications Foundation
Type of Resource: Information about online resources
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Don't Know
Original Source
Designing Fish-Friendly Culverts (and Bridges)
Description: In this activity students will understand the challenges that fish face when they encounter man-made structures in their habitats. Students will apply new knowledge about fish and streams to design an improved structure that works well for both fish and humans, and the dynamics of the stream.
Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Description: In this activity students will understand the challenges that fish face when they encounter man-made structures in their habitats. Students will apply new knowledge about fish and streams to design an improved structure that works well for both fish and humans, and the dynamics of the stream.
Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Type of Resource: Classroom activity
Activity Elements:
  • Physical lab
  • Research and Presentation
Activity Resources:
  • Computer
  • Internet
  • Art supplies
  • Lab supplies
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Don't Know
Disciplinary Core Ideas: ESS 3 - Earth and human activity
Earth and Human Activity: ESS3.C - Human impacts on Earth systems
Science and Engineering:
  • Asking questions and defining problems
  • Developing and using models
  • Analyzing and interpreting data
  • Constructing explanations and designing solutions
  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Dinosaurs Coloring Poster
Description: This is a 1-page activity for children to color various dinosaurs that lived on what is now land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, part of the US Department of the Interior.
Organization: Bureau of Land Management
Description: This is a 1-page activity for children to color various dinosaurs that lived on what is now land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, part of the US Department of the Interior.
Organization: Bureau of Land Management
Type of Resource: Classroom activity
Activity Elements: Other
Activity Resources: Art supplies
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: Yes
Geophysical Information For Teachers Workshop
Description: Information about the workshop help at AGU's annual meeting. In 2018 the workshop will take place in Washington, DC in December.
Organization: American Geophysical Union
Description: Information about the workshop help at AGU's annual meeting. In 2018 the workshop will take place in Washington, DC in December.
Organization: American Geophysical Union
Type of Resource: Teacher Professional Development
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: No
Gold Activities
Description: A set of 5 activities related to gold and and its properties. Activities include measuring density and hardness; locating certain metals in items you use every day; and a board game.
Organization: Geological Society of America
Description: A set of 5 activities related to gold and and its properties. Activities include measuring density and hardness; locating certain metals in items you use every day; and a board game.
Organization: Geological Society of America
Type of Resource: Classroom activity
Activity Elements:
  • Physical lab
  • Research and Presentation
Activity Resources:
  • Lab supplies
  • Other
Language(s): English
Present in Physical Kit: No
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
  • ESS 2 - Earth's systems
  • ESS 3 - Earth and human activity
Earth's System: ESS2.A - Earth materials and systems
Earth and Human Activity: ESS3.A - Natural resources
Science and Engineering: Asking questions and defining problems

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