Modeling Earthquake Waves Activity Source: American Geophysical Union. Adapted with permission from Investigating Earth Systems , American Geosciences Institute. An earthquake occurs when massive rock layers slide past each other. This motion makes enormous vibrations, which travel from the site of the earthquake in waves. The waves (seismic waves) travel all the way through the Earth. Seismologists can record these waves when they reach Earth’s surface using seismographs. Earthquakes generate three kinds of waves: Compressional waves (P waves) travel the fastest. [Read More]

Modeling Oil and Gas Reservoirs Activity Source: Adapted with permission by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists from AGI’s EarthComm, Earth’s Natural Resources, pp. R65-R66. This activity will help you to understand some of the factors that petroleum geologists need to consider when deciding where to recommend drilling for oil. Since people use petroleum products for energy and as source materials for petrochemicals, it is important as citizen scientists to understand the science and technology behind the search for oil and natural gas. [Read More]

Monitoring Life in the Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem Activity Source: NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program and Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, 2006. Adapted with permission. Background The five national marine sanctuaries along the West Coast monitor the health of the rocky intertidal ecosystem. One way of doing this is to collect data on the relative abundance of the organisms living in that ecosystem. Since this is such a big task, the national marine sanctuaries are training students in how to follow standardized protocols to help with the monitoring. [Read More]

Mud Fossils Activity Source: USGS Learning Web Lesson Plans. Background At the close of the 18th century, the haze of fantasy and mysticism that tended to obscure the true nature of the Earth was being swept away. Careful studies by scientists showed that rocks had diverse origins. Some rock layers, containing clearly identifiable fossil remains of fish and other forms of aquatic animal and plant life, originally formed in the ocean. [Read More]

Mystery Mollusc Activity Source: “Problem- Based Career Activity for the Mystery Mollusc NOAA Explore Poster” Written by Joyce E. Patterson Stark, NOAA Office of Education and Sustainable Development Problem-based learning is an inquiry technique that involves students working cooperatively in groups solving real-world problems. Students learn how to assess what they know, identify what they need to know, gather information and come to a conclusion. The teachers are the coaches or facilitators who give only guidance on how to approach the problem. [Read More]

Natural Gas Formation Activity Source: Adapted by AAPG from the American Geosciences Institute. Adapted with permission. Natural gas, which is mostly methane, is an energy resource used for generating electricity and heating, powering transportation, and manufacturing products. Right now, one-quarter of the world’s energy comes from natural gas. Natural gas formation, one of the processes occurring on our ever-changing Earth, takes a very long time. Natural gas is formed from marine organisms that die, sink to the bottom of the ocean, and get covered with sediments. [Read More]

Nitrogen Connection Activity Source: Adapted with permission by Soil Science Society of America. All biological organisms require certain nutrients to live. Plants require carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from air and water, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, chloride, boron, and molybdenum from soil. Animals require a few others. Conversions and transformations of nutrients in the environment result from chemical reactions, biological activity, or both. [Read More]

Observing Soil Respiration Materials Local soil sample (approximately 2 cups) Disposable plastic water bottle Plastic tubing Small jar or clear container with an opening only slightly wider than the plastic tubing Small cup or 100 mL beaker Graduated cylinder Duct tape (or other waterproof tape) 5 g sugar 105 mL water Bromothymol blue and color change chart Plasticine clay (optional) Object to rest the small jar/container on (optional) Procedure Cut a plastic water bottle about a quarter of the way down. [Read More]

Ocean Acidification Activity Source: Adapted with permission by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The ocean is a “carbon sink,” which means that it removes CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the atmosphere. The ocean currently absorbs about one-third of the CO2 released by the burning of fossil fuels. However, beyond a certain level of atmospheric CO2, the ocean can no longer act as a carbon sink without it having a negative impact on marine life. [Read More]

Ocean Currents Activity Source: Teachervison; Excerpt from Ready-to-Use Earth Astronomical Science Activities for Grades 5-12 Objectives Students will map the patterns of the major ocean currents. Students will learn about the influences of wind, water temperature, landmasses, and water density on currents. Materials Tin pie plates Water Oregano or chili powder (or any herb that floats) Paper or plastic straws Food coloring 150 ml beakers Hot plate (if hot tap water is not available) Table salt Map of the world Reference materials Procedure Point out that ocean currents are driven by the wind and influenced by the landmasses that obstruct the flow of water as well as the density and temperature of the water. [Read More]