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]

Ocean Currents Change Our Earth Activity Source: NASA. Adapted with permission. Ocean currents — the continuous, directed movement of ocean water — affect regional climates and alter the biological and chemical characteristics of seawater. Currents can flow for long distances both at and below the ocean’s surface. Wind drives surface currents, whereas density often drives deep ocean currents. Density, a physical property of matter, is mass per volume. Density is not simply weight — it depends on the volume of the sample (the amount of space the sample occupies). [Read More]

Oil Trap Model Activity Source: Geological Society of America. Adapted with permission. Crude oil is a liquid hydrocarbon that is thought to have formed from the accumulation and burial of mostly marine organisms in a low-oxygen environment. This environment prevents decay of the organisms, trapping the organic matter and converting it to hydrocarbons. Because oil is a liquid that is lighter than water, it naturally rises through the pores of rocks in which it forms towards the surface. [Read More]

Painting With Soil Activity Source: Soil Science Society of America, Adapted with permission Soils are one of our most important natural resources — just think of where all the food you eat comes from. They also are important for the beauty the many soil colors add to our landscapes. Most of us overlook this natural beauty because we see it every day. Often these colors blend with vegetation, sky, water, etc. [Read More]

Parks Past, Present, and Future Activity Source: Adapted with permission by National Park Service. Over Earth’s 4.5 billion-year history, tectonic upheavals and colliding plates formed mountain ranges and carved out basins. Forces of erosion and weathering have been at work to break down these landforms. Records of these processes are imprinted on the land and define distinctive landscapes around the United States and in its national parks. The dynamic processes that formed the spectacular landscapes of many national parks remain active today. [Read More]