ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning Activity Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Adapted with permission. Have you ever felt an earthquake? What was it like? Where were you? What did you do? More than 143 million people are exposed to potentially damaging shaking in the United States. When an earthquake happens, seismic waves travel outward in all directions. Primary (P) waves travel faster than secondary (S) waves, which do most damage. But electronic information can be sent faster than P and S waves. [Read More]

Shoebox Geologist Activity Source: Adapted with permission by National Park Service. Earth processes such as volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, and glaciers leave behind evidence of their passing in the form of layers known as deposits . By studying deposits of recent geologic events, geologists are able to better understand older deposits and identify the processes that caused them. A fundamental principle of geology is the Law of Superposition, which states that younger layers will be deposited on top of older layers. [Read More]

Simulating a Hurricane to Assess Hazard Risk Activity Source: Earth Science Information Partners. Based on materials from The Concord Consortium at https://learn.concord.org/earth. Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DRL-1812362. Developed by the ESIP Education Committee which promotes the use of Earth science data in education and offers 15 minute “Out2Lunch” webinars (https://wiki.esipfed.org/Education/Out2Lunch) highlighting Earth Science tools and resources for educators. Geoscientists use simulations based on computational models to help them predict the risks and impacts of natural hazards to people and infrastructure. [Read More]

Sinkholes in a Cup Activity Source: Adapted from Project Underground, A Natural Resource Education Guide Background Sinkholes are natural depressions in the land caused when limestone and soils dissolve. They form when groundwater removes rock underground. They can form by slow gradual sinking or by sudden collapse of an underlying hole. Sinkholes are common in about one quarter of the U.S. You can usually identify them as circular or oval low spots in fields that may gather standing water after rains. [Read More]

No Child Left Inside Activity Sky and Cloud Windows Grade Level: K-8 Earth Science and Art Activity Source: The Weather Channel. Adapted with permission. Background Is today sunny or overcast? Is there wind, rain, or snow? No matter where you live, weather shapes your life. What’s happening in the sky can determine how you dress, what you eat, where you spend your time, and when you work—or play. The science of the sky encompasses Earth and space science (from the solar system to the water cycle), physical science (from heat and energy to motion and forces), and science in personal and social perspectives (from the environment to global climate change). [Read More]

Soil Color and Redox Chemistry Activity Source: Soil Science Society of America. Adapted with permission. Are soils like M&Ms™? Yes! Typical soil colors are red, brown, yellow, or black. These colors are often not the color of the minerals in the soil but coatings of iron oxides (Fe203, FeOOH, and so on) or organic matter on particles. The minerals beneath are often quartz or feldspar, which are grey. To see how coating affects soil color, consider red M&Ms™. [Read More]

Soil Glue Activity Source: Soil Science Society of America Background The health of soils is crucial in reducing soil degradation and supporting the systems of the underground life cycle. In healthy soils, sand, silt and clay particles are held together by “soil glues”, or glomalin, a protein produced by fungi. Glomalin sticks to soil particles and holds them together, much like glue, to form stable aggregates (clods). This ability is called aggregate stability. [Read More]

Soil Has a Charge! Activity Source: Soil Science Society of America Grade Levels: 7-10 Background Soils transport water and provide homes for trillions of bacteria and other organisms. Soils also contain solids (sand, silt, clay, organic matter) with pores between them filled with air and water. The soil solids affect the ability of soil to hold and release plant nutrients. Plant nutrients are ions (see Analysis question #2 for examples) which are atoms or molecules with a net electrical charge. [Read More]

Soil Moisture Activity Source: Soil Science Society of America Soil moisture is the water stored in the soil and is affected by precipitation, temperature, soil characteristics, and more. These same factors help determine the type of biome present, and the suitability of land for growing crops. The health of our crops relies upon an adequate supply of moisture and soil nutrients, among other things. As moisture availability declines, the normal function and growth of plants are disrupted, and crop yields are reduced. [Read More]

No Child Left Inside Activity Soil Properties Grade Level: 5-10 Earth and Life Science Activity Source: Adapted with permission from Kristen Lucke, Views of the National Parks, National Park Service. Background “Soil porosity” refers to the amount of pores, or open space, between soil particles. Pore spaces may be formed due to the movement of roots, worms, and insects; expanding gases trapped within these spaces by groundwater; and/or the dissolution of the soil parent material. [Read More]