A Bit of Engineering Activity Source: Adapted with permission by JOI Learning. Background Courtesy Earth Science World Image Bank; Copyright © Noblecorp The JOIDES Resolution is an amazing ship that contains all the equipment necessary to drill into the ocean floor for samples of rock and sediment: a derrick, drill pipe, drilling tools, and drill bits. Once the cylindrical core sample arrives on the rig floor, the drill crew passes the 10 m core to technicians. [Read More]

Cores for Kids Activity Source: International Ocean Discovery Program Background The JOIDES Resolution is a ship that operates on behalf of the International Ocean Discovery Program and is one of a handful of vessels designed specifically to drill into the ocean floor for scientific research. The cylinders of sediment and rock that are recovered from the ocean floor — ​called “cores” — ​can be considered time machines, revealing secrets from Earth’s past about geology, climate change, and the origins and extremes of life. [Read More]

Digging Into Soil Activity Source: American Geophysical Union. Adapted with permission from “Soils Sustain Life,” AGI. Materials Piece of heavy duty PVC pipe about one inch in diameter and 10 inches long Piece of wood doweling that will fit inside the PVC pipe Hammer Wood block Leather garden glove Hand lens or microscope Non-toxic marker Large sheet of white posterboard Six clear plastic sandwich bags Plastic knife Tools for separating soil, such as tweezers, tongue depressor, drinking straw Paper towels (for clean up) Procedure 1. [Read More]