Soil, Plants, and the Energy Cycle Activity Source: Soil Science Society of America. Adapted with permission. Soils are critical for many aspects of our daily life. They provide food such as grains, vegetables, and animal feed. They provide fiber for clothing, as in cotton, flax-linen, and hemp. And they provide shelter materials like wood and brick. But did you realize that soils also are an important part of the energy cycle? [Read More]

Solar Cell Energy Nationwide Activity Source: Adapted with permission by NASA. MY NASA DATA microsets are created using data from NASA Earth science satellite missions. A microset is a small amount of data extracted from a much larger data file. Data is available on the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, ocean, and land surface. Data and related lessons can be used with existing curriculum to help students practice science inquiry and math or technology skills using real measurements of Earth system variables and processes. [Read More]

Solar Updraft Tower Activity Source: American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Adapted with permission. Electricity is the most common type of energy used around the world to power homes and businesses. Traditionally, electricity is generated in power plants that burn coal or oil. These resources have been used at a rapid rate and also give off greenhouse gases, which have contributed to global climate change. Alternative sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, are renewable energies that do not lead to an increase in greenhouse gases and are therefore more sustainable. [Read More]

Traveling Nitrogen Activity Source: Windows to the Universe. Adapted with permission. Nitrogen is an element that is found both in living things and the nonliving parts of the Earth system. In this classroom activity, students play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and how nitrogen is relevant to living things. For the teacher: To prepare, set up nitrogen reservoir stations around the classroom (or outside). [Read More]

Using Energy Resources Wisely Activity Source: American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Adapted with permission. People depend on their energy resources, so they need to know how to use them wisely. How do you think people can use the energy they rely on to heat their homes more efficiently? Materials Plastic cup, foam cup, and metal soup can, all around the same size Plastic wrap and sheets of paper Masking tape Supply of warm water 3 alcohol thermometers Measuring cup Calculator and notebook Graph paper Watch or clock Procedure Predict which item - plastic cup, metal soup can, or foam cup - will keep water warm the longest. [Read More]

Where Growth Meets Growth Activity Source: DiscoverySchool.com Credit: Susan Hurstcalderone, science and resource teacher, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C. Objective To identify fire risk factors for a property located near a wildland area. Materials copy of Where Growth Meets Growth student handout colored pencils Procedure One of the issues surrounding wildland fires involves areas where uncontrolled urban growth meets uncontrolled vegetative growth. People who live in these areas should take extra precautions to limit the effects of any nearby wildland fire that might occur. [Read More]