Earth Science Curricula
Wonderful World of Weather Project
This standards-based Real Time Data Module has been created for use by students in the elementary grades to allow them to investigate weather phenomenon both locally as well as in other places around the world. Because of their ages students will not study complex weather concepts such as forecasting but will instead focus on developing a basic understanding of how weather can be described by measurable quantities, such as temperature, wind and precipitation.
Recommended for Grades K-6
Find Out More...Whichever Way the Wind Blows
In this lesson students will solve the problem: How can we tell which way the wind is blowing? They will design and construct a windsocks to gather data about wind direction.
Recommended for Grades 1-5
Find Out More...Weather Scope
Use hands-on activities and real-time data investigations to study factors that affect weather and climate.
Recommended for Grades 5 - 10
Find Out More...The Global Sun Temperature Project
Join schools from around the world as they try to figure out how proximity to the equator affects average daily temperature and hours of sunlight.
Recommended for Grades 5-8 but all levels may participate
Find Out More...Musical Plates: A Study of Plate Tectonics
Explore the relationship between earthquakes and plate tectonics using real time earthquake data.
Recommended for Grades 6 - 12
Find Out More...Designing an Earthquake-resistant Structure
In this activity students will take part in an engineering design experience that allows them to observe how sudden acceleration as experienced during a seismic event can lead to structural failure and discover what building characteristics most affect stability
Recommended for Grades 6 -12
Find Out More...What Can I Build On?
The ability of buildings to withstand earthquakes is dependent on maintaining structural integrity on the substrate in which the building is constructed. This lesson will challenge students to design and test building design modifications capable of withstanding liquefaction.
Recommended for Grades 6 - 12
Find Out More...The Noon Day Project
This activity is an opportunity for students to see how mathematics and science work together in explaining a real world phenomenon.
Recommended Grade Levels 5-12 but all are invited to participate
Find Out More...Gulf Stream Voyage
Students use real time data in various scientific applications in order to discover the mysteries of the Gulf Stream. Individual lessons may be easily adapted to traditional biology, chemistry and physics classes.
Recommended for Grades 6 through 12
Find Out More...Tsunami Surge Home Page
Students use real-time data sources, simulations, and animations from the internet to help understand what tsunamis are, what causes them, how to predict them, and how communities can protect themselves.
Recommended for Grades 6-12
Find Out More...Catch A Wave Home Page
Use real time data to guide student discovery of the causes and effects of ocean waves and tides.
Recommended for Grades 6-12
Find Out More...Erosion – Can You Fight It?
How much energy is involved with waves and erosion? Can humans stop erosion of the shoreline? Should we? Is it cost effective? Students design a seawall to protect a major costal highway.
Recommended for Grades 6-12
Find Out More...Oceans Connecting a Nation
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Join us in this collaborative project to educate students about the impact humans are having on oceans. Students from around the world will collect water and soil data, and use real-time data from the internet to monitor the presence of nitrogen in fresh, salt, or brackish water samples.
Recommended Grade Levels 8-12 but all are invited to participate.
