662 earth-science-geology results | sort by:
Making and Breaking: The Rock Cycle - TeachEngineering Digital Library
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): rock cycle (24), rocks (43)
In the Classroom
Have students act out the journey of a rock through the rock cycle. Each student can become a sediment, magma, or metamorphic rock and move through "stations" that represent processes like melting, cooling, weathering, and pressure. Challenge students to participate in an engineering activity where they design a system (using basic materials like sifters, magnets, and tweezers) to sort rocks based on observable properties, such as grain size, color, or hardness, similar to how geologists classify rock samples. Have students create a comic strip or storyboard using Write Comics reviewed here that follows a rock character through the stages of the rock cycle, using scientific vocabulary and a clear visual representation of processes like erosion, heat/pressure, and crystallization.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Laying out the Rock Cycle:Product and Process - Earth Learning Idea
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): environment (250), rock cycle (24)
In the Classroom
Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to research where the rocks can be found today. Students can use Google Drawing, reviewed here to compare and contrast different types of rocks. Finally, students can create their own weathering process and use Seesaw reviewed here as a journal to track the process of weathering in the rock(s).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Science - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): cells (85), chemicals (40), ecosystems (90), habitats (100), life cycles (22), matter (47), measurement (124), space (229)
In the Classroom
Assign each student a specific cell organelle to research. Students then participate in a "speed dating" activity where they pair up and share information about their assigned organelle, focusing on its structure and function. Encourage students to plan and conduct simple experiments related to life science topics, such as photosynthesis or respiration. Using the scientific method, students can formulate hypotheses, collect data, and draw conclusions. Have students use the digital tools to explore the process of meiosis. Students can engage with interactive simulations that illustrate each phase of meiosis, allowing them to visualize chromosome behavior and understand genetic variation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Geology - Science Learning Hub
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): plate tectonics (28), rock cycle (24), volcanoes (59)
In the Classroom
Have students play the "Magma Pop" interactive game to visualize how different types of volcanic eruptions form based on the properties of magma. After reading the Rock Cycle resource, students can illustrate a comic strip following a rock through its transformation from one type to another (ex., igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic). Students can make the comic strip digitally using ToonyTool reviewed here or Free Comic Strip Maker reviewed here. Use a Slinky or rope to demonstrate P-waves and S-waves. Pair with video or image resources from the site to show real-world seismic activity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Earth's Systems - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
K to 12tag(s): atmosphere (22), climate (89), earth (181), plate tectonics (28), rock cycle (24), visualizations (10), volcanoes (59), weather (163)
In the Classroom
Have students explore the interactive "Earth's Four Spheres" to learn about the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Watch the video and have students write cause-and-effect chains showing how volcanic eruptions impact each Earth system. They can use Canva Infographic Creator, < a href="/single.cfm?id=17570">reviewed here to create a digital version. Students can get cards with different events or images (e.g., hurricane, soil erosion, animal migration) and sort them into categories: geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, or a combination.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Geology and Geomorphology - Digital Atlas Project
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): earthquakes (49), landforms (38), plate tectonics (28), volcanoes (59)
In the Classroom
Assign students to explore the Digital Atlas and search for specific landforms (ex., volcano, fault line, mountain range). Have them record the location, describe how the landform was created, and share one interesting fact. Using the tectonic plate maps, have students identify major plates and label the continents, boundaries (convergent, divergent, and transform), and associated features, such as the Ring of Fire. Follow this activity with a discussion on how plate movement causes earthquakes and volcanoes. Students create an illustrated flipbook using AnyFlip, reviewed here that shows the step-by-step formation of a geologic feature (ex., mountain, canyon, volcano), using descriptions and diagrams from the site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Educational Resources: Earth and Environment - U.S. National Science Foundation
Grades
K to 12tag(s): climate (89), coral (12), environment (250), gravity (45), plate tectonics (28), water cycle (23), weather (163)
In the Classroom
Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast water and land. Students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to illustrate the water cycle. Finally, students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to travel the world to visit different lands and find their climate.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
The Environmental Movement and the First Earth Day - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): earth day (61), environment (250), pollution (54)
In the Classroom
Have students create a visual timeline of key events leading up to the first Earth Day. Include milestones such as the publication of "Silent Spring", major pollution incidents, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Do this digitally using Timelinely, reviewed here or on poster boards. Students work in small groups to create a short public service announcement (video, podcast, or slideshow) that promotes environmental awareness, inspired by the messaging of the first Earth Day. Digital resources such as Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, Buzzsprout, reviewed here, or Venngage, reviewed here can be used for these projects. Students take on the role of environmental activists, scientists, or lawmakers from the 1970s. Each group proposes a new environmental policy to "Congress," explaining its importance using evidence from the video and research. Classmates vote on which proposal to "pass."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Project Based Learning Project ideas - Van Andel Institute for Education
Grades
K to 12tag(s): Project Based Learning (24)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to create a cause and effect diagram while researching for the "Save the Turtles" PBL card. Students can use Acast reviewed here to make a public service announcement of the importance of composting while using the PBL card titled "Why Does My Teacher Have Worms?"Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Arctic and Antarctic - U.S. National Science Foundation
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): antarctica (30), webcams (20)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to virtually visit the Arctic and Antarctica. Students can compare and contrast both the Arctic and Antarctic using Google Drawings reviewed here. Finally, students can post their noticings and questions in Padlet reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Mechanisms of Plate Movement - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): earthquakes (49), plate tectonics (28)
In the Classroom
Students can post questions on Padlet reviewed here. Students can create models of the different boundaries. Finally, students can interview someone who studies plate tectonics. Record the interview using Adobe Podcast reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Science For A Changing World - USGS
Grades
K to 12tag(s): climate change (100), earthquakes (49), ecosystems (90), geology (61), landforms (38), map skills (63), maps (221), natural disasters (19), STEM (330), volcanoes (59)
In the Classroom
Students can explore USGS topographic maps and identify major landforms. Have them use clay or papier-mache to create 3D models of mountains, valleys, or river systems. Use USGS Water Science School to learn about watersheds, groundwater, and precipitation and have students create a mini water cycle model using plastic containers, water, and a heat source. The water cycle can be built on Scratch, reviewed here or Tinkercad, reviewed here to incorporate technology in the classroom. Assign students a natural disaster (earthquake, flood, landslide, volcano) and use USGS hazard data to have students develop an emergency plan for a specific city or region.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Great Lakes Now - Great Lakes Now: Virtual Field Trips in the Great Lakes
Grades
4 to 10tag(s): habitats (100), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
Students can research more about the area(s) the videos reference. Students can compare and contrast the various usages of the Great Lakes in the United States. Compare using a tool such as ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. You can click on the right side to choose between a two or three-circle Venn diagram. Students can research the animals that live in the Great Lakes and are mentioned in the videos by creating a book in Book Creator, reviewed here or by creating a presentation using Google Slides, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Nature Conservatory Virtual Field Trips - Nature Conservatory
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): conservation (102), environment (250), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
Students could participate in the various virtual field trips offered. Students can track which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) they are working with and look for commonalities and differences between each virtual field trip. In addition, students can create a journal entry of their field trip using Elementari, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here. If students prefer, they could share their journal entry by creating a podcast using Acast, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Save the Planet Breakout - Genially
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): conservation (102), digital escapes (25), game based learning (210), gamification (75), sustainability (53)
In the Classroom
Customize this escape room to match your curriculum requirements, then share it with students as an in-class activity, homework assignment, or flipped learning activity to review content. Find resources for your escape room by visiting TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Escape Room Resources, reviewed here. Include your completed breakout room as an option on a choice board.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Library of Congress Research Guides - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): african american (128), architecture (86), black history (135), branches of government (66), civil rights (219), civil war (141), conservation (102), energy (135), engineering (140), environment (250), foreign policy (13), hispanic (46), industrialization (12), jews (53), latin (21), literature (218), middle east (51), native americans (116), nutrition (139), photography (130), politics (120), population (52), religions (122), Research (78), sports (84), statistics (117), Teacher Utilities (198), women (178), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (64)
In the Classroom
Assign students to explore a Library of Congress guide on a historical event (ex., Civil Rights Movement, World War II) and have them read and summarize a firsthand account or diary (or blog) entry. Students can then write a journal entry or letter from someone who lived through the event. Try a simple blogging tool like Telegra.ph reviewed here. Choose a literature-focused research guide related to a classic novel or author (such as To Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby) and have students create a timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here or a newspaper front page using a template from Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
PhET Interactive Simulations - University of Colorado
Grades
K to 12tag(s): acids and bases (7), area (54), atoms (46), charts and graphs (167), electricity (60), fractions (160), functions (52), gravity (45), light (55), magnetism (34), matter (47), molecules (43), ph (2), probability (98), quadratics (27), simple machines (20), simulations (37), sound (71), space (229), STEM (330)
In the Classroom
Challenge students to explore a PhET simulation related to a current science topic, such as circuits, gravity, or states of matter. They can make predictions before interacting with the simulation and record their observations to compare with their initial ideas. Give students a scavenger hunt worksheet with specific challenges to complete in a simulation (ex., "Find a way to make a circuit light up" in the Circuit Construction Kit). Students design a virtual experiment using a PhET simulation. They choose a variable to change, make a hypothesis, run multiple trials, and record their results in a data table or graph before sharing their findings. After using a PhET simulation, students discuss or write about real-world applications of what they learned (how forces affect roller coasters, how molecules move in different states of matter) and present their findings using Visme, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
HungerMap Live - World Food Programme
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): climate (89), climate change (100), cross cultural understanding (176), environment (250), maps (221), nutrition (139), STEM (330), sustainability (53)
In the Classroom
This interactive map is helpful for many purposes, including engaging students in exploring food security globally and serving as a research tool for in-depth studies of hunger and poverty worldwide. Access this map when studying specific nations or continents to highlight areas of conflict, climate issues, and poverty. Incorporate this map into your lessons that relate to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), find additional resources at TeachersFirst Resources Related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reviewed here. After allowing students time to explore the map on their own, use the link to the map to create a quiz in Wayground (formerly Quizizz), reviewed here or share the quiz with students to use as a guide for exploring the available information.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
National Geographic's Iceland's Glaciers - National Geographic's Iceland's Glaciers
Grades
3 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): glaciers (17)
In the Classroom
Students can research the history of glaciers in Iceland and the impact glaciers have on the world. Students can compare and contrast other glaciers in the world. Compare using a tool such as ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. You can click on the right side to choose between a two or three-circle Venn diagram. Finally, students can take a virtual field trip to visit glaciers in Iceland or other places.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Sanctuaries 360: Explore the Blue - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): california (18), conservation (102), ecosystems (90), florida (12), marine biology (33), michigan (5), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
After analyzing maps of marine sanctuaries to understand different habitat types and their significance for marine species, students can create their own maps based on data provided in the resources. They can use a resource like Google My Maps, reviewed here. Students can make food webs after looking at species in the galleries. Use a resource such as MindMup, reviewed here to make an online version. Assign students to research a real-world issue impacting marine sanctuaries (ex., coral bleaching, overfishing, or pollution). They can create presentations suggesting solutions using Nearpod, reviewed here or Genially, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form