Access these sites through your computer’s Internet connection. Open the underlined address (URL). Information can be printed or downloaded to your computer. Be sure to follow links to other sites and find your way back with the "Back" button. Note that a gateway site is one that is mostly links to a very large number of other sites on the topic. Also, we note where we found broken links in our sampling of links within a site. Teachers will need to replace these links with their own.

All of the sites listed were active as of April 21, 2004. The evaluation is by the AVA Center staff according to the amount of information given, the general appearance of the site and its potential use in the classroom. This list is also sent through email if you have a school email address. Let us know if you would like to be added to our mailing list.

Note: The abbreviation USGS refers to the United States Geological Survey.

For additional sites, please refer to the Earthquakes and Volcanoes website list.
 

                        Websites                   Lesson Plans & Classroom Activities               Webquests

ADVENTURES AT DRY CREEK
http://www.teachersfirst.com/getsource.cfm?id=4044
"You and your students are about to embark on an exciting scientific adventure based upon ongoing research of UC paleontologists studying about life in Montana 60-70 million years ago. This may be unlike any other lesson that you have used with your students because it provides the opportunity to follow the scientific process using real research questions and data. Don't worry if answers to some of the questions are not immediately apparent. After all, scientists don't have all the answers either. This module provides a great opportunity for you as the teacher/facilitator/learner to share with your students the on-going nature of discovery that makes science thrilling." Excellent

BRAINPOP – EARTH SCIENCE
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earth/
Fun information and activities for students on earth science. Sections: Plate Tectonics, Rock Cycle, Earth’s Atmosphere, Ozone, Air Pollution, Weathering, Population Growth, Types of Rocks, Air Pollution Advanced, Glaciers, Erosion, Weather, Earth’s Structure, Volcano, Water, Crystals, Mountains, Ocean Floor, Groundwater, Ocean Currents, Mountain Types, Mineral Identification, and Seasons. Includes a short video for each section. Excellent

CAVES                                            
http://www.42explore.com/caves.htm
Basic information on caves, links to more information and fun activities on caves. Includes links for teachers. Excellent

DISCOVER OUR EARTH
http://atlas.geo.cornell.edu/education/
"Here you will find a wide range of information related to the Earth sciences, accompanied by images, graphs, maps, and movies. In addition, you will find two Java-based, interactive data analysis and mapping tools that will allow customized access to a large variety of Earth science data sets that are used by research scientists. The first Java applet, called QUEST (Quick Use Earth Science Study Tool), has been designed and developed for high school and college students who are just beginning their study of Earth science. It has an easy-to-use interface that allows access to several key Earth science data sets. The second Java applet, GEOID, is more appropriate for advanced users. It provides a dynamic mapping interface and can be used to access all of the Earth science data sets made available by Cornell." Best for senior high students. Outstanding. Excellent

EARTH INTRODUCTION                    
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/earth.htm
"From the perspective we get on Earth, our planet appears to be big and sturdy with an endless ocean of air. From space, astronauts often get the impression that the Earth is small with a thin, fragile layer of atmosphere. For a space traveler, the distinguishing Earth features are the blue waters, brown and green land masses and white clouds set against a black background." Sections: Earth Statistics; Earth Movies; Views of the Earth; The Moon; Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics; Earth From Space; Clouds From Space; Terrestrial Impact Craters; Terrestrial Impact Structures; Chain of Impact Craters; Terrestrial Volcanoes; Hawaiian Volcanoes; Valles Caldera, New Mexico; Shrinking of Greenland’s Glaciers; IMAGE Spacecraft; Auroral Emissions; Planetary Icosahedrons; Earth Image/Animation Gallery plus Earth Viewer and Earth From Space. Excellent

EARTH SCIENCE WORLD
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/
An earth science gateway site. Sections include: Image Bank, Earth Data, Earth Science Week, Geoscience Careers, and Games. Also an Interactive Geological Time Scale. Click on Earth Science Week, then Teachers for classroom activities and more. Excellent

EARTHNET
http://earthnet.bio.ns.ca/english/start_about.html
"EarthNet is a virtual resource centre of earth science resource information and contacts for teachers, home educators and students of all levels - elementary, junior and senior high school. Earthquakes, dinosaurs, fossils, evolution, volcanoes, landslides, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, mountains, canyons, caves, rivers, waterfalls, conservation, the greenhouse effect, global change, oil and gas, energy, mining, ice ages and glaciers, faults, erosion, geological time, planets and space, geosciences careers ... you can search on all these topics."  Includes: Resources, Teachers, Activities, Q & As, Glossary, Dynamic Earth, and a Virtual Field Trip. Note: This is a Canadian site. The Activities are extensive. Excellent

EXPLORATIONS THROUGH TIME – TEACHING MODULES
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explotime.html
A group of teaching modules focusing on the history of life on Earth. Includes: Getting into the Fossil Record, Understanding Geologic Time, and Stories from the Fossil Record. Excellent

FORCES OF NATURE – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on the forces of nature such as earthquakes, droughts, tornadoes, landslides and more. Sections: Info, Reality, Interact, General and Forces. The Interact section has photos, activities, quizzes and more. Outstanding. Excellent

GEOLOGY JEOPARDY
http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/minerals/index.html
The familiar game show online for kids with earth science topics. Topics: Rocks-n-Minerals, Topography, Weathering & Erosion, Tectonics, Astronomy and Meteorology. Students choose the topic and the amount and must answer the questions. Note: This site does not provide the answers. Excellent

LAND FORMATIONS LINKS                    
http://www.suelebeau.com/landformations.htm
A page of links to sites for students on land formations. Sections: Glaciers, Mountains, Deserts and General. Excellent

MIND-BOGGLING LEARNING ACTIVITIES ABOUT ROCKS
http://192.241.47.201/ourcommunities/rockology/types.htm
Three learning activities on sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Excellent

MINERAL MATTERS
http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/minerals/index.html
Information for kids on minerals. Sections: How to Identify Minerals, Create a Collection, Mineral FAQs, Grow Your Own Crystals and Mine Games. Excellent

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP – A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO CAVES
http://www.nps.gov/ozar/skindeep.htm
A teacher’s guide on caves from the National Park Service with information on cave formation, geology, and ecosystems. Includes several classroom activities. Excellent

MOUNTAINS
http://www.42explore.com/mountain.htm
Basic information on mountains with extensive links and classroom activities. Includes links for teachers. Excellent

MUSICAL PLATES – A STUDY OF EARTHQUAKES AND PLATE TECTONICS
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/musicalplates2/index.shtml
"Musical Plates is an Internet-based multidisciplinary project which will enrich a student's learning experience through "Unique and Compelling" applications of instructional technology. In particular, this project taps into some of the exciting applications of the Internet in education by having students access real time earthquake data, interact with experts online, and publish their own work to the project web site." Excellent

NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
http://www.field-trips.org/sci/natwon/index.htm
"In this tour we will visit some of these Natural Wonders of the World. Along the way, you'll learn about geography, geology and magnetic forces!" A virtual tour of some of the world’s natural wonders. Along the way students learn about geologic processes. The Teacher’s Resources section has links. Excellent

ROCKS AND MINERALS                    
http://www.42explore.com/rocks.htm
Basic information on rocks and minerals for students. Includes activities and links. Also includes links for teachers. Excellent

"ROUND ROCKS" TEACHING THE PRINCIPLES OF EARTH SCIENCE AND PALEONTOLOGY
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/AllGrif.html
An article on teaching earth science to teachers and high school students. "We present this approach to paleontology and earth science in an exercise we call "round rocks." The rocks we use are not necessarily round. Indeed, we stress (and we really do mean) that it should be possible to carry out the process with literally any rock in your backyard. The process consists of taking a rock in the hand and asking a single, simple question: "How did this rock come to be this way?" We present this exercise to two categories of audience: students (at grades 6-12) and teachers (K-12). Our one-hour presentations to students are intended to encourage them to begin to think in a new way. Our presentations to teachers are intended to encourage them to teach in a new way. During the main part of the exercise, we attempt to derive four basic principles. It is our contention that application of these four principles alone can lead to the successful interpretation of any geological hand specimen." Excellent

ROCKHOUNDS WITH ROCKY
http://sln.fi.edu/fellows/payton/rocks/index2.html
A site for primary students on rocks and rock hunting. Sections: Rock Hound Collection Safety, Rock Collections, Digging for Information, Discover Earth’s Treasures, Rock Hound Quiz and Pebbling Puzzles. Includes a lesson plan and activities. Excellent

SAVAGE EARTH
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/
A PBS site that examines the Earth and its sometimes violent changes. Sections: Hell’s Crust: Our Everchanging Planet, The Restless Planet: Earthquakes, Out of the Inferno: Volcanoes, and Waves of Destruction: Tsunamis. Includes a separate animation menu. Also Ask the Experts and Savage Sites (links). Each section includes articles and animations. Excellent

SEISMIC AND WAVE PROPAGATION PROGRAMS TO DOWNLOAD
http://www.geol.binghamton.edu/faculty/jones/jones.html#Computer%20Programs
Look at this site for two simple programs to download to show measure seismic activity and wave propagation. For senior students or teachers. You can download both programs for free from this site. Click on Computer Programs in the list or scroll down the page. Note: We downloaded the Seismic Eruption file and ran the program. Excellent

SOIL SCIENCE EDUCATION            NEW URL!    2/06
http://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Sections include: Soil Basics, Soil & Society, Soil & the Environment, Working with Soil, Soil & Students and Soil & Agriculture. Also Every Soil Has a Story, Soil in the News, How Much Soil is There?, Activity of the Month and more. Excellent

SOILS                        
http://www.42explore.com/dirt.htm
Basic information for students on soils. Includes activities and links. Includes websites for teachers with classroom activities. Excellent

THIS DYNAMIC EARTH: THE STORY OF PLATE TECTONICS
http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/usgsnps/pltec/pltec1.html
The story of plate tectonics from the USGS. Sections: Preface, Historical Perspective, Developing the Theory, Understanding Plate Motions, "Hotspots": Mantle Thermal Plates, Some Unanswered Questions, Plate Tectonics and People and Endnotes. Excellent

THE VIRTUAL CAVE
http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave.html
A virtual cave that students can explore online. "From the comfort of your keyboard, browse the wonders of the underground! As a caver and photographer for over 30 years, I've collected images from caves all over the world. This site tells the story of caves in words and pictures: what's in them and how it got there. Because caves are so diverse, I've split them into four underground realms. Grab three sources of light, a helmet, some sturdy boots, and your mouse, and have fun exploring - there LOTS to see! Please treat all caves with respect as these fragile formations are easily damaged. Our motto is: "cave softly." Excellent

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HOME PAGE - A GATEWAY SITE
http://www.usgs.gov/
The official site of the USGS. Sections include: Spotlight, Regional Information, Events, and Science Features. This is a vast site with a lot of educational resources in the Education section. Note: The link at the bar changes providing access to different features. Excellent

ASK THE ANSWER WORM!
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skworm.html
"It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it--S.K.Worm, the official annelid, or worm, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service answers students questions about soil. Even their teachers can’t wiggle their way out of this one! Slither your way through these soiled questions and earn a very special diploma. You might even get hooked on Soil!" Very Good

DESERTS: GEOLOGY AND RESOURCES                
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/deserts/contents/
An online book from the USGS on deserts. Sections: What is a Desert?, How the Atmosphere Influences Aridity, Where Deserts Form, Types of Deserts, Desert Features, Eolian Processes, Types of Dunes, Remote Sensing of Arid Lands, Mineral Resources in Deserts, and Desertification. Very Good

THE DIRT ON SOIL: WHAT REALLY GOES ON UNDER THE GROUND
http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/soil/
A Discovery School adventure on soil. Sections: Down and Dirty, Field Guide, and Soil Safari. Also includes Resources (links) and Teacher Tips. Very Good

DOUGLAS HENDERSON’S EARTH HISTORY ILLUSTRATIONS
http://gallery.in-tch.com/~earthhistory/
An artist’s illustrations of various time periods in Earth’s history. Click on Images on the left and then on the time period. Very Good

THE DYNAMIC EARTH
http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/
A site from the Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian about the Earth and its geologic processes. Very colorful with photos and animations. Only one section is open yet, though. Rocks and Mining. Subsections: Rocks at Earth’s Surface, Rocks Below Earth’s Surface and Mining. Includes a Geogallery with photos and a Postcards and Downloads section with screensavers and postcards. Very Good

EARTH SCIENCE EXPLORER – EARTH FLOOR
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsys.html
Fun and colorful information for elementary students on earth science topics. Sections: Diversity, Adaptation, Plate Tectonics, Cycles, Spheres, Biomes, and Geologic Time. Each section has several sub-sections. Note: You need to apply for a password to enter the Teacher’s Lounge. Here is the link: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/teacher/teacher.html Very Good

EARTH SCIENCES GATEWAY
http://www.psigate.ac.uk/newsite/earth-gateway.html
A gateway to earth science information. Very Good

EARTH’S CHANGING SURFACE
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/earth/sciber/intro.htm
An 8^th grade science Sci-ber text on the changing surface of the earth. Sections: Earth’s Atmosphere, Earth’s Climate, Earth’s Surface, Obleck Activity, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Rock and Roll, Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks, Weathering & Erosion, Metamorphic Rocks, and Rock Formation Quiz. Also Enrichment: Radioactive Lab and Radioactive Lab Answers. Very Good

EARTHFORCE
http://sln.fi.edu/earth/earth.html
Examines the forces with the Earth – both above and below the surface. Sections: Earthforce in the Core, Earthfore in the Crust, and Earthforce in the Water. Each has information and extensive links. Includes classroom activities. Very Good

FIELD DISPATCH – RACE TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/caverace/week1/
Dispatches from a National Geographic Society expedition to explore Cheve Cave in Mexico, which may be the deepest known. Follow the nine-week expedition through field dispatches from explorer Bill Stone. Note: The expedition was from February-April 2004. Very Good

FOSSILS, ROCKS AND TIME                    
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/fossils/contents.html
An online book from the USGS on fossils and rocks. Sections: Introduction, Putting Events in Order, Scale, Rocks and Layers, Fossils and Rocks, Fossil Succession, and The Numeric Time Scale. Very Good

GEO MYSTERIES
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/index2.html
Children help Rex the Dino solve geologic mysteries such as how can a rock float. There is also a Geologic Timeline, Fast FAQs about Rocks and Fossils and Field Tips for Field Trips. Very Good

GEOLOGIC COOKBOOK
http://www.uky.edu/KGS/education/cookbook.html
Follow these tasty recipes for such goodies as Trilobite Cookies, Cephalopod Celery, Layer-Cake Geology, Ammonites in a Blanket and more. Very Good

GEOLOGIC RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/
"Geologic Resources of the National Parks range from the world –renowned sculptured depths of Grand Canyon National Park to the ancient fossils of Dinosaur National Monument. These resources are inspiring to behold and form the foundation of all ecosystems. Understanding geologic features and the dynamic processes that affect them is essential to understanding the natural world." Sections: Tour of Park Geology, National Cave and Karst Research Institute, Teacher Resources, Disturbed Lands Restoration, Geologic Resource Evaluation Program, Minerals Management. Abandoned Mineral Lands, and Adjacent Minerals and Energy Development. Very Good

GEOLOGIC TIME
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/geotime/
An online book from the USGS on geologic time. Sections: Geologic Time, Relative Time Scale, Major Divisions of Geologic Time, Index Fossils, Radiometric Time Scale, and Age of the Earth. Very Good

THE GEOLOGY WING – EXHIBITS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/geology.html
"Information in the Geology Wing is organized so that you can explore either the stratigraphy, ancient life, field localities or tectonics associated with each period of time. Just click on the buttons to access additional information in these categories." Very Good

HOTLIST: EARTH SCIENCE
http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/geology.html
A "hotlist" from the Franklin Institute of links to earth science websites. Sections: Online Exhibits, General Geology, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Rocks & Minerals, Ecosystems, Aquatic Ecosystems, Background Information and Facts, Images, and Teacher Resources. Very Good

JUNIOR ROCKHOUND ONLINE MAGAZINE                
http://www.canadianrockhound.com/junior/index.html
A good site for upper elementary students on rocks and minerals. Sections: Rocks & Minerals, Geology of the Earth, Fossils, Mining, Field Trips & Safety, Books and Web Links. Very Good

MRS. BARRETT’S ROCK RESOURCES
http://www.suelebeau.com/rocks.htm
A page of links to websites about rocks. Very Good

THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF CAVES                
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/caves/
A NOVA site on caves. Sections: The Lives of Extremophiles, Journey Into Lechuquilla, Jewel of the Underground and How Caves Form (last 2 are interactive). Very Good

PUZZLES OF THE EARTH – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/17701/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site examining plate tectonics, crustal movement and more. Includes an interactive game and a quiz. Very Good

ROCK DOCTOR
http://www.cobweb.net/~bug2/rock1.htm
Basic information on rocks and minerals. Sections: Minerals, Sedimentary, Igneous, Metamorphic, Earth’s Interior, Seismology, Big T’s World. Very Good

ROCK DOCTOR’S GUIDE TO MINERAL IDENTIFICATION
http://www.cobweb.net/~bug2/rock4.htm
A site for elementary students on mineral identification from brief descriptions of such characteristics as color, streak, fracture/cleavage, hardness, luster, crystal form, taste, specific gravity, magnetism, effervescence (fizz), birefringence, and fluorescence. There is a Mineral Flow Chart and a Mineral Quiz. Very Good

SAND                        
http://www.paccd.cc.ca.us/instadmn/physcidv/geol_dp/dndougla/SAND/
"This web site is all about sand. It is a place where you can learn about sand, see a variety of different kinds of sand, and look at sands from different places around the world. We hope this virtual sand collection can be used by many people in many different ways." Sections: About Sand, Index to the Virtual Sand Collection, Looking at Sand, Sands of the World, International Sand Collectors Society, Sand Discovery Kit (note: fee), Poempage, and Links. Very Good

SANDS OF THE WORLD – AN INTERACTIVE EARTH SCIENCE PROJECT
http://www.ed.uri.edu/homepage/projects/ocean/Sand4.htm
Examines sand from various sites around the world. Includes audio files of "singing" sands, Sands of the World Sampler (close-up views of sand grains), Sand-sational Facts, Sandy Sentiments, and Collect Data plus links. Very Good

TEACHER’S GUIDE TO THE GEOLOGY OF HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/atg.html
A web version of a book for teachers on Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It includes teaching suggestions and classroom activities. Very Good

VISIBLE EARTH
http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/
A large collection of satellite images of Earth. Check out the sections: Land Surface and Solid Earth for geological features. Very Good

A WONDERFUL WORLD OF MINERALS – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002744/adlm.html?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on minerals. Sections: Minerals, Gems, Birthstones, Growing Crystals, Volcanoes, Games, Metals, Build Your Own Volcano, Webelo Scout Geologist Requirement, and Rock Photo Album. Very Good

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM
http://www.nps.gov/yose/education/index.htm
Information on Yosemite National Park with lesson plans and activities. Sections: Yosemite at a Glance (a quick tour including geology, water, plants and animals, people and park history), Yosemite in Depth (contains more detailed lessons and activities, including interactive questions and answers. You will currently find a geology lesson suitable for grades four through six), Teacher Resources discusses how to use the lesson plans in the classroom. Note: The only course on so far is Geology. More are to be added. Very Good

THE ABC’S OF PLATE TECTONICS
http://webspinners.com/dlblanc/tectonic/ptABCs.shtml
Includes Preface, Remedial Reading and four lessons (not lesson plans). Good

AQUIFERS
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwaquifer.html
Information on aquifers, how they are formed and how we use them. Good

THE ARMCHAIR CAVER
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/arthur.vause/
Photo tours of six caves: Gaping Gill, Wales 1997, Lost John’s, Sunset, Car Pot, and Ogof Ffynnon Ddu. Also a Caver’s Horoscope. Good

ASK-A-GEOLOGIST                
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/ask-a-geologist/
Students can email a geologist a question. Before doing so, they need to check the already asked and answered questions. Good

ASK AN EARTH SCIENTIST
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/askanerd.html
A site where students can ask an earth scientist questions about his field. The questions and answers are archived so students need to search them first, if they don’t find their question, they can use the submission form. Good

BREAKUP OF GONDWANALAND
http://earth.leeds.ac.uk/~greg/Gond.html
An animation of the breakup of the prehistoric continent Gondwanaland. Good

COLLECTING ROCKS                    
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/collect1/collectgip.html
A brochure from the USGS on rock collecting. Good

COLOR LANDFORM ATLAS OF THE UNITED STATES
http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/nj_0.html
Includes 3-D maps, topographic maps and more. Good

CONTINENTAL DRIFT ANIMATION
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim9.html
An animation showing the drifting of the continents over geologic eras to their present positions. Use the Refresh button to play it again. Good

CONTINENTAL DRIFT WORD SEARCH GAME
http://kids.mtpe.hq.nasa.gov/archive/pangaea/wordsearch.html
A word search game on plate tectonics and continental drift. Good

CRATERS
http://nasakids.com/SolarSystem/Meteors/Craters.asp
Information for students on craters. Includes a Make a Crater activity. Good

THE DESERT CAVES PROJECT
http://www.saudicaves.com/index.html
"Sixty million years ago, a thick layer of limestone was slowly formed at the bottom of a shallow sea. Today, that same rock formation lies beneath the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia. Alongside the Dahna sand dunes, not far from Riyadh, the Umm-Er-Radhuma limestone is riddled with countless holes known locally as Dahls. Since the 1980's a number of beautiful and sometimes curious caves have been found in this area and reports on them have appeared in various publications. The SaudiCaves website hopes to bring such cave reports, maps pictures and other information together in one location for the benefit of researchers, explorers in Saudi Arabia and, of course, the general public. If you're looking for something related to the caves of Saudi Arabia, you'll find it here!" Includes a picture gallery and descriptions of explorations. Good

EARTH SCIENCE GLOSSARY
http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/glossary/
A simple glossary of terms in earth science. Good

THE EASTERN WATERFALL GUIDE
http://www.aria-database.com/waterfall/
Lists 150 waterfalls in the eastern US. Includes photos and descriptions along with locations and recommendations for visiting. Good

EVEREST – A VIRTUAL TOUR
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/everest/
A virtual tour of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. Good

EVERY PLACE HAS ITS FAULTS                
http://www.tinynet.com/faults.html
Discusses the different types of faults in the Earth and uses illustrations to clarify. Includes extensive links. Good

GEOLOGIC EXPLORATIONS
http://www.ncsu.edu/sciencejunction/terminal/lessons/geo/index.html
Explore a variety of geologic formations through stills and panoramic photos. Note: There is no description or location given other than coordinates. Good

GEOLOGIC TIME
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/Geologictime.html
Information on geologic time for elementary students. Good

A GEOLOGIST’S LIFETIME FIELD LIST
http://www.uc.edu/geology/geologylist/
A list of types of formations that every geologist should see, including an open pit mine, a glacier, an active geyser, a slot canyon, an exfoliation dome, the edge of a tectonic plate and more. It also includes specific locations a geologist should visit such as The Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, the Great Barrier Reef, the Bay of Fundy, Lake Baikal and more. Good

GEOLOGY, ROCKS AND MINERALS PRINTOUTS
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geology/
Five printouts on rocks and minerals plus a rock and mineral dictionary. Good

GEYSER CINEMA NEWS
http://www.gigagraphica.com/geyser/index.html
A large number of short videos of geysers erupting. Not much information beyond location. Good

GEYSERS AND THE EARTH’S PLUMBING SYSTEM
http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/geysers.html
An article on the mechanics of how and why geysers erupt, the different types. Includes the mathematical equations for measuring the volume and temperature of the water. Good

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – NATURE & SCIENCE        
http://www.nps.gov/grca/pphtml/nature.html
A brief look at the geology, natural features and ecosystems of the Grand Canyon. Good

IMAGE GALLERY OF ROCKS
http://www.minerals.net/gallery/gallery.htm
A database of images of rocks. Includes photo, mineral name, common name, origin/location, and collection. Good

INSIDE CHIQUIBUL: PHOTOGRAPHING CENTRAL AMERICA’S LONGEST CAVE
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/chiquibul/intro.html
An account of the attempts to measure and photograph the 60-mile Chiquibul cave system in Belize and Guatemala. Click on the red arrow to see a map of the cave system. Click on the red dots for panoramic pictures and yellow squares for photos. Note: You may need to download the iPIX viewer to see the panoramic images. Good

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/nature/9903/earth.layers/frameset.exclude.html
An interactive site from CNN on earth science. It gives brief information on the layers of the Earth. Good

KARST TOPOGRAPHY: TEACHER’S GUIDE AND PAPER MODEL
http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/parks/cave/karst.html
This report illustrates, through computer animation and a paper model, why caves develop in limestone. By studying the animations and the paper model, students will better understand the evolution of Karst topography. Included in the paper and diskette versions of this report are templates for making a paper model, instructions for its assembly, and a discussion of development of Karst topography. In addition, the diskette version includes an animation of how Karst topography changes through time." Note: The online version show here does not contain the animation and uses the paper model only. Good

KENTUCKY CAVERNS – CAVE ECOLOGY
http://www.kdu.com/kchome.html
Information on the formation of caves, how surface events effect caves and cave habitat. Sections: The Formation of Caves, Cave Ecology, and Caver’s Glossary and Tips. Also Student Activities. Good

LEWIE’S FLUORESCENT MINERALS PAGE
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/9911/
Pictures of fluorescent minerals. Good

THE MINERAL GALLERY                
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/by_class.htm
A list of minerals by class. Suitable for elementary students. Good

MINERALOGY DATABASE
http://web.wt.net/~daba/Mineral/
A massive database of minerals sorted by different properties such as Crystallography, Chemical Composition, New Dana Classification, Strunz Classification, and Determinative Mineralogy. Includes pictures and other links. Good

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM – MINERAL COLLECTION
http://www.lam.mus.ca.us/sitemap/
Well-organized collections of minerals photos and information. Sections: World-wide Minerals, California Minerals, Rare Minerals, World-wide Gem Crystals, California Gem Crystals, Native Gold and Gems. Click on the picture for a description. Good

NEW JERSEY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/
Includes a geologic map of New Jersey. Click on the links on the left for Functions, Geodata, Education (incl. lesson plans), and Links. Good

NEW JERSEY STATE MINERALS INFORMATION
http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/state/nj.html
You can download copies of the Minerals Yearbook from 1994-2002. Good

NOAA NATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL DATA CENTER- IMAGES- VISUALIZING DATA
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/image/
"The Images offered here are .GIF .JPG or .MPEG images produced in the National Geophysical Data Center's Marine Geology & Geophysics Division (with the exception of the seafloor topography from satellite altimetry, produced by Dr. Walter Smith of NOAA). The crustal age images were produced at NGDC in cooperation with scientists from other organizations." These are illustrations imaging data from several sources. Note: For senior students. Good

OUR CHANGING CONTINENT
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/geotime/
An online brochure from the USGS on the North American continent. "Where were the land areas and oceans of the North American Continent 1 million years ago, compared to their present locations? Was North America always about the same size and shape that it is today? To answer these questions, geologists construct maps of the lands and seas as they existed in past ages. This process of reconstructing ancient geography is called paleogeography (from the Greek word "palaios," meaning ancient). Good

THE ROCK CYCLE SONG
http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/curriculum/MISmart/ocean/rocksong.htm
A simple song for primary students on the rock cycle and the forms of rocks. Good

ROCKS AND MINERALS WORD SEARCH PUZZLE
http://www.thepotters.com/puzzles/kids/rocks.html
A simple word search puzzle on rocks and minerals. Note: For middle school and up. Good

SEISMIC INTENSITY SCALES
http://www.il-st-acad-sci.org/kingdom/geo1001.html
Seismic intensity scales measure the effects of an earthquake at different sites. Good

SLOT CANYONS OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/index.html
Information and pictures of slot canyons in the southwest. Good examples. Good

SMITHSONIAN GEM AND MINERAL COLLECTION
http://www.min.uni-bremen.de/sgmcol/
Photos and descriptions of various gemstones and minerals in the collection. Good

VIRTUAL AGE DATING
http://www.sciencecourseware.com/VirtualDating/
"Sorry, but you're not likely to find that special someone here, because this is an interactive exercise about Geologic Time. Here you'll learn how geologists and archeologists determine the ages of rocks and ancient artifacts." Good

VIRTUAL GEOMORPHOLOGY
http://main.amu.edu.pl/~sgp/gw/gw.htm
"I have created a WWW page that is the proposal of table of contents to a non-existent geomorphology text book. The task of this page is linking to other hypertext documents that form the successive pages of the book. The book is contributed by the readership. For example, one person might want to write a page on the fluvial geomorphology, another might want to talk about deserts, and yet another might want to author a section on volcanoes. Other information comes from already existing WWW pages like the World's Drylands. All the pages are linked together, forming a more or less complete text on the subject - the Virtual Geomorphology." Sections include: Geomorphological Systems, Theoretical Geomorphology, Structural Geomorphology, Dynamic Geomorphology, Historical Geomorphology and more. Good

VIRTUAL PANORAMAS OF GEOTHERMAL AND FUMAROLE AREAS
http://www.virtualguidebooks.com/ThematicLists/Geothermal.html
Several panoramic views of fumaroles and geothermal areas in California. Good

VIRTUAL VACATIONLAND – A VIRTUAL TOUR OF ONLINE RESOURCES FOR EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION
http://www.bigelow.org/virtual/
Helps students find information and data on earth science topics. Includes: Land Topography, Ocean Bathymetry, Coastal Tides, Ocean Buoy Data, Ocean Temperature, Weather & Climate and Watersheds & Rivers. Good

WHAT ARE CRYSTALS?                    
http://img.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/BCA/ed/wond.html
A page of links to information on crystals. Good

WHAT ON EARTH IS PLATE TECTONICS?
http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/usgsnps/pltec/pltec1.html
A site that explains plate tectonics for beginners. Click on This Dynamic Earth for a more detailed version (see elsewhere on list). Good

BIG ISLAND POOL: IGNEOUS ROCKS AND THE ANATOMY OF A VOLCANO – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/07/gk2/igneous.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on volcanoes. "Students will take a virtual visit to the Big Island Pool in Hawaii and see how forces of water (hydrosphere), wind (atmosphere), and geology (lithosphere) mold the Earth in which we live." Excellent

CAVE DWELLING: INVESTIGATING THE STRUCTURE OF CAVES – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000905tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on caves for grades 6-12. "In this lesson, students examine the structure and formation of caves. Students create a three-dimensional cross-section diorama of a cave in order to illustrate key concepts." Excellent

THE DANGEROUS EARTH – A LEARNING MODULE
http://www.wiley.com/college/murck/index_old.html
Includes five exercises: What is Geology?, Subsidence and Collapse, Earthquakes, Tsunami!, and Volcanoes. Also Related Web Links. Very Good

EARTH MOVERS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=163
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on continental drift. "In this lesson, students will learn about the idea of continental drift and the theory of plate tectonics to ascertain a fuller picture of how land formations on earth's surface are shaped by plates moving below the surface." Excellent

EARTH SCIENCE LESSON PLANS
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/lesson.html
A huge collection of earth science lesson plan for grades 5-8. Excellent

EXPLORING CAVES – CURRICULUM UNIT
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/explorecaves.htm
"Exploring Caves is an interdisciplinary set of materials on caves for grades K-3. Caves entail at least five scientific disciplines: earth science, hydrology, mapping, biology, and anthropology. Each of these disciplines involves a unique content area as well as the development of particular intellectual skills. This unit aims at helping teachers to sort and organize the most important ideas in this rich scientific area. Detailed lesson plans serve as ways to pass these ideas on to very young students." Start with the Introduction, then the Teacher’s Guide, then Explore Caves. This contains four sections: Cave Types, Cave Animals, Cave Care and America’s Caves. Then a 5-chapter story followed by 5 lessons. Outstanding. Excellent

FOSSILS AND GEOLOGIC TIME – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=44
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on fossils and geologic time. "This lesson is based on an online booklet that provides an introduction to the study of earth's history, published by the USGS. Using careful analogies and written historical records, the authors help students understand the development of the geologic time scale, including how this depended on gathering evidence and making comparisons. The major time periods in earth's history are introduced, as well as are fossils and the role they play in helping us understand this history.
Students will likely have been introduced to the geologic time scale in earlier grades, so this lesson is structured loosely to enable you to adapt the content to match the levels and needs of your particular students. Prerequisite knowledge for this lesson includes the idea that: "Sediments of sand and smaller particles (sometimes containing the remains of organisms) are gradually buried and are cemented together by dissolved minerals to form solid rock again."" Excellent

GEOLOGIC AGE- CURRICULUM UNIT
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/geoage.htm
A curriculum unit for grades 7-12 on geologic time. Sections: Background, Activity, Materials and Extension. Excellent

GOLD: FROM THE MINE TO YOU – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/16/g912/frommine.html
A lesson plan on gold for grades 9-12. "This lesson asks students to focus on gold and the process that takes it from miners to jewelers. By learning about this process, students will be encouraged to think about the individuals behind the production process and the environmental and human impacts associated with producing their belongings." Excellent

HOW ARE ISLANDS FORMED? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/g35/bowerformed.html
A lesson plan on land formation for grades 3-5. "This lesson will provide students with information about how islands are formed, including a basic knowledge of plate tectonics. Using the islands of Hawaii as an example, students will learn about the earth processes that cause the formation of islands over time, including volcanoes and "hot spots." Excellent

HOW SEDIMENTARY ROCKS ARE FORMED – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=174
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on rocks. "This lesson briefly reviews the rock cycle in general, then focuses on sedimentary rocks. Research tells us: "It is especially important that students come to understand how sedimentary rock is formed periodically, embedding plant and animal remains and leaving a record of the sequence in which the plants and animals appeared and disappeared." Excellent

MINING RICHES: EXAMINING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE MINING INDUSTRY – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030402wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on mining for grades 6-12. "In this lesson, students will research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations." Excellent

A MODEL OF THREE FAULTS – CURRICULUM UNIT
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/faults.htm
A curriculum unit for grades 7-12 on faults. Sections: Background, Instructions, Application, Extensions, Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Model. Excellent

MOUNTAINS "FOLD, FAULT, ERUPT AND ERODE" - LESSON PLAN
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=2216
A lesson plan for 5^th grade students on the four forms of mountain formation. Students learn about them and then re-create them in the classroom. Excellent

MY LITTLE ISLAND – LESSON PLAN
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2254/
A lesson plan for grades 5-8 on the formation of islands. "In this lesson, students will learn about the processes that lead to the formation of an island and study the impact that an island's geographic and geologic history has on the culture of the people who live there. Students will divide into groups to research a specific island. Ultimately, the students will present a dramatic skit representing a day-in-the-life of island inhabitants." Excellent

THE RING OF FIRE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/15/g912/ring.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on the geographic region known as the "Ring of Fire". "Becoming educated in physical geography requires an understanding of the theory of plate tectonics and the Earth's geological history. In this lesson, students will learn more about these concepts as they investigate the region known as the Ring of Fire, where 75% of the Earth's active and dormant volcanoes are located." Excellent

ROCK HUNTERS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=365
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on rocks. "This lesson centers on students making detailed observations of rocks. Through their observations, students will begin to develop an understanding that there are many types of rocks with a multitude of different attributes. Although students in the K-2 level are not yet ready to learn about the names of different kinds of rocks or the geological reasons for different rock formations, they are ready to understand that there are many sizes and shapes of rocks in our environment. They are able to recognize that our earth has sand, which is very small particles of rock; pebbles and small rocks that they may find in the dirt; and large mountains." Excellent

ROCK ON! – CONSTRUCTING HISTORICAL INFORMATION FROM GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030121tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on rocks for grades 6-12. "In this lesson, students draw conclusions about how various rock samples were formed. They then produce creative profiles of the life history of the rock samples.." Excellent

ROCKS, FOSSILS AND MINERALS – UNIT OF STUDY
http://www.stf.sk.ca/teaching_res/library/teach_mat_centre/tmc/e10625/e10625.htm
A study unit for 4^th grade students on rocks, fossils and minerals. "The students will gain an understanding of the earth's history by: • comparing rocks according to their origin • explaining how different types of rocks are formed • describing how fossils are formed • producing mold and cast reproductions of an artifact • comparing mold and cast reproductions of the artifact and • making inferences about fossils and the Earth’s history."  Excellent

SALT: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=173
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on salt. "In this lesson, students will predict, observe, and explain the details of salt as they view it under a variety of magnifications. They will observe salt with the naked eye, and then under a hand lens, microscope, and the electron microscope (the electron image is via the Internet). In order to complete this lesson, it is important that students have previous experience working with hand lenses and microscopes." Excellent

SAMPLING ROCKS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=110
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on rocks. "In this lesson, students will collect and analyze a sample of rocks from the schoolyard. Students will array the collected rocks by characteristics such as size, weight, and color, to see if any generalizations can be made about the types of rocks that can be found in the schoolyard." Excellent

WHAT’S IN SOIL – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=152
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on soil. "In grades 3-5, students should become adept at using magnifiers to inspect rock and soils. The point is not to classify rigorously, but to notice the variety of components in rock and soils. This lesson encourages students to investigate the formation, properties, and components of soil. They create their own soil, then conduct an experiment to see how it compares to other varieties of soil for growing plants." Excellent

WOMEN IN MINING – CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
http://www.womeninmining.org/activity.htm
Classroom activities on earth science. Includes: Birdseed Mining, Cupcake Core Sampling, Mining in a Nutshell, Potato Mountain and many more. Excellent

COAL EDUCATION LESSON PLANS
http://www.coaleducation.org/lessons/lesson.htm
A collection of lesson plans on earth science. Note: These do not focus on coal but various earth science topics. Very Good

EARTH SCIENCE LESSON PLANS
http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classearth.html#Anchor3
A collection of brief earth science lesson plans such as Snicker’s Science, Ride the Rock Cycle and Simply Sediment. The lesson plans originated through a junior high school but are adaptable to other grades. Very Good

GETTING SPECIFIC ABOUT MINERALS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/educators/activities/2003_2004/inclass/getting_minerals.html
A printable classroom activity sheet for identifying minerals. Very Good

GOLD MINE – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/goldmine.html
A Newton’s Apple experiment in which students use beads to simulate panning for gold, read about gold mining and build a miniature "gold" mine. Very Good

HANDS-ON EARTH SCIENCE ACTIVITIES & LESSON PLANS
http://www.jclahr.com/science/earth_science/index.html
A list activities and lesson plans for earth science. Includes: Earthshaking Lab Lesson Plan, Animation of an Earthquake, The Earth’s Core, and more. Very Good

GEMS – HOW DO GEMSTONES GET THEIR COLORS? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/gems11.html
A Newton’s Apple lesson on gemstones with a classroom activity. Very Good

LEARNING FROM THE FOSSIL RECORD – LESSON PLANS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/Learning.html
Lesson plans on fossils for junior/senior high students. Very Good

MOUNTAIN MAKER, EARTH SHAKER – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/tectonics/
A classroom activity on plate tectonics. "This activity lets you manipulate tectonic plates. Pull the plates apart and push them together and watch what happens to the Earth." Click the links for more information. Very Good

A RECIPE FOR SOIL – LESSON PLAN
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=2508
A lesson plan on soil for 4^th grade students. "Students make soil using local materials and compare plant growth in natural and student-made soil." Very Good

ROCK CYCLE FUDGE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceRockCycleFudge58.htm
A lesson plan for grades 5-8 in which students make fudge with various inclusions such as nuts and marshmallows. Very Good

SEAFLOOR SPREADING AND SUBDUCTION MODEL – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.jclahr.com/science/earth_science/platemod/index.html
"This report describes how to build a model of the outer 300 km (180 miles) of the Earth that can be used to develop a better understanding of the principal features of plate tectonics, including sea-floor spreading, the pattern of magnetic stripes frozen into the sea floor, transform faulting, thrust faulting, subduction, and volcanism. In addition to a paper copy of this report, the materials required are a cardboard shoebox, glue, scissors, straight edge, and safety razor blade." Very Good

SPELUNKING – HOW ARE CAVES FORMED? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/spelunk01.html
A Newton’s Apple lesson on cave formation with a classroom activity. Very Good

THEMATIC UNIT ON ROCKS AND MINERALS
http://www.libsci.sc.edu/miller/rocks.htm
A unit on rocks and minerals for primary students. "Students will expand their knowledge of rocks by exploring the characteristics of local rocks." Very Good

UNIT ON EROSION                        
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceSSMDUnitOnErosion46.htm
A curriculum unit on erosion for grades 4-6. Very Good

THE CHANGING EARTH – LESSON PLAN
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/sci/cecsci/cecsci018.html
A lesson plan for grades 3-4 on the earth. "The purpose of this activity package is to provide easy and enjoyable science activities and observations which will give students evidence, illustrations and visualizations for some of the changes in the earth's crust. It will also develop in them an awareness of the importance of man's role in sharing with nature in the changes to be made in the future." Good

CLASSIFYING ROCKS AND MINERALS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=2492
A lesson plan for 4^th grade student on rocks. "Students identify rock types by observing key characteristics." Good

COOKIE EXCAVATION – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.nps.gov/badl/teacher/excavation.htm
A classroom activity for grades 3-6 on excavation. Good

CRYSTAL CREATIONS – GROW SPIKES OF CRYSTALS IN THE SUN - CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/crystal.html
A simple classroom activity for elementary students in which they grow crystals. Good

DIAMONDS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/beakman/diamond.html
A classroom activity for elementary students showing why diamonds are so hard. Good

DIGGING THE EARTH’S CRUST - LESSON PLAN
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/dig.html
A lesson plan for upper elementary students on the Earth’s crust. Students discuss various questions and then examine the different kinds of materials that make up the Earth’s crust. Good

EARTHQUAKE ANALYSIS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/educators/activities/2002_2003/inclass/earthquake_analysis.html
A classroom activity in which students analyze data to locate recent earthquakes. Good

EDIBLE ROCK FAMILIES – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/educators/activities/2003_2004/athome/edible_families.html
Students bake cookies to resemble igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Good

EDUCATOR’S GUIDE TO IMPACT CRATERS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/jpl/craters.html
A classroom activity in which students recreate an impact crater. Good

FRACTURES IN CHEESE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.madsci.org/experiments/archive/871082838.Es.html
A lesson plan for K-3 students on fractures. Students use slices of cheese to see how fractures grow in size. This is then related to plate tectonics. Good

FROSTY EFFECTS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/educators/activities/2003_2004/inclass/frosty_effects.html
A classroom activity in which students demonstrate the effect of frost on rocks. Good

GLACIER CLIMBING – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/glaciers.html
A Newton’s Apple experiment in which students read about glaciers and create glacier movement. Good

GRAVITY AND EROSION – LESSON PLAN
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceGravityErosionMassWasting8.htm
A lesson plan for grade 8 on erosion. "Objectives: TLW explain how gravity affects erosion and deposition, TLW differentiate between rapid and slow mass wasting." Note: We believe TLW is short for "The learner will". Good

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/educators/activities/2002_2003/inclass/balls_fire.html
A classroom activity in which students investigate meteor impacts on the Earth’s surface. Good

HOW MUCH OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE CAN BE USED TO PRODUCE FOOD – LESSON PLAN
http://www.coe.unt.edu/luttrell/4thgrade/land%20for%20food.htm
A brief lesson plan for 4^th grade students using an apple to show the limited amount of land surface that can be used to produce food. Good

JUST HOW DO THOSE PLATES MOVE? – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/educators/activities/2002_2003/inclass/plates_move.html
A classroom activity in which students use common materials to understand plate tectonics. Good

LA VIE EN CAVE! – CAVES IN FRANCE – LESSON PLAN               
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=416
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on caves and cave paintings. "Speleology, the scientific study of caves, began in France with Edouard Martel. It's only appropriate that elementary French students learn their cave-art vocabulary by studying the caves of France. In this highly kinetic lesson, students will explore cave paintings of France and create their own cave-wall art for the classroom." Good

LAND MASS FORMATION DEMONSTRATION – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.fi.edu/tfi/activity/earth/earth-7.html
A classroom activity for grades K-6 on land formation. Good

MAGIC SALT CRYSTAL GARDEN – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/educators/activities/2003_2004/athome/magic_garden.html
A classroom activity in which students use salt and water to create a "crystal garden". Good

MAKING DIRT – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.nps.gov/badl/teacher/dirt.htm
A classroom activity for grades 1-2 on dirt. Good

METAMORPHIC ROCK PANCAKES – LESSON PLAN
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/sci/cecsci/cecsci044.html
A lesson plan for grades 2-8 on metamorphic rocks. Students make pancakes to study how metamorphic rocks are created through heat and pressure. Good

MINERAL REPLACEMENT IN FOSSIL FORMATION – LESSON PLAN
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=2589
A 4^th grade lesson plan in which plaster of paris is used to show two ways minerals are formed. Good

MODELED TO A FAULT – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/educators/activities/2002_2003/inclass/modeled_fault.html
A classroom activity in which students model three types of faults. Good

MOUNTAIN BUILDING – LESSON PLAN
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/sci/cecsci/cecsci141.html
A lesson plan for grade 4 and up on mountains. "This activity was a part of a series of lessons in a continuing study of Change. It was designed to give the students hands-on experience manipulating and controlling some of the variables in one type of Change, soil erosion." Good

RIVER BOXES – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.nps.gov/badl/teacher/riverboxes.htm
A classroom activity for grades 1-3 on water erosion. Good

ROCK COLLECTING – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/earthspace7.html
A classroom activity for grades 2-4 on rock identification. "Students will practice classifying rocks in the categories sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic." Good

THE ROCK CYCLE – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/educators/activities/2003_2004/athome/rock_cycle.html
A classroom activity in which students use crayon shavings to demonstrate the rock cycle. Good

THE ROCK RECIPE – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/core/4th/4thSciber/rocks/html/rocks.htm
A classroom activity in which students "create" rocks with food. Good

UNDERSTANDING ROCK LAYERS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.nps.gov/badl/teacher/superposition.htm
A classroom activity for grades 3-4 on rock layers. Good

WHAT A DRIP – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.nps.gov/badl/teacher/drip.htm
A classroom activity for grades 3-6 on erosion. Good

YOU GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN YOUR HANDS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/educators/activities/2002_2003/inclass/world_hands.html
A classroom activity in which students use a foam ball and art materials to understand the layers of the Earth. Good

DISCOVERING ROCKS – WEBQUEST
http://www.webmonkeyplus.com/rocks/introduction.htm
A webquest for upper elementary students on rock. "The Mayor of Rocktopia has been quoted as saying, "A rock is a rock, is a rock. They don't have a cycle. There are water cycles, life cycles and even bi cycles. But, there's no such thing as rock cycles." Since Rocktopia depends on money from tourists who visit Rocktopia to see its wonderful rocks of all kinds. Rocktopia can not afford to lose tourist dollars because of a Mayor who doesn't know a thing about rocks. He makes rocks sound silly and unimportant. It is your job to demonstrate to the Mayor that rocks do have a natural cycle to them just as water has a cycle." Excellent

THE EARTH’S HISTORY WEBQUEST
http://www.caledonia.k12.mi.us/k12resource/ETAWeb/earth/HistoryoftheEarth.htm
A webquest for 4^th grade students on the geologic history of the Earth. "The Earth has been around a long time. At one time the Earth looked very different than now. All of the continents were connected in one big glob. One way we know this is through the study of fossils. You will find some information on fossils and journey through the Earth's layers where you will learn about plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes and the rock cycle. Let's begin our journey of the history of the Earth." Excellent

EROSION AND THE GRAND CANYON – WEBQUEST
http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/moesterle/WQ/web_quest.htm
A webquest for upper elementary/middle school students on erosion. "Do you think that you could create the Grand Canyon with your garden hose? How about erode the side of a mountain with your house fan? Sound impossible? Well it is not as hard as you think. With the right tools and about 1 million years you too can shape history! Read on to find more!" "Working in your lab groups, your task is to explore each of the activities in the process section. Your group is to follow the steps described in each activity. The group recorder should report the group findings for each activity. After you have completed all of the activities, your group will create a Power Point presentation that will incorporate your findings from each activity as well as a reflection that will tie it all together. You will then present your findings to the class by giving a slide show in Power Point." Excellent

GET READY TO ROCK AND ROLL – ROCK CYCLE WEBQUEST
http://academics.uww.edu/cni/webquest/HallOfFame/rocks/index.htm
A webquest for middle school students on the rock cycle. "You are now beginning your journey through the life of a Rock here on earth. It's going to be dangerous and a little crazy, but if you stay focused and complete this adventure you just might be able to conquer the mission at the end!" Excellent

MARVELOUS MINERALS – WEBQUEST
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/crc/webquest/minerals.html
A webquest on minerals for 3^rd grade students. "As a class, the students will discover the wonderful world of minerals. They will discover that rocks are different types of minerals. They will also be challenged to redefine some everyday items as minerals." Excellent

MT. ROCKALOT – ROCK CYCLE WEBQUEST
http://logan.k12.il.us/les27/rocks/rocktop.htm
A webquest for 4^th grade students on rocks. "You have been chosen to be part of a team of scientists that will become experts on the Rock Cycle.  You will learn about the Rock Cycle as you climb Mt. Rockalot, the tallest mountain known on the World Wide Web.  As on any mountain climb, you will climb Mt. Rockalot in stages, stopping to rest at camps.  At each camp you will be asked to perform one or more tasks before climbing again.  For your team to be successful, you must complete the tasks and post your team's flag at the top of the mountain." Excellent

ROCK AROUND THE COUNTERTOP! – WEBQUEST
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/webrocksanmr.html
A webquest on rocks and minerals for middle school students. "You have been informed that there are three basic types of rocks, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Your task is to answer the following essential question: How might you determine which rock would make a better kitchen countertop, granite, marble, or shale? You will need to develop a web essay explaining your choice for the best kitchen countertop. You will need to know all about your rock, including the type of rock it is, formation and uses." Excellent

ROCKS – WEBQUEST                            
http://www.allabery.com/courses/webquest/elliot/index.html
A webquest for 5^th grade students on rocks. "You are a college student doing very well in your geology class.  One of your classmates has went on a trip to the Europe and he has found 11 rocks.  The tour guide, who is a geologist, told him that one of the rocks is a rare form of Marble and one is a rare form of Diabase. He also told him that collectors in the United States will pay $10,000 for the marble rock and $500 for the Diabase. However, there is a $1,000 fee(per rock)and one time fee of $600 charged by customs to import rocks from foreign countries.
Your Friend has sent you detailed descriptions of the rocks,(he does not have a scanner!) and wants you to help him find out which one is Marble. He will give you $1,000 to tell him which one is marble and $25  for each rock you can name; he wants to determine which one is Diabase and if it is worth paying the fee to import and if the other nine rocks are worth importing into the United States. You are desperate need of money. Can you help him?" Excellent

ROCKS AND MINERALS DETECTIVES – WEBQUEST
http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/fellows/brannon/webquest/kmbindex.html
A webquest for upper elementary students on rocks and minerals. "Several local geologists found out that we are studying Our Changing Earth and Rocks and Minerals and have asked for our help.  They would like us to help them by becoming rocks and minerals detectives.  Our job will be to collect clues about rocks and minerals that are used in our area and to share our findings with the community in the form of a multimedia presentation." Note: We found one broken link on this site. Excellent

THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE – GEOLOGIC TIME WEBQUEST
http://westford.mec.edu/schools/Blanch/MEC%20SPRING%202000/EMERY%20QST/WebQ_Tchr.htm
A webquest on geologic time for 6^th grade students. "The students will work with a partner to research an event in history. These events occurred in the Earth's Geological History. Events are the beginning of mammals, the ice age, the dinosaurs. trilobites, etc. A time line should be placed around the classroom for the students to place finished event cards on. The finished product could be a poster, booklet, or web page time line linking each student's page to a time period." Excellent

CAVES – WEBQUEST
http://oneweb.utc.edu/~deborah-mcallister/imax/caves.htm
A webquest on caves for grades 6-8. "Right below the surface of the earth, there are thousands of caves.  Each cave is its own ecosystem with a unique beginning, formations, and life forms.  Exploring a cave can reveal how living things interact with a non-living environment. In your group, you will create a class presentation 6-8 minutes long covering all aspects of your cave topic." Very Good

MINERALS WEBQUEST
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/webmineralsmr.html
A webquest on minerals for upper elementary/ middle school students. "In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about Minerals. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom. You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic." Note: We found two broken links on this site. Very Good

ROCK VARNISH – WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE? – WEBQUEST
http://www.eduscapes.com/nature/rocvarnsh/act.htm
A webquest for upper elementary students on rock varnish. "You are a writer for Nature is Cool magazine. No one has ever written an article about rock varnish before. Most of the other writers don't care about rock varnish. They don't think rock varnish is cool.  The Mission- Convince people that rock varnish is an interesting part of nature." Very Good

ROCKS AND MINERALS WEBQUEST
http://www.lewiston.k12.id.us/dkuntz/WebQuest/WELCOME.HTM
A webquest on rocks and minerals for upper elementary students. "In this web quest, you will be learning the basic facts about rocks and minerals." Very Good

ROCKS WEBQUEST
http://schoolweb.missouri.edu/sheldon.k12.mo.us/compton/rocksmineralswq/intro.html
A webquest on rocks for grade 6. "After you return from your field trip to the construction site with your rock or mineral you will research websites to find out the type of rock  you found.  You will then perform tests on your rock to determine the name  of  your rock or mineral.  Finally, you  will  create a visual presentation about your rock to present at the Rockhound Club meeting." Very Good

BEYOND SEA LEVEL: PLATE TECTONICS – WEBQUEST
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/kearny/plate/
A webquest for grades 9-12 on plate tectonics. Consists of an introduction and four lessons each with a question and links. Good

EARTH SCIENCE WEBQUEST
http://www.davison.k12.mi.us/dms/library/cybrary/earth2.htm
A basic webquest in which students visit the sites listed and answer the fifteen questions given. Good

GRADE 3 ROCKIN’ RESEARCH – WEBQUEST
http://www.mhcbe.ab.ca/ict/CurrSup/ColourRock/colourrock2.htm
A webquest for 3^rd grade students on rocks. "You have been selected to be a member of the "Geology Foundation Research Team" to study a sample group of rocks collected from various locations around your community. You have been chosen because of your demonstrated expertise in the field of rock study. Your findings will allow the Foundation to complete its annual report." Note: Does not show any website links for students to do their research on. Good

THE RESTLESS EARTH – AN INVESTIGATION OF PLATE TECTONICS – WEBQUEST
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/hawthorne/platetectonics/
A webquest for upper elementary students on plate tectonics. "The editors of "Earth," the weekly science supplement to the "San Diego Times," are planning a series of articles and poster displays on "The Restless Earth." Your company has been hired to do the background research and to prepare poster reports that can be used as classroom displays to prove that theme. You must think about how the earth acquired its present shape. What are the forces involved? How do these forces affect the choices humans make in interacting with the earth? How will the earth's crust change in the future?" Note: We found a couple of broken links on this site. Good

WEBQUESTS IN EARTH SCIENCE
http://earthview.sdsu.edu/trees/webqest.html
A group of "webquests" on earth science topics such as topography and plate tectonics. Note: They do not follow the usual webquest format. Good

Disclaimer: We cannot check every link within each site.

Prepared by the Cumberland County AVA Center staff. Please call #856-451-0817 or email: avacenter@cumbavac.org with questions or suggestions for future web site lists. This list is also posted on our website at http://www.cumbavac.org

The site list is also posted on two other web sites:

April 2004

You are welcome to post our lists on your website. 
If you do, you must credit Carol Lyn Hutton,  Cumberland County AVA Center, Bridgeton, NJ, post the list in its entirety and link back to our site.  http://www.cumbavac.org

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