In this jigsaw-method activity on subduction zone volcanism, students apply lessons learned from four historic eruptions to the volcanic hazards associated with Mt. Rainier in the Pacific Northwest.
Through a higher-order integration of concepts and observations, students can combine information from several field labs, all discussed in the Starting Point collection, to construct an overall geologic history of the local region. This site details the learning goals, teaching notes and materials, method of assessment, and context of use of this lab. It also provides links to additional references and resources.
This exercise contains two interrelated modules that introduce students to modern biological techniques in the area of Bioinformatics, which is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. The need for Bioinformatics has arisen from the recent explosion of publicly available genomic information, such as that resulting from the Human Genome Project.
This laboratory activity gives an example of the creativity required when teaching non-native rock types. In order to study igneous and metamorphic rocks in central Florida (a huge area consisting solely of sedimentary rock), geology students examined building stones in downtown St. Petersburg. Each student picked a particular rock type used in a particular way (structure, decorative facade, etc.), performed geologic tests on it, read up on its properties, history, and uses, and prepared a paper on it. Part of the way through the project, the entire class held a walking tour, during which each students' building (and its stones) were visited, and the student studying that type of stone told the class what they had found out about it. Building on this context of use, this website describes learning goals, teaching notes and materials, methods of assessment, and additional reference and resource links for this field lab.
This field exercise determines the susceptibility of different rocks to weathering, and, using the dates on the tombstones, estimates some weathering rates. Placing the field lab in context for use, this site describes the learning goals, teaching notes and materials, assessment recommendations, and provides links to other resources and references.
This activity is designed to compare and contrast the anatomy of the leg bones of a bird vs. a human.
In this biology inquiry lab, students study evolutionary relationships by making observations of preserved animal specimens, developing a question, then investigating by dissecting the specimens provided.
Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Identify which letter corresponds most closely to the formation of Earth. a. C ...
Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Identify which letter corresponds most closely to the extinction of the ...
Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Identify which letter corresponds most closely to the first appearance in the ...
Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Identify which letter corresponds most closely to the age of the oldest known ...
Match the features in the relative time diagram below with the events described in the short sentences. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. What is the best estimate of the age of F if A is ...
The dark reactions of photosynthesis (Calvin Cycle) are presented in this learning experience to show where these processes take place in the plant as well as the specific reactions involved.
In this activity, students are presented with two objects that have different constant speeds and that will race each other. The students must determine which object will win the race, as well as either how much time elapses between the objects crossing the finish line.
This lab studies glacial deposits to determine where glaciers come from, how they deposit material, and what glaciation records tell us about glacial processes. Building a context for its use, including links to related field labs, this website details the learning goals of this lab. It includes teaching notes and materials, as assessment recommendation, and links to additional resources and references.
This lesson explains the application of relative dating for volcanic features in the ocean.
SSAC Physical Volcanology module. Students build spreadsheets to estimate melt density at high temperatures and pressures from the thermodynamic properties of silicates.
The Ideas for Resources: Geology Lab Manual is highlighted as part of the Starting Point Teaching Collection. This site contains a partially-fleshed-out list of questions and situations dealing with water, minerals, and public policy intended to be incorporated into role-playing activities. It is designed to accompany a course on resource geology or environmental geology. Its message is that access to geological resources depends upon a complex interplay between economic, political, legal, environmental, and geological factors. The suggested exercises require students to gather at least some of the data needed to play their roles. This website describes the learning goals and context of use of this exercise. It also provides teaching notes, a list of necessary teaching materials, assessment hints and additional resources.
This is a 2-unit Service Learning option associated with the "Special Topics: The History, Geology, and Ecology of Monterey Bay" course. Students will learn about Monterey Bay in the special topics course and will share their knowledge with K-12 grade children at local schools by participating in the Virtual Canyon Project.
This activity is a lab activity where students grow two radish seeds, and manipulate a variable that may affect the germination time and growth of the radish seed.