4.26
Project Earth Science: Geology.
Brent A. Ford. Project Earth Science series. Arlington, Va.: National Science Teachers Association, 1996.
Program Overview
The Project Earth Science series consists of 4 volumes for students in middle and junior high school. Each volume focuses on a single area in earth science--astronomy, geology, meteorology, or physical oceanography--and contains a collection of hands-on activities and a series of readings related to the topic area. The central theme of the series is the uniqueness of the earth among the planets in the solar system.
Curriculum Guide
Recommended grade level:
6-8+.
Project Earth Science: Geology contains 15 hands-on activities and a set of 4 background readings designed to introduce students to the unifying theory of plate tectonics and how this concept can be used to explain the occurrences of volcanoes, earthquakes, and other geologic phenomena. The activities are constructed around 4 basic concepts: (1) the earth's surface is composed of plates that can move independently of one another, (2) tectonic plates move because they "ride" on a rock layer called the asthenosphere, (3) tectonic motion and mechanisms are studied indirectly by investigating a variety of geologic features and events on and near the earth's surface, and (4) rocks and minerals are products of complex geological processes. An understanding of the concept of density is required for several of the activities.
Among the activities in the unit, students use maps and data tables to look for patterns in the frequency and distribution of earthquakes around the world, and they construct paper models that illustrate seafloor spreading. Students also experiment with models of convection cells in water, and they compare the ability of various construction designs to withstand the effects of an earthquake.
The set of 4 background readings--on plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and rocks and minerals--elaborates on concepts presented in the activities. The readings are intended to enhance teacher preparation or to serve as resources for students interested in further study.
Each activity in Project Earth Science: Geology includes student pages that can be duplicated and a teacher's guide. The student pages contain background information, directions, and a set of questions to guide the students as they draw conclusions. The teacher's section contains more detailed background information, preparation tips, and suggestions for interdisciplinary study and extensions. Appendixes include a master materials list and an annotated bibliography.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; change, constancy, and measurement.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Transfer of energy.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE: Structure of the earth system; earth's history.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Understandings about science and technology.
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES: Natural hazards.
HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE: Nature of science.
Price:
$21.95 (ISBN 0-87355-131-1).
Publisher/supplier:
National Science Teachers Association.
Materials:
Available locally, or from commercial suppliers.
Topic Index listings linked to this entry
Use these listings to find related entries.
Density, Physical Sciences: Exploring Physical Science, ~ Introductory Physical Science, ~ Matter: Building Block of the Universe, ~ Motion, Forces, and Energy, ~ Changes in Matter, ~ Chemical Interactions, ~ Discovering Density, ~ Experiments with Balloons, ~ Floaters and Sinkers: Mass, Volume, and Density, ~ Fun with Chemistry: A Guidebook of K-12 Activities. Vol. 1, ~ The Fusion Series: Personal Science Laboratory (PSL) Explorer Investigations for Grades 6-9, ~ Project SEED: Sourcebook of Demonstrations, Activities, and Experiments, ~ Science Projects about Chemistry, ~ Targeting Students' Science Misconceptions: Physical Science Concepts Using the Conceptual Change Model, ~ Using the Learning Cycle to Teach Physical Science: A Hands-on Approach for the Middle Grades, Earth Sciences: Exploring Planet Earth, Earth Science Investigations, Multi & Applied Sciences: The Local Environment, ~ Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Seventh Grade, ~ Science Interactions: Course 2, ~ SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Blue.
Earth, Physical Sciences: Project SEED: Sourcebook of Demonstrations, Activities, and Experiments, Earth Sciences: Earth and Beyond, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, Blue Planet, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Earthquakes, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Earth Processes, ~ Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes, Blue Planet, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ Measuring Earthquakes, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Science Experiments: Earth Science, Multi & Applied Sciences: Integrated Science: Book Two, ~ Investigating Patterns of Change, ~ Science Interactions: Course 1, ~ Science Interactions: Course 2, ~ Scientific Theories, ~ Super Science Activities: Favorite Lessons from Master Teachers.
Geology, Earth Sciences: Exploring Earth Science, ~ Geology Lab, Earthy Things, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Science Experiments: Earth Science, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science 2000: Grade 6, ~ Forecasting the Future: Exploring Evidence for Global Climate Change, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
Maps, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Planet Earth, ~ Landforms, ~ Earth's Solid Crust, Finding Your Way: Navigation Activities from the Exploratorium, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Student Activities in Meteorology (SAM), Multi & Applied Sciences: Investigating Patterns of Change.
Minerals, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Earth's Solid Crust, Rocks and Minerals, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ Using Earth's Resources: What Are the Tradeoffs?, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, Multi & Applied Sciences: Prime Science: Level B, ~ Science Interactions: Course 2.
Models, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Matter: Building Block of the Universe, ~ Chemical Interactions, ~ Experimenting with Model Rockets, ~ Inventor's Lab, ~ Newton's Toy Box, ~ Experiments with Balloons, ~ Experiments with Motion, ~ LEGO Technic I Activity Center, ~ Machines, ~ Science Experiments: Chemistry and Physics, ~ Simple and Motorized Machines Activity Pack, ~ Soap Films and Bubbles, ~ Structures, Life Sciences: Glencoe Life Science, ~ Heredity: The Code of Life, ~ DNA--From Genes to Proteins, ~ Food, Energy, and Growth, ~ From Genes to Jeans: An Activity-Based Unit on Genetic Engineering and Agriculture, ~ The Human Body: How Can I Maintain and Care for Myself?, ~ An Introduction to Biotechnology: Book 2, ~ Life Changes through Time, ~ You and Your Body, ~ Zebra Mussel Mania, ~ The Molecular Model of DNA and Its Replication Kit, ~ Order and Diversity in the Living World: Teaching Taxonomy and Systematics in Schools, Environmental Sciences: Plastics in Our Lives, ~ Water: Can We Keep It Fit for Life?, ~ Environmental Issues: Intermediate, ~ Environmental Resource Guide: Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention, ~ Global Awareness for Students (GAS): Studies in Climate, ~ H2O Below: An Activity Guide for Groundwater Study, ~ STV: Water, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ Earth Processes, ~ Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes, ~ The Moons of Jupiter, River Cutters, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Earthy Things, ~ Hands-On Geology: K-12 Activities and Resources, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, ~ A Sedimentary Geologists' Guide to Helping K-12 Earth Science Teachers: Hints, Ideas, Activities and Resources, Multi & Applied Sciences: Models and Designs, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Energy Transformations: Fourth Module in Bio-Related Technologies Unit, ~ Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight, ~ How Telecommunication Works: How People Use Energy to Communicate, ~ If Shipwrecks Could Talk, ~ JASON IV Curriculum: Baja California Sur, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars, ~ Packaging, ~ A Sunken Ship, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ Technology Science Mathematics Connection Activities, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
Plate tectonics, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Earth Processes, ~ Earthquake!, Volcano!, Multi & Applied Sciences: Integrated Science: Book Two, ~ Investigating Patterns of Change, ~ Science 2000: Science 1 (Grade 7), ~ Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8), ~ JASON VI: Island Earth, Hawai'i Expedition Curriculum, ~ Super Science Activities: Favorite Lessons from Master Teachers.
Rocks, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Earth's Solid Crust, ~ Geology Lab, Rocks and Minerals, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Hands-On Geology: K-12 Activities and Resources, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ A Sedimentary Geologists' Guide to Helping K-12 Earth Science Teachers: Hints, Ideas, Activities and Resources, Multi & Applied Sciences: Integrated Science: Book One, ~ Investigating Patterns of Change, ~ Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Prime Science: Level B, ~ Earth and Physical Science: Content and Learning Strategies, ~ Science Is . . .
Seafloor spreading, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science Interactions: Course 3.
Tectonic plate, Earth Sciences: Earthquakes, ~ The Evolution of a Planetary System, Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, Multi & Applied Sciences: SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Green.
Volcanoes, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, Volcano!, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, Multi & Applied Sciences: Integrated Science: Book Two, ~ Investigating Patterns of Change, ~ Science Interactions: Course 1, ~ Science Interactions: Course 2, ~ JASON VI: Island Earth, Hawai'i Expedition Curriculum, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ Thematic Applications: Sciences II.
