Objective: To simulate thunder and in doing so, learn why and how it happens in Earth’s atmosphere. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (atmospheric composition and properties at different elevations; clouds-formation and impact on weather and climate), Energy in the Earth System (heating of earth’s surface and atmosphere drives weather; global weather and climate as influenced by cloud cover…
Author: Peter Paul
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What are the properties of warm air?
Objective: To demonstrate the properties of air when it is warmed. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (atmospheric composition and properties at different elevations), Energy in the Earth System (heating of Earth’s surface and atmosphere drives weather and ocean currents; convective circulation), Properties of Objects and Materials (object properties: temperature), Transfer of Energy (energy types, characteristics, and transfer properties;…
Air pressure and its effects
Objective: To demonstrate air pressure and its effects and influences on surrounding materials. Standards: Structure of Earth System (atmospheric composition and properties at different elevations) and Structure and Properties of Matter (properties of solids, liquids, and gases). Materials: large index card, glass or cup, and water. Procedure: (1) Fill the glass with water (you will have to adjust…
Difference between weathering and erosion
Objective: To illustrate the differences between weathering and erosion and to strengthen understanding of these concepts. Standards: Changes in Earth and Sky (slow erosion, weathering) and Properties of Earth Materials (physical and chemical properties of rocks and soils). Materials: Enough bite – sized Snickers candies for all students in the classroom. Procedure: (1) Pass out one bite…
Concepts of exponential radioactive decay
Objective: To demonstrate the concepts of exponential radioactive decay and half life in a hands – on and graphical manner. Standards: Energy in the Earth System (internal sources of energy – radioactive decay) and Origin and Evolution of the Earth System (geologic dating methods). Materials: One hundred pennies and a container to hold the pennies. Procedure: (1)…
Processes of mid ocean ridge formation
Objective: To demonstrate the processes of mid ocean ridge formation. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (plate tectonics and its relation to volcanoes, mountain building, and earthquakes) and Energy in the Earth System (convective circulation in the mantle that propels plate tectonics). Materials: Two graham crackers and peanut butter. Procedure: (1) Place two graham crackers against each…
Forces that cause earthquakes
Objective: To demonstrate the forces that cause earthquakes, the tension that can build up at earthquake faults, and the ensuing debris produced at a fault. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (plate tectonics and its relation to earthquakes) and Transfer of Energy (energy types, characteristics, and transfer properties). Materials: One half of a graham cracker (one cracker…
Fractures in earth’s crust
Objective: To learn how fractures in earth’s crust develop by pulling on the edges of a slice of cheese. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (plate tectonics and its relation to volcanoes, mountain building, and earthquakes). Materials: Pre-sliced pieces of American cheese Procedure: (1) Make a small cut parallel to the edge of the cheese slice, in…
Earthquakes are tot your fault
Objective: To demonstrate a dip – slip and strike – slip fault movement. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (plate tectonics and its relation to volcanoes, mountain building, and earthquakes). Materials: three similarly sized hardcover books Procedure: (1) Hold the three books firmly together with the book spines facing upward and bring them close to your chest….
How rocks inside earth changed due to heat, pressure and folding?
Objective: To demonstrate how rocks inside the earth can be changed due to heat, pressure and folding. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (layering and properties of earth’s internal structure; the rock cycle) and Transfer of Energy (energy types, characteristics, and transfer properties). Materials: wire coat hanger and candle Procedure: (1) In preparation to this experiment, unhook or…
Properties of soil
Objective: To learn about properties of soils and how their contents relate to the principle of density and sedimentation. Standards: Properties of Earth Materials (physical and chemical properties of rocks and soils; soil properties), Structure of the Earth System (layering and properties of earth’s internal structure; soil properties: biotic, physical, and chemical; biotic influence on rock formation and weathering),…
Physical properties of porous rock
Objective: To learn about the physical properties of porous rock types. Standards: Properties of Earth Materials (physical and chemical properties of rocks and soils). Materials: Various porous rocks, a shallow baking pan or plugged sink, and water. Procedure: (1) Place the porous rocks in the baking pan or plugged sink. (2) Pour in enough water to…
How magnet always orient towards the north and south pole?
Objective: To demonstrate how magnets will always orient themselves towards the north and south poles. Standards: Light, Heat, Electricity, and Magnetism (magnets attract and repel each other and certain kinds of other materials), and Conservation of Energy and Increase in Disorder (kinetic energy, potential energy, energy contained by a field like electromagnetic energy). Materials: bar magnet and a long…
Chemical properties of rocks
Objective: To quickly be able to test rock specimens and identify them and to also learn about the chemical properties of rocks. Standards: Properties of Earth Materials (physical and chemical properties of rocks). Materials: small sampling of various rocks including limestone or marble and two ounces (60 mL) of lemon juice (or vinegar). Procedure: (1) Pour lemon…
Law of Superposition and its importance in science
Objective: To teach the scientific principle of the Law of Superposition and its importance in science. Standards: Properties of Earth Materials (fossil properties; historical significance), Earth’s History (uniformitarianism and catastrophism; fossils show how life and environmental conditions have changed), Origin and Evolution of the Earth System (geologic dating methods), and Understandings About Scientific Inquiry (scientists use scientific explanations until they…
How to use P and S waves time difference during an earthquake to calculate epicenter distance?
Objective: To understand the difference in travel times of P and S waves during an earthquake and to know how to use this time difference to calculate epicenter distance. Standards: Structure of Earth System (layering and properties of Earth’s internal structure; plate tectonics and its relation to earthquakes), Transfer of Energy (energy types, characteristics, and transfer properties), and…
How properties of seismic waves leads to composition of earth’s interior?
Objective: To demonstrate how understanding the properties of seismic waves leads to understanding the composition of earth’s interior. Standards: Properties of Earth Materials (physical and chemical properties of rocks and soils, water, and gas), Structure of Earth System (layering and properties of Earth’s internal structure; plate tectonics and its relation to earthquakes), Transfer of Energy (energy types, characteristics, and…
Waves produced by earthquakes
Objective: To introduce the topic of seismic waves produced by earthquakes. Standards: Structure of the Earth System (plate tectonics and its relation to earthquakes), Transfer of Energy (energy types, characteristics, and transfer properties), and Interaction of Energy and Matter (waves have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter). Materials: Pieces of cardboard and a large…
Designing Minerals with Legos
Objective: To stress and reinforce the importance of mineral structure. Standards: Properties of Earth Materials (physical and chemical properties of rocks and minerals). Materials: Sixteen Lego pieces of the same color and shape, two students. Procedure: (1) Give eight Lego blocks to a student on one side of the room and give the other eight to another…
Motions of waves and the mediums through which they travel
Objective of this demonstration is to kinesthetically learn about the motions of waves and the mediums through which they travel. Standards: Position and Motion of Objects (object position and motion change; sound production by vibration), Motions and Forces (inertia with moving objects), and Interactions of Energy and Matter (waves possessing energy and transferring it through interaction with matter). Materials:…