Photographs for Earth Science Topics

Marli Bryant Miller has provided a collection of geology images that you can download and use. They will make a great addition to presentations. CLICK HERE to view the collection. If you are looking for a particular image, try the search feature. This photo is of the Purcell Sill in Glacier National Park. The sill, which can be seen throughout the park, stands out in contrast to the sedimentary rock above and below it.

Another great source is The Earth Science World Image Bank, which is a service provided by the American Geological Institute (AGI). This Image Bank is designed to provide quality geoscience images to the public, educators, and the geoscience community.

Another source is the Earth Science Picture of the Day web site, which also provides a "search" feature to help you find what you are looking for. A similar Astronomy Picture of the Day web site is also available.

Amazing Cloud Demonstration

This dramatic demonstration shows students why meteorologists spend so much time talking about areas of high and low pressure. It helps students understand the relationship between rising air, low pressure, expansion, cooling below the dew point, and cloud formation.

BE CAREFUL! If you are not comfortable using rubbing alcohol, fill the jar with hot water and let it set for 10 minutes, then dump almost all of the water out. This will provide air that is humid enough (in the jar) to do the demonstration for several minutes. I like to use rubbing alcohol because I can do the demo all day without messing with filling and emptying the jar with hot water 5 times during the day.

Volcano World Web Site

Volcano World is neat place to find all sorts of information about volcanoes. According to webmaster Stephanie Grocke, "Volcano World was founded by Dr. Chuck Wood in 1995. Since that time over fifty professionals and hundreds of students have contributed content or time to Volcano World". The web site is hosted by the Department of Geosciences at Oregon State University and kept alive by ongoing volunteer efforts. CLICK HERE to go the the homepage or HERE to see the site map, which provides links to all sorts of interesting stuff related to volcanoes, such as "Volcano Factoids" (my personal favorite). Photo courtesy of the USGS.

Convection: The Straw that Stirs the Drink

As you know, convection plays a major role in Earth systems. Here is video that shows a colorful way for students to cause convection . . . and then watch as it happens. The video shows the second part of a two-part activity that helps students understand the role convection plays in causing wind. Both parts, as well as the student handout, are included in a kit available from WARD's. CLICK HERE to see the kit, which also includes an activity related to ocean currents. CLICK HERE to watch a video of that activity. The student handouts (one for the wind lab, and the other for the ocean currents lab) challenge students to apply what they have observed to wind and ocean currents in a way that contributes to a deeper understanding of these Earth systems.

30 Earth Science PowerPoints

The New York Science Teacher is one of the best resources for Earth Science teachers PERIOD! The goal of "New York Science Teacher" is to create a central point where all Science Teachers can come to access the vast resources created by other teachers. Christopher Sheehan is the webmaster for this amazing site. CLICK HERE to access the 30 Earth Science PowerPoint presentations that were created by teachers and posted by Sheehan.

U.S.G.S. Water Science for Schools

Some of the most important issues facing communities throughout the world are problems related to water quality and quantity. Earth Science teachers play an important role in helping future adults understand water systems so that they can make sound decisions about this important resource. The USGS has provided a multitude of resources on their "Water Science for Schools" web site to help us do this. The site is well-organized and very user-friendly. CLICK HERE to see what it has to offer.

Radiometric Dating Resources

Since I teach in Montana, I use "bison kill sites" as a context for introducing students to radiometric dating. I have developed an assignment that has students use certain web sites to figure out answers. CLICK HERE to print a copy. First, I explain some of the background as we work through Part A of the worksheet together. Next, I help them get started on the graph (Part B). CLICK HERE to see what the graph should look like when they are finished. Finally, students finish Parts B and C on their own as homework.

As they are working at home, the worksheet instructs them to go to www.formontana.net/jump.html where they find links to sites such as Virtual Dating and others needed to finish the worksheet. I haven't provided a key because I want you to work through it before having your students do it. Even if it's not something you're interested in, take a look at the "Virtual Dating" site. . . No, it's not that kind of dating!

Photo courtesy of Montana Historical Society: The diorama, which depicts the First Peoples Buffalo Jump west of Great Falls, is on display in the society's museum in Helena, Montana.

Reminder: Watch NOVA on Wednesday, February 1 on PBS. The title this week is Ice Age Death Trap.