- curriculum binder
- Earth's layers model
- Earth's layers spool (bag, spool, and chalk)
- 6 tectonic plate map boards
- 6 sets of maps
- 6 compasses
- 2 slinkies
- measuring cup
- scoops (3)
- container of white quartz
- container of gravel
- food coloring
- dixie cups
- CD with Google Earth file
- 6 sets of 6 fossils
- Geologic timeline (timeline, cards, metal posts, Precambrian ribbon)
- Books and Booklets: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rocks of the World" by John Farndon, "Eyewitness: Fossil" by Dr. Paul D Taylor, "Restless Earth" by Sue Bowler, "Kaleidoscope: Fossils" by Roy A. Gallant, "Eyewitness: Volcano and Earthquake" by Susanna van Rose; "Evolution and the Fossil Record" by John Pojeta Jr and Dale A Springer
- Videos and DVDs: "Faces of the Earth" (The Science Channel)
This kit is packed with hands-on activities that illuminate the hidden processes of our planet. Learn about the Earth’s layers, the movement of tectonic plates, and earthquakes. Take a look back over geologic time and check out some fossils from key points in Earth’s history
Earth’s Layers: Explore three different representations of the Earth's layers to help students visualize the interior structure of our planet.
Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates: Use seismic data and maps to discover the locations of the planet’s tectonic plates.
Google Earth Geology Field Trip: Make California geology come to life with a virtual field trip from the coast to the Sierras.
Fun Fossils: Investigate and identify six mystery fossils. Then create an interactive geology timeline.
Amazing Amazon Basin Geology: Explore the Amazon Basin’s geologic history to learn about the geologic principles of subduction, mountain-building, erosion and sedimentation. Students make their own sedimentary rock sequence.
California Science Content Standards
We are in the process of aligning the kits with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). NGSS connections will be posted here in the near future.
- 1b. Students know earth is composed of several layers: a cold, brittle lithosphere; a hot, convecting mantle; a dense, metallic core.
- 1c. Students know lithosphere plates the size of continents and oceans move at rates of centimeters per year in response to movements in the mantle
- 1d. Students know that earthquakes are sudden motions along breaks in the crust called faults and those volcanoes and fissures are locations where magma reaches the surface
- 1e. Students know major geologic events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building, result from plate motions.
- 1g. Students know how to determine the epicenter of an earthquake and know that the effects of an earthquake on any region vary, depending on the size of the earthquake, the distance of the region from the epicenter, the local geology, and the type of construction in the region.
Investigation and Experimentation
- 7b. Select and use appropriate tools and technology (including calculators, computers, balances, spring scales, microscopes, and binoculars) to perform tests, collect data, and display data.
- 4d. Students know that evidence from geologic layers and radioactive dating indicates Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old and that life on this planet has existed for more than 3 billion years.
- 4e. Students know fossils provide evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed.
- 4g. Students know how to explain significant developments and extinctions of plant and animal life on the geologic time scale.
- Investigation and Experimentation
- 7a. Select and use appropriate tools and technology (including calculators, computers, balances, spring scales, microscopes, and binoculars) to perform tests, collect data, and display data.
- 7d. Construct scale models, maps, and appropriately labeled diagrams to communicate scientific knowledge (e.g. motion of Earth’s plates and cell structure).
Grades Nine through Twelve
- 3b. Students know the principal structures that form at the three different kinds of plate boundaries.
- 3d. Students know why and how earthquakes occur and the scales used to measure their intensity and magnitude.