Earth Science Resources

This Astronomy Unit is focused on the sun-earth-moon system including the cyclic patterns of seasons, moon phases and eclipses.  Additional topics include the big bang, stellar evolution and solar storms.

In this Astronomy Investigation, students are asked to do the fact checking and build a case to verify or refute the accuracy of the Moon phases shown in the movie ET: The Extra Terrestrial.  

In this Astronomy exploration, students research a planet or moon in our solar system and design an alien based on the environmental factors of that world. 

In this Astronomy exploration, students are asked to create a presentation, after widespread power outages,  including a description and model depicting the cause and effects of the disturbances.

In this Astronomy project, students research a constellation to discover the myth behind the constellation and information about the stars within the constellation. 

This Geology Unit is centered on a fictional city called Quakeville.  Students must earn a federal grant, in order to fund their new government building.  This two-part process includes the grant proposal and the building design and construction.

This Geology Unit is focused on the structure of the solid earth and how has it changed over time.  

In this Geology exploration, students examine the evidence for the layers inside Earth, the properties of each layer, and learn how the Earth generates a magnetic field.

This Geology Unit is focused on the evidence fossils provide, how they are used to determine the age of Earth, and that the continents have moved.

This Weather and Climate unit is focused on what can be done to protect us from severe weather.  This includes the factors that influence weather, the conditions for severe weather, and what can be done to reduce the impact of severe weather.  

In this Severe Weather exploration, students track the path of a hurricane in order to provide the community with evacuation information.  

In this Severe Weather exploration students research forms of severe weather and develop a weather forecast to explain the formation, movement and potential damage of the storm.

In this Severe Weather exploration, students use the engineering design cycle to research building designs that can mitigate storm damage and then design and build prototypes using the project criteria and constraints.  

This Climate Unit is focused on the causes of climate change, the effects of changing climate and the stability of Earth’s climate system. 

In this Oceans and Climate exploration, students plot a course to around the world using only the prevailing winds and ocean currents, and describe climate in the area.

In this Climate exploration, students are asked to create a fictitious country that has accurate climate information. 

In this Severe Weather exploration, students must use weather data to calculate the best time to drive home, after being trapped by a winter storm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 

This Water Quality Unit focuses on humans impact on Earth's water and land resources.  This includes the location of water, water shortages, water pollution, and mitigation strategies.

This Energy Resource Unit is focused on the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and nonrenewable resources.

This Environmental Science Unit is focused on the effects of human activities on climate and water quality.  This includes how it can be understood through the analysis of interactions between the four Earth Systems.

In this Earth Science project, students work collaboratively to  create a book that is entertaining and effectively describes how the systems of Earth are all connected.