This activity has 3 maps with real stratigraphic data recorded adjacent to …
This activity has 3 maps with real stratigraphic data recorded adjacent to drill holes in the Illinois Basin. Students contour the structural data. They may also contour the associated thickness data or they can just look at the trends of the thickness data relative to the structures on their completed structure map.
Once a suitable well location has been identified, permitted, and leased, the …
Once a suitable well location has been identified, permitted, and leased, the next steps for oil and natural gas development are drilling, completion, and production:
Drilling typically takes about 50-60 days. It starts with preparing the site (clearing and leveling) and setting up a drilling rig to drill a borehole and feed steel pipe into the well. Drilling mud is used to manage downhole pressures, provide information about the rock layers being drilled through, and keep the drill bit cool. Safety equipment, such as a blowout preventer, is installed to prevent oil and natural gas from being released in rare unexpected overpressure situations. Completion is a 1-5 week process where the steel pipe in the well is perforated to connect the well bore to the oil or gas reservoir. As needed, additional recovery techniques such as hydraulic fracturing (for low permeability reservoirs) or steam flooding (for thick oil) are applied. A Christmas Tree (series of valves) is installed at the top of the well. As reservoir pressure declines, a pumpjack is installed. Production from a completed well can last 50+ years. During the production step, the well is monitored, maintained, and managed. In the U.S. the mineral rights owners (individuals) typically receive royalty interest payments on the oil and natural gas produced. In most other countries, the federal government owns the mineral rights.
Student teams commit to a final decision on the location they recommend …
Student teams commit to a final decision on the location they recommend for safe underground cavern shelter for the citizens of Alabraska. They prepare and deliver final presentations to defend their final decisions to the class.
This booklet gives a brief introduction to the concept of plate tectonics …
This booklet gives a brief introduction to the concept of plate tectonics and complements the visual and written information in This Dynamic Planet, a map published in 1994 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Smithsonian Institution. The booklet highlights some of the people and discoveries that advanced the development of the theory and traces its progress since its proposal. Although the general idea of plate tectonics is now widely accepted, many aspects still continue to confound and challenge scientists. The earth-science revolution launched by the theory of plate tectonics is not finished.
Earth 101 Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality Assigned Readings by Jennifer Sliko …
Earth 101 Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality Assigned Readings by Jennifer Sliko is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
DATA: Global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) TOOLS: GeoMapApp, Spreadsheet SUMMARY: Use GeoMapApp …
DATA: Global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) TOOLS: GeoMapApp, Spreadsheet SUMMARY: Use GeoMapApp to search for evidence of glacial expansion and retreat. Produce a research report of your findings modeled on peer-reviewed papers in the field of glaciology.
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DATA: Seismic Wave Model Output. TOOLS: My World GIS, Microsoft Excel. SUMMARY: …
DATA: Seismic Wave Model Output. TOOLS: My World GIS, Microsoft Excel. SUMMARY: Examine seismic wave data in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Analyze wave velocities to infer the depth of the crust-mantle boundary.
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This is a classroom activity in which students develop understanding of the …
This is a classroom activity in which students develop understanding of the rock cycle using wax crayons to model the processes that form the 3 types of rock; sedimentary, igneous & metamorphic.
In this activity, students play the roles of "time travel agents" creating …
In this activity, students play the roles of "time travel agents" creating an advertisement for a geologic time period which has been assigned to them. They will use the Earth Science Reference Tables (available on the internet) to learn some basic facts about their assigned period. A rubric for assessing student understanding is provided.
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the basic …
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the basic elements of our Earth's crust: rocks, soils and minerals. They learn how we categorize rocks, soils and minerals and how they are literally the foundation for our civilization. Students also explore how engineers use rocks, soils and minerals to create the buildings, roads, vehicles, electronics, chemicals, and other objects we use to enhance our lives.
This is a writing assignment intended to get to students to think …
This is a writing assignment intended to get to students to think about the relevance of Earth Science to their everyday lives. Students are asked to read a short news article, selecting 1 of 3 articles provided as choices, that discusses a specific earth science topic. Students write a 1-page report summarizing the article and use the write-up to summarize their familiarity with the topics presented. Students will re-evaluate their understanding of the article and associated earth science topic at the end of the course.
This lesson discusses the interior structure of the earth as defined by …
This lesson discusses the interior structure of the earth as defined by research on the behavior of seismic waves as they move through the layers inside of the planet. The lesson details both compositional layers as well as mechanical layers.
This is a series of three lessons that focus on two and …
This is a series of three lessons that focus on two and three dimensional thinking, modeling, and earth structure. The main goal of the lessons is to develop a sense of two- and three-dimensional models of earth's surface, pros/cons and accuracy of those models, and a sense for why accuracy (and understanding inaccuracies) is important. The lessons were developed for upper-level elementary students, and include suggestions and/or links to other related resources for scaling up to middle or high school levels.
Lesson 1: Earth Surface Models in 2- and 3-Dimensions (globes vs maps) Lesson 2: Visualizing and Modeling Earth Structure in 2- and 3-Dimensions Lesson 3: Understanding Wave Motion in 2- and 3-Dimensions
Rationale: Three-dimensional thinking is difficult for students from the elementary through the college level. Introducing activities that incorporate spatial models in the elementary levels helps to create a foundation for lessons in spatial awareness and modeling.
These lessons were developed as part of NSF CSEDI grant #1458184, awarded to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 2014-2017, in collaboration with Abigail Christensen and Alexis Miller (UWW education students, 2016-17).
Rapid changes at Earth's surface, largely in response to human activity, have …
Rapid changes at Earth's surface, largely in response to human activity, have led to the realization that fundamental questions remain to be answered regarding the natural functioning of the Critical Zone, the thin veneer at Earth's surface where the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere interact. EARTH 530 will introduce you to the basics necessary for understanding Earth surface processes in the Critical Zone through an integration of various scientific disciplines. Those who successfully complete EARTH 530 will be able to apply their knowledge of fundamental concepts of Earth surface processes to understanding outstanding fundamental questions in Critical Zone science and how their lives are intimately linked to Critical Zone health.
Elementary school lessons utilize local phenomenon and are organized by grade level. …
Elementary school lessons utilize local phenomenon and are organized by grade level. By organizing instruction around local phenomenon, students are provided with a reason to learn shifting the focus from learning about a disconnected topic to figuring out why or how something happens. #Going 3D with GRC
Our planet is becoming hot. In fact, Earth may be warming faster …
Our planet is becoming hot. In fact, Earth may be warming faster than ever before. This warming will challenge society throughout the 21st century. How do we cope with rising seas? How will we prepare for more intense hurricanes? How will we adapt to debilitating droughts and heat waves? Scientists are striving to improve predictions of how the environment will change and how it will impact humans. Earth in the Future: Predicting Climate Change and Its Impacts Over the Next Century is designed to provide the state of the art of climate science, the impact of warming on humans, as well as ways we can adapt. Every student will understand the challenges and opportunities of living in the 21st century.
Our planet is becoming hot. In fact, Earth may be warming faster …
Our planet is becoming hot. In fact, Earth may be warming faster than ever before. This warming will challenge society throughout the 21st century. How do we cope with rising seas? How will we prepare for more intense hurricanes? How will we adapt to debilitating droughts and heat waves? Scientists are striving to improve predictions of how the environment will change and how it will impact humans. Earth in the Future: Predicting Climate Change and Its Impacts Over the Next Century is designed to provide the state of the art of climate science, the impact of warming on humans, as well as ways we can adapt. Every student will understand the challenges and opportunities of living in the 21st century.
The earthquake game teaches how scientists learn about real earthquakes. The player …
The earthquake game teaches how scientists learn about real earthquakes. The player must learn about S& P waves and triangulation to determine the epicenter of the earthquake that hit the cities.
An engineering and design lesson for middle school (our 7th grade standards). …
An engineering and design lesson for middle school (our 7th grade standards).
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, can you engineer a device that will keep medicine within a 40-60°F range using natural resources from the biome you live in, and/or debris created by the disaster for three days, until the Red Cross can arrive?
You are a team of relief workers in __________________after a major earthquake/tsunami has occurred. Your team lead as just told you about a young women with diabetes has been injured and needs insulin to be delivered __________ miles away (no open roads). Your team will need to research, design, and build a portable device to keep the insulin between _____ and ______ °(F/C) for _____ days. Once you return you will present the effectiveness of your device to your lead and a team other relief workers showing your both your design/device and explaining the process.
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