Students are introduced to the fabulous planet on which they live. Even though we spend our entire lives on Earth, we still do not always understand how it fits into the rest of the solar system. Students learn about the Earth's position in the solar system and what makes it unique. They learn how engineers study human interactions with the Earth and design technologies and systems to monitor, use and care for our planet's resources wisely to preserve life on Earth.

The world's leaders have committed to creating a Global Earth Observing System - a massive network to provide a continuous and comprehensive picture of the Earth and its environment. This "system of systems" would provide an understanding of changing conditions on our Planet and support decision-making affecting the world's economy. Dr. Charles Kennel, Director of SIO, will describe the U.S. contributions to this international initiative and will talk about the extensive Earth observing capabilities at SIO. (59 minutes)

How is EarthŐs magnetic field important to making our Planet habitable? Where does it come from, and how quickly does it change? Join Geophysicist Cathy Constable as she delves into these and other questions about one of EarthŐs most dynamic features, the magnetosphere. Learn how research at Scripps is contributing to our ever-growing understanding of EarthŐs magnetism. (58 minutes)

Dr. Kerry Key discusses electromagnetic exploration techniques in the study of the earth's upper crust and mantle at mid-ocean ridges. (43 minutes)

Join Scripps Institution of OceanographyŐs Robert Pinkel as he provides a window into the cold world of Arctic oceanography and illustrates how the interplay between sea ice and ocean circulation impacts Earth's climate. (51 minutes)

Charles Kennel explores how the convergence of earth science, biology, and social science through the use of information technology can lead to continuous awareness of Earth's systems, enabling coordinated responses to the global environmental challenges that face us now and in the future. (58 minutes)

Join Lisa Tauxe as she describes her research into the long-term behavior of Earth's magnetic field. (42 minutes)

Presentation on how landformsare are created on Earth, other planets and our Moon. Supports Planetary Landforms Lesson and Learning Lab

Lesson on how landforms are created on Earth, other planets and our Moon. Supports Planetary Landforms Lesson and Learning Lab

Plate Tectonics Introduction and Difference between crust and lithosphere. Created by Sal Khan.

Students observe an in-classroom visual representation of a volcanic eruption. The water-powered volcano demonstration is made in advance, using sand, hoses and a waterballoon, representing the main components of all volcanoes. During the activity, students observe, measure and sketch the volcano, seeing how its behavior provides engineers with indicators used to predict an eruption.

A geoinquiry where students consider place-based hazards using remotely sensed data.

The Earth Science GeoInquiry collection contains 15 free, web-mapping activities that correspond and extend map-based concepts in leading middle school Earth science textbooks. The activities use a standard inquiry-based instructional model, require only 15 minutes for a teacher to deliver, and are device agnostic. The activities harmonize with the Next Generation Science Standards. Activity topics include:

Through five lessons, students are introduced to all facets of the rock cycle. Topics include rock and mineral types, material stresses and weathering, geologic time and fossil formation, the Earth's crust and tectonic plates, and soil formation and composition. Lessons are presented in the context of the related impact on humans in the form of roadway and tunnel design and construction, natural disasters, environmental site assessment for building structures, and measurement instrumentation and tools. Hands-on activities include experiencing tensional, compressional and shear material stress by using only hand force to break bars of soap; preparing Jeopardy-type trivia questions/answers for a class game that reinforces students' understanding of rocks and the rock cycle; creating "fossils" using melted chocolate; working within design constraints to design and build a model tunnel through a clay mountain; and soil sampling by creating tools, obtaining soil cores, documenting a soil profile log, and analyzing the findings to make engineering predictions.

Rocks cover the earth's surface, including what is below or near human-made structures. With rocks everywhere, breaking rocks can be hazardous and potentially disastrous to people. Students are introduced to three types of material stress related to rocks: compressional, torsional and shear. They learn about rock types (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic), and about the occurrence of stresses and weathering in nature, including physical, chemical and biological weathering.

This activity will help students understand Earth's rotation and the causes for day and night.

This animation adapted from NASA shows the orbital paths of spacecraft in NASA's Earth Observing Fleet that are a source of wide-scale, primary research about Earth.

Students gain an understanding of the layers of the Earth by designing and building clay models.

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In this activity you'll see how the sun's tilt on its axis changes the length of shadows. For example, why is your shadow longer in winter than in summer? It's easy to see the answer if you have a "sun" and an orbiting "earth" to demonstrate. Like many other ancient people, the ancient Chacoans used the annual changes in shadows to measure the passage of time and the change in seasons. You can too!