Lab Safety, Scientific Method, General Science Skills
Reinforce information
- Scientific Method- Have questions about the steps of the scientific method? What about how to conduct your own experiment? This link will walk you through how to make a science fair project. Feel free to explore the rest of the site- it's great!
- Scientific Notation Game- Solve the problem and then move the spider over the correct color bug to see if you got the answer correct
- Why do we measure things in miles, gallons, etc?- Read this short article to find out why we measure things how we do
History of Astronomy
Reinforce information
- What is a galaxy?- Student-friendly explanation of a galaxy with great visuals
- Big Bang Theory- Student-friendly explanation of this THEORY with great visuals
- What is gravity?- Student-friendly explanation of gravity with an animation
- GAMES!!!- Games about various aspects of Earth science, but mostly astronomy.
- Google sky- This site allows you to explore the universe. You can see the constellations, planets and other stars.
- Stellarium- Click "Try the Web Version" Want to know what the sky looks like through a telescope at any point on Earth? This free download is a cool software that will allow you to do just that!
- Where did it all come from?- This youtube video from National Geographic will give more details about the Big Bang Theory (not the tv show)
- Dark matter- Student-friendly explanation of dark matter
- Black hole- A short video explaining black holes
- Astrobiology graphic novels- NASA has created several issues of a graphic history series
- What's the difference between a star and a planet?- This short video from Fun Science Demos will explain using visuals
Planets of Our Solar System
Reinforce information
- Mars exploration- Check out Olympus Mons!
- Distance to Mars- "See" how far the moon is from Earth and then how far it is to Mars- it's a very cool animation. Be patient, though- it's a long way to Mars!
- Tour our solar system- Click "launch" then click on the labels to learn more about the objects in our solar system- some include short videos (note: the picture is not to scale)
- Solar system interactive- Play around with the AU distance and turn on/off objects in our solar system to visualize how objects move through our solar system
- NASA- The NASA website has a TON of information. Take some time just browsing around the site- the pictures are incredible too!
- NASA- planets- This NASA site is all about the planets.
- Want to know more?- The IAU is the group that determines the definitions of things, such as a "planet" (they are responsible for voting Pluto out of planetary status). Their site has some interesting things on it, so just browse.
- Weekly night sky- Did you ever wonder what the objects are that you see in the night sky? Did you know those objects change throughout the year? Check out this week's celestial objects visible from our position on Earth
- Can we live on Mars?- This site is for educators, but there are some great videos (look on the right as you go down the page) and good activities (look on the left) that can help give you some perspective on this question
Earth's Tilt and Small Bodies in Space
Reinforce information
- Song about the moon- Song to the tune of Forget You by Cee Lo Green
- Motion of sun in sky- This animation is interactive so you can see the position of the sun at different locations on the earth during different times of the year.
- Moon phases practice- Practice labeling the moon phases and putting them in order.
- Impact crater- Watch in slow motion what happens when an impact crater is being made.
- Angle of orbits- Play around with this interactive to see the orbital angles of various objects orbiting our sun
- Solar system interactive- Play around with the AU distance and turn on/off objects in our solar system to visualize how objects move through our solar system. Turn on dwarf planets by checking the box.
- What a year on Earth really looks like- Want to know more? This video explains in more detail what one year on Earth looks like.
- Moon phase and libration- Ever wonder why the moon appears to wobble over the months? Play around with this interactive to discover how the moon moves along with the phases.
Atmosphere
Reinforce information
- Climate vs. weather- Explore this site for the basics or even more information regarding climate and weather- they are NOT the same thing!
- A Year in the Life of CO2- The top video will explain what you observe as you watch the animated satellite images of CO2 over one year
- Coriolis Effect and currents- brief explanation of currents and the Coriolis Effect (click on the pictures for more detail)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration- explore this government site for all sorts of information
- Ozone layer- What is the ozone layer? How does it form? What is happening with the hole in the ozone layer? Click "view" to see a video that explains this. You will have to create a login, but it is free.
- El Nino- NOAA's page about El Nino.
- How much do clouds weigh?- This article answers the question of, "How much do clouds weigh?" There is also a button to hear an audio recording of the article if you prefer to listen to it.
- Ozone Q&A- click on the question you want answered and it'll take you to a one-page explanation
- Air pressure- provides a visual and explanation of why air pressure changes depending on elevation
- Cloud lab- explore what this GPB Nova site has to offer (click "challenge" and then which section you want to investigate)
Weather
Reinforce information
- How to read surface weather maps- This page explains what the different symbols on weather maps stand for.
- Why do we experience weather and how can we predict it?- This site uses short videos to explain just this. A login is required for this site, but it is free.
- Hurricanes- This site explains the life cycle, parts, stages, tracking, categories, effects and preparation for hurricanes in a very kid-friendly way.
- Storm and emergency safety guide- This page gives a brief description of hazardous weather conditions and offers links to click on to get safety information about them.
- Staying safe during severe weather- This site includes earthquakes which is NOT a part of weather, but it is useful information (especially if you live on a fault line!) when playing outside.
- National Weather Service- winter weather- Explore the links and videos on this site to learn all about winter weather, warnings/watches, and how to stay safe during extreme winter weather
- Tornadoes- Practice using the Fujita Scale to assign ratings for pictures from actual tornadoes- click "launch interactive"
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration- Explore this government site about ocean and atmospheric sciences.
- Weather and health- Did you ever wonder how different weather conditions impact your health? This site shows short videos to explain just this. A login is required for this site, but it is free.
- Hurricanes- This site provides information on the life cycle of a hurricane, intensity of hurricanes and hurricane safety/preparedness. The information is presented with brief descriptions, diagrams and animations. A login is required for this site, but it is free.
- Hurricanes: Science and Society- Explore this site for more than just how hurricanes are formed.
- Meteorologist Chrissy Warrilow's youtube site- Ms. Warrilow comes every year to speak to the whole 6th grade about weather. Preview some of her work and stay up-to-date on current weather conditions
- Storm prediction center- This government site stays on top of any severe weather that may occur in the US
- Animated current weather map- Click to view animated weather maps including radar, satellite, temperature, dew point, wind chill and heat.
- Storm surge- This is actual video taken by a survivor of the storm surge caused by Typhoon Haiyan
- Impact of El Nino- explore this compilation of links on the varying types of impacts of El Nino
- Hail- an article from the Washington Post shows pictures and videos of the large hail that hit an area in Texas
- Explore various topics/links- scroll down to see a list of links that'll explain everything from types of clouds to the basics of storm spotting. Thank you to Ms. Spivey's student, Alexa, for finding and sharing this resource with us!
- Different types of fog- watch this short video on the different types of fog and how it's created
- Different types of thunderstorms- watch this short video on the different types of thunderstorms
Earth's Waters
Reinforce information
- What is the water cycle?- This site will walk you through the steps of the water cycle
- Where is Earth's water and what are the properties of the water cycle?- This site uses diagrams, short descriptions and animations to explain the different parts of the water cycle and the location and properties of Earth's water. A login is required for this site, but it is free.
- Drainage basin animation- What happens to water after it rains? This animation includes audio and will explain the answer the that question. A login is required, but it is free and worth it!
- Watersheds and their properties- This site uses short videos and diagrams to explain watersheds and their properties. Make sure you allow pop-ups from this site. You will also need a login, but it is free.
- Drought or flood in the US?- This site monitors the water levels around the US and shows diagrams of current, real-life water levels around the country.
- How do we build wells?- Click "launch" to view a video explaining the answer to this question
Oceans
Reinforce information
- Interactive exaggerated elevation- Use this to explore the parts of the world (and ocean floor) to see exaggerated elevation and how high/low landforms are.
- Ocean currents- This site uses video, diagrams and descriptions to explain the characteristics of the different ocean currents. A login is required for this site, but it is free.
- Ocean currents- This page includes a brief explanation of ocean currents with embedded links for further exploration on the topic based on which areas you wish to receive clarification
- Tides- This site uses video, diagrams and descriptions to explain the characteristics of the different tides. A login is required for this site, but it is free.
- Tides- NOAA's brief, yet thorough, explanation of the tides
- Waves- Brief explanation of water waves- click on the picture to see the anatomy of waves
- Tides- Brief explanation of tidal currents
- Tides- Another explanation of tidal currents; click on the pictures for a larger view
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration- explore this government site for all sorts of information
- Essential Principles of Ocean Sciences- this online file will explain the principles of ocean sciences
- Ocean Salinity from Space- NASA explains how they can determine the salinity of the ocean using satellites
- Rip currents- this diagram and explanation helps show how rip currents form
Earth's Layers and Fossils
Reinforce information
- How can a dinosaur get buried by sediment and then later uncovered?- Walk through the steps that answer this question. Keep going through it until you get to the "review" section
- Fossil layer game- Put the fossils in the correct layer from oldest to youngest
Plate Tectonics
Reinforce information
- Continental drift- This page does a good job explaining the history of the theory of continental drift. There are great videos on the bottom of the page as well!
- Interactive plate movement- Where was the plate we live on now, 400 million years ago? 750 million years ago?
- Breakdown of plate tectonics- Using many pictures and diagrams, this site breaks down plate boundaries and the features they create.
- Review game- Having trouble remembering the different boundaries and what they create? This review game will help!
- Plate tectonics- Click on any of the links under "contents" to be taken to a page that explains that topic.
- Ocean floor features- NOAA's explanation of ocean floor features with embedded links for further exploration on the topic.
Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Mountains
Reinforce information
- Tsunami before and after pictures- See before and after pictures of the 2011 tsunami that wrecked Japan.
- Tsunamis- Still have questions about tsunamis? This site walks you through to a deeper understanding of tsunamis using short videos. There is also tons of information about plate tectonics, volcanoes and waves. A login is required for this site, but it is free.
- Tsunamis- This site breaks down the different ways tsunamis can form, as well as how and why they are formed. There are animations and audio explanations. A login is required, but it is free and worth it!
- Volcanic Ash- This site has great diagrams and questions to check for understanding so you know you're getting it. It does require you to create a username/password, but it's free.
- Volcano world- Check out the links along the top of the page and explore to find answers to your questions about volcanoes- there are even virtual field trips to different volcanoes around the world!
- Recent seismic activity- This site shows you where and at what magnitude the most recent earthquakes around the world.
- Recent seismic activity- USA- This site shows seismic activity occurring in the US every day!
- US volcanoes- when will they erupt?- This site is produced by the US government and tracks all of the volcanoes and monitor their activity in order to determine when they will erupt. This map shows you which will go next (look out Hawaii!)
- Landslide video- On June 3, 2020, Norway experienced a landslide and it was caught on tape.
Minerals and Rocks
Reinforce information
- Rock cycle song- The video will provide visualizations and the lyrics so you can sing along- it's a catchy tune!
- Rock and mineral characteristics- Using many pictures and visuals, this site will breakdown the characteristics of both minerals and rocks
- Crystal shapes- Want to know more about crystal structure? This site will show you the different shapes and their properties.
- Minerals database- A list of over 100 minerals is provided with a link to pictures with more information for each.
Weathering, Erosion and Soil
Reinforce information
- Water runoff, basins and soil- This site provides short descriptions along with animations to explain the concepts of water runoff, basins and soil. This site does require a login, but it is free.
- Science of sand- not all sand is the same. Sand is made from weathered rock particles; the sand reflects the type of rock that has broken down. Check out samples from around the US (and world) and view them under magnification.
Human Impact, and Alternate Forms of Energy
Reinforce information
- State energy source potential- Choose a state and see how much of it's energy could be produced using the different types of alternate energy sources (wind, water, solar, geothermal)
- Country energy source potential- Select a country and see how much of it's energy could be produced using the different types of alternate energy sources (wind, water, solar, geothermal)
- How do hydropower dams work?- Click "launch" and view an article and interactive picture (click the text boxes for more information) about how these create energy