Earth and Space Science Curriculum - Environmental Science Activities NGSS STEM

Earth Science Curriculum | Environmental Science {Both DIGITAL & PRINT}

NGSS (NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS) and COMMON CORE ALIGNED!

UPDATE: OCEANOLOGY, SPACE & SOLAR SYSTEM Resources are now included!

Unit topics include: Rock Cycle, Rocks & Minerals, Plate Tectonics, Ecosystems, Biomes, Photosynthesis, Energy, Earth's Cycles, Weather and Climate, Volcanoes, Space, and Oceanology

The Earth Science Curriculum Resource contains the following 6 Bundles (On Each Unit Topic):

Reading Passages Bundle

Interactive Notebook Bundle

Interactive PowerPoints Bundle

STEM Challenges Bundle

Exams & Assessments Bundle

Google Classroom Projects Bundle

12 units are in each bundle. This resource contains 71 individual units/products! That is over 1250 pages/slides of material!

MS-ESS2-1 Earth's Systems, MS-ESS2-2 Earth's Systems, MS-ESS2-3 Earth's Systems, MS-ESS2-4 Earth's Systems, MS-ESS2-5 Earth's Systems, MS-ESS2-6 Earth's Systems, MS-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity, MS-ESS3-2 Earth and Human Activity, MS.History of Earth, MS.Earth's Systems, MS.Weather and Climate, MS.Human Impacts

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Easily one of the greatest resources I have ever purchased. Blends beautifully with my lessons and saves me hours of lesson planning time each week. Just print and go. I do have to make modifications here and there but they are minimal. A wonderful purchase I am so, so happy with!"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I love this resource! Everything is right there and easy to use. The way the information is displayed is engaging and fun for the students! The students enjoy the interactive part of the resource as well! Stem activities are great! Well worth the purchase! Thank you!"

Check out the aligned bundles and their descriptions below! EVERYTHING is included in this resource!

Here is a more in-depth look at each of the Reading Passage units:

ROCK CYCLE:

1.) The Steps of the Rock Cycle

-Overview of the three types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic) and how they are formed.

-Provides description of the step by step process of the Rock Cycle

Keywords: igneous rock, sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock, basalt

2.) Changes in Our Landscape

-Overview of the 3 types of events that create changes in our landscape (weathering, erosion, deposition)

-Describes weathering in detail

-Describes erosion in detail

-Describes deposition in detail.

Keywords: weathering, erosion, deposition, sediments

3.) All About Igneous Rock!

-Overview of how Igneous rocks are formed

-Description of characteristics of igneous rock (how you can identify them)

-Examples of different types of igneous rocks

-Overview of intrusive and extrusive rock types

Keywords: Igneous rock, intrusive rocks, extrusive rocks

4.) All About Sedimentary Rock!

-Overview of how sedimentary rocks are formed

-Description of characteristics of sedimentary rock (how you can identify them)

-Examples of different types of sedimentary rocks

Keywords: sedimentary rock

5.) All About Metamorphic Rock!

-Overview of how metamorphic rocks are formed

-Description of characteristics of metamorphic rock (how you can identify them)

-Examples of different types of metamorphic rocks

Keywords: metamorphic rock

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ROCKS AND MINERALS:

1.) All About Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks

Overview of where minerals are found and how rocks are “built” with minerals

-Provides examples of different minerals (even in household items)

-Overview of the 5 requirements to be a mineral

Keywords: Mineralogy, minerals

2.) How to Identify a Mineral

-Brief description of the different ways you can identify a mineral (luster, mineral hardness, testing mineral powder, density, fracture type)

-Overview of luster, Mohs Scale, Streak Test, Density formula, fractures

Keywords: streak plate, Mohs Scale, density

3.) Mineral Properties and Luster

-Overview of how luster is the way the way light reflects off of a mineral’s surface

-Description of each type of luster, providing examples of minerals with each type.

Keywords: luster, metallic, submetallic, adamantine, vitreous, resinous, waxy, pearly, dull

4.) The Mohs Scale and Fracture Types

-Overview of the Mohs Scale and what it measures.

-Describes how glass is often used to test the hardness of the mineral

-Overview of the different hardness levels and the common minerals associated with them

Keywords: Mohs Scale, fracture, cleavage, cleavage plane, splintery fracture, uneven fracture, conchoidal fracture, earthy fracture, hackly fracture

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PLATE TECTONICS:

1.) Pangaea & The Continental Drift

-Description of Pangaea (the hypothetical supercontinent that includes all current land masses)

-Alfred Wegener and his theory

-Describes continental drift and defines the different parts of the earth that can slide, move apart, or move together.

Keywords: Pangaea, Alfred Wegener, continental drift, continental plate, oceanic plate, ocean trenches, lithosphere, mid-ocean ridge, oceanic crust, geologist

2.) Volcanoes, Tsunamis, And Earthquakes, Oh My!

-Overview of geological events that can occur after the shifting of tectonic plates.

-Description of volcanoes and where they are located (and why)

-Description of tsunamis and where they are located

-Description of earthquakes and where they tend to occur. Also describes what can happen after an earthquake (volcanic eruption, landslide, etc.)

3.) Plate Tectonics: How Plates Move

-Overview of the mechanics of how tectonic plates move

-Describes transform boundaries, divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries in detail

-Describes why plates move (convective flow)

Keywords: transform boundaries, divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, convective flow

4.) All About Seismic Waves

-Overview of seismic waves

-Overview of how they are recorded (seismograph) and the different parts of a seismograph

-Definitions of P waves, S waves, surface waves, and body waves

-How seismic waves are produced (by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, explosions)

Keywords: seismograph, seismic waves, P waves, S waves, surface waves, body waves

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ECOSYSTEMS:

1.) The Levels of Organization and Components of an Ecosystem

-Overview of the definition of ecosystem, how it is made up of living and non-living things to help sustain life (biotic and abiotic)

-Types of biotic factors – producers, decomposers, consumers

-Abiotic factors that are important for survival (sunlight, temperature, water)

-The levels of organization within an ecosystem (ecosystem, community, population, habitat, niche, and single organism or life form) definition of each level

Keywords: biotic factors, abiotic factors, producers, consumers, decomposers, ecosystem, community, population, habitat, niche, organism

2.) The Food Chain: Moving Through the Ecosystem

-Overview of how energy (or food/nutrients) moves and flows through the ecosystem, getting passed from life form to life form.

-Describes the primary consumer (herbivores) (rabbit, goose, squirrel etc.) eats plants/autotrophs

-Description of how energy flows down to the secondary consumer (consumes the primary consumer

Keywords: food chain, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer, decomposer

3.) The Producers and Consumers of an Ecosystem

-Overview of what producers are (plants – can make their own food by using sunlight as energy)

-Overview of autotrophs (self-feeders/producers)

-Examples of autotrophs (algae, all green plants, bacteria)

-Overview of what consumers are (heterotrophs- unable to make their own food, consume energy)

-Types of heterotrophs in detail – omnivores, carnivores, herbivores, scavengers, and predators

Keywords: producers, consumers, autotrophs, heterotrophs

4.) Changes In Our Ecosystems: Human Activities and Natural Events

-Description of how different events such as natural occurrences or human activity can impact our ecosystems.

-Provides specific examples of each natural event (hurricane, drought, tsunami, earthquake, etc.) and how it impacts our ecosystems

-Provides specific examples of human activities (logging, hunting/poaching, irrigation, construction, pollution) and how it impacts our ecosystems

5.) Soil and the Ecosystem

-Overview of what is found in soil. How soil is essential to sustain life

-Overview of the different types of layers found in soil

-detailed description of topsoil, subsoil, parent rock, minerals, and bedrock

Keywords: soil, humus, minerals, top soil, subsoil, parent rock, minerals, bedrock

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BIOMES:

1.) Life in the Tundra

-Overview and facts about the Tundra biome (climate, weather, etc.)

-Overview of the locations around the world (northern Canada, Siberia, Alaska, coastal Antarctica, etc.)

-Overview of the types of plants found in the Tundra

-Adaptations the animals have in order to survive the cold weather

Keywords: permafrost, tundra

2.) Tropical Rainforests Around the World

-Overview and facts about the Tropical Rainforest biome (climate, weather, etc.)

-Overview of the locations around the world

-Overview of the types of plants found in the Tropical Rainforest

Keywords: humid, emergent layer, canopy, understory, forest floor

3.) Facts of the Savanna Grasslands

-Overview and facts about the Grasslands/Savanna biome (climate, weather, etc.)

-Overview of the locations around the world (Africa, Australia, etc.)

-Overview of the types of plants found in the Savann

Keywords: Savanna, grasslands

4.) Surviving the Desert Biome

-Overview and facts about the desert biome (climate, weather, etc.)

-Overview of the locations around the world (Namib in Africa, Sahara in Africa, etc.)

-Overview of the types of plants found in the desert

-Description of the adaptations the plants have in the desert to survive the hea

Keywords: succulents, Sahara desert, water conservation

5.) The Four Seasons of the Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome

-Overview and facts about the Temperate Deciduous Forest biome (climate, weather, how it’s always changing seasons)

-Overview of the locations around the world (eastern United States and Canada, Japan, etc.

Keywords: temperate, deciduous

6.) Under the Sea: Saltwater Aquatic Biome

-Overview and facts about the aquatic biome (75% of earth’s surface, temperature and other abiotic factors that play a role, ocean zones etc.)

-Overview of the locations around the world (Atlantic, Pacific, etc.)

-Overview of the types of plants found in the Saltwater Aquatic biome

-Description of the adaptations the plants have in the ocean to survive

-Types of animals that live in the ocean

-Adaptations the animals have in order to survive

Keywords: epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abiotic factors

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PHOTOSYNTHESIS:

1.) The Process of Photosynthesis

-Overview of how the process allows plants to make their own food.

-Overview of step by step process (Energy from the sun is absorbed by the chlorophyll in the chloroplasts, water is absorbed by the roots, Carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere through the stomata (leaves), glucose is produced by the plant in a different part of the chloroplasts)

Keywords: photosynthesis, chlorophyll, chloroplasts, carbon dioxide, stomata, glucose

2.) The Basic Structure of a Flower

-Overview of each part of the plant

keywords: filament, petal, ovary, pistil, receptacle, sepal, pollen tube, stigma, stamen, fruit, style, anther, ovule

3.) All About Chloroplasts

-Overview of the purpose of chloroplasts (converts sunlight into food energy that plants need)

-Where they are found in plants, how they benefit plants

-parts of the chloroplasts

keywords: chloroplasts, granum, stroma lamellae, outer membrane, inner membrane)

4.) Parts of a Leaf

-Overview of how the parts of a leaf work together to help the plant stay healthy.

-Overview of each part of a leaf (leaf margin, midrib, leaf blade, stipule, leaf base, petiole, leaf apex)

Keywords: leaf margin, midrib, leaf blade, stipule, leaf base, petiole, leaf apex, guard cell, cuticle, stoma, upper epidermis, spongy layer, vein, lower epidermis, palisade cell

5.) How Water Moves Through Plants

-Overview of the three forces that help water move through plants

-Description of how root pressure occurs as the water moves in

-Description of how capillary action pulls the water up through the xylem

-lastly, transpiration occurs (loss of water through the plant leaves) Water is given off into the air through the leaves’ stomata.

Keywords: root pressure, capillary action, transpiration

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Energy Reading Passages:

1.) Let’s Get the Ball Rolling with Kinetic and Potential Energy

-Overview of kinetic energy (object that is in motion)

-how it is measured (joule)

speed, mass, and velocity determine kinetic energy

-various examples of kinetic energy (A tennis ball thrown in the air, a basketball rolling down a hill)

-Overview of potential energy (object that is storing energy)

Keywords: kinetic energy, potential energy, joule,

2.) Heating Things Up with Thermal (Heat) Energy

-Overview of thermal energy (generated by heat, molecules moving in an object, kinetic energy)

-Description of how heat transfer works

-Three types of heat transfer

Keywords: thermal energy, heat transfer, conduction, convection, radiation

3.) Getting Energized with Chemical Energy

-Overview of chemical energy (energy stored in the bonds of chemicals and released during a chemical reaction)

-Various examples of chemical energy (batteries, fuel, coal, matches, wood, etc.) each example, explanation of how energy is being released.

Keywords: chemical energy, chemical reaction, exothermic

4.) Types of Circuits and Electrical Energy

-Overview of electrical energy (negatively and positively charge electrons in a circuit)

-Description of how it can produce different types of energy, such as light, thermal, and sound energy.

-Description of the different circuit types

Keywords: electrical energy, negatively charged electrons, positively charged electrons, circuit, open circuit, closed circuit, parallel circuit, series circuit

5.) Creating Waves with Light and Sound Energy

Overview of Light energy (energy our eyes can detect and made up of electro-magnetic radiation)

-Overview of Sound energy

Keywords: light energy, sound energy, natural light, artificial light, absorption, refraction, reflection, transmission, longitudinal waves, pitch, volume, frequency

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EARTH'S CYCLES:

1.) The Carbon Cycle

-Overview of the carbon cycle and its importance. Definition of carbon and how it is an organic compound that carries out life processes.

-How it is constantly cycled in plants, through the oceans, in animals, and the atmosphere.

-Overview of each step of the carbon cycle

Keywords: carbon cycle, factory emissions, animal respiration (cellular respiration), fossil fuels, photosynthesis,

2.) The Nitrogen Cycle

-Overview of the nitrogen cycle and its importance to organisms being able to carry out life’s processes (i.e. proteins contain nitrogen)

-Overview of the steps of the nitrogen cycle

Keywords: Nitrogen cycle, nitric acid, nitrates, nitrites, nitrogen gas, nitrogen-fixing bacteria

3.) The Water Cycle

Overview of how water is necessary for all organism survival

-Cycled amongst three states of matter – The sun’s energy affects the different stages

-Overview of evaporation

-Description of condensation

-Description of precipitation

-Overview of collection/runoff

Keywords: water cycle, evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection, runoff

4.) The Oxygen Cycle

Definition and overview of oxygen and its importance to life on earth. Cycled between and outside organisms and throughout biosphere.

-Plants create and release oxygen through photosynthesis, putting it in the atmosphere

-Animal breath in oxygen, utilizing oxygen in cellular respiration and breath out carbon dioxide (making C02)

-Plants use the carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, turning it into sugar and other compounds. They also produce oxygen, completing the cycle.

Keywords: oxygen, animal respiration, photosynthesis

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WEATHER AND CLIMATE:

1.) Weather and Clouds Types

-Definition of weather (state of the atmosphere at a given place or time)

-Words you would use to describe weather (stormy, rainy, partly cloudy, etc.)

-Overview of different types of clouds and definitions: cumulus, stratocumulus, cumulonimbus, cirrus, stratus

Keywords: weather, clouds, tropospheric layer, cumulus, stratocumulus, cumulonimbus, cirrus, stratus

2.) Climate and its Zones

-Definition of climate (conditions of atmosphere for longer period)

-Words you would use to describe climate (humid, temperature, tropical, etc.)

-Climate zones, how they work and the differences in location and climate

-Overview and facts about Polar Zone

-Overview and facts about Temperate Zone

-Overview and facts about Tropical Zone

Keywords: climate, climate zones, humidity, polar zone, temperate zone, polar zone

3.) Weather and Climate Instruments

-Quick overview of how and why different types of instruments are used to measure weather and climate

Definitions and overviews of the following instruments: barometer, thermometer, weather balloon, and rain gauge

Keywords: barometer, thermometer, weather balloon, rain gauge

4.) Extreme Weather

What causes extreme weather (heat from the sun – extremely high and low pressure) and global warming

-definition of extreme weather (extremely different from usually weather patterns.) Destructive, can be hotter, colder, wetter, windier, etc.

Types of extreme weather

5.) Global Warming and Its Effects

-What global warming is and what is contributing to it (human activity, relying on fossil fuels – construction, transportation, and electricity burning fossil fuels and using up energy)

-Overview of chemical fertilizers (nitrogen oxides trap heat)

-Overview of power plants burning fossil fuels

Keywords: Global Warming, greenhouse effect, deforestation, fossil fuels, carbon dioxide

6.) The Earth’s Atmosphere

-Overview of the atmosphere, definition, made up of 5 layers, each with their own traits.

-troposphere (first layer closest to earth, where nearly all weather occurs)

-stratosphere (contains ozone layer and is above the troposphere)

-mesosphere (third layer - burns up meteors and asteroids)

-thermosphere (fourth layer – air is very thin, many satellites orbit in this layer)

-exosphere (outermost layer – incredibly thin air, “leaks out” into outer space – no specific boundaries into outer space)

Keywords: atmosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere

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VOLCANOES:

1.) All About Volcanoes

-Definition of volcano and overview of how most volcanoes are formed.

-Overview of how rock in the mantle begins to melt and becomes magma, moving through the vent from the magma chamber (becomes lava when it reaches the surface of the earth)

-Overview of the different parts of a volcano

Keywords: volcano, magma chamber, magma, lava, vent, lava flow, rock fragments, conduit, ash cloud

2.) Volcanic Landforms

-Introduction to the different types of volcanoes and why they are formed differently.

-overview and description of a composite volcano

-overview and description of a cinder cone volcano

-overview and description of a shield volcano

-overview and description of a caldera

Keywords: volcanic landforms, composite volcano, cinder cone volcano, shield volcano, caldera

3.) Geothermal Features

-Definition of geothermal features and how they are created (heat from the earth’s interior or magma/volcanic activity)

-overview and description of fumaroles

-overview and description of geysers

-overview and description of hot springs

-overview and description of mud pools

Keywords: geothermal features, fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, mud pools

4.) Hazards of Volcanic Activity

-Description of how volcanic activity can be hazardous to us and our environment. Brief overview of different types.

-description of pyroclastic flow

-description of lava flow

-description of mud flow

-description of volcanic bombs

-description of tsunamis

-description of ash

Keywords: volcanic activity, pyroclastic flow, lava flow, mud flow, volcanic bombs, tsunamis, ash

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Here is a more in-depth look at each of the Interactive Notebook units:

Materials include: Interactive notebook covers for each of the 10 units, reading passages, answer keys, critical thinking and analysis questions, flaps, foldables, graphic organizers, and more.

Several STEM Activities included & NGSS Aligned!

Here is a more in-depth look at each of the Interactive Notebook units:

Rock Cycle Unit:

Topics covered in this unit include: The three main rock types – igneous (intrusive versus extrusive), sedimentary, metamorphic, weathering, erosion, deposition, the rock cycle, magma, crystallizing, basalt, sediments, fossil fuels, limestone, slate, marble

Plate Tectonics Unit:

Topics covered in this unit include: Pangaea, Alfred Wegener, continental drift, tectonic plates, Ring of Fire, geologists, volcanoes, continental plate, oceanic plate, ocean trenches, ridge, geologists, seismic waves, density, layers of the earth, convection currents, subduction

Rocks, Minerals, & Gems Unit:

Topics covered in this unit include: Mineralogy, minerals (the 5 mineral requirements), Identifying Minerals: luster types, cleavage & fracture types, density, Mohs scale, streak test, sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks, sediments, rock cycle, weathering, erosion, deposition, gemstones

Volcanoes Unit:

Topics covered in this unit include: volcanology, parts of a volcano (vent, magma chamber, conduit, ash cloud, branch pipe), volcanic landforms (composite, shield, cinder cone), calderas, other geothermal features, geysers, hot spots, fumaroles, mud pools, pyroclastic flow, lahars (mudflows), igneous rock, volcanic bombs

Ecosystems Unit:

Topics covered in this unit include: Biotic & Abiotic Factors, Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers, Food Chains, Heterotrophs and Autotrophs, Food Webs, Natural Events Versus Human Activities (Changes in Ecosystems), Predator, Prey, Parasite, Host, Community, Habitats, Niche, Energy Pyramids, and much more!

Earth's Cycles Unit:

Topics covered in this unit include:

Nitrogen Cycle (Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria, Nitric Acid, Nitrogen Decomposing, Nitrates to Nitrites)

Carbon Cycle (CO2 Cycle, Dead Organisms, Ocean Exchange/Uptake, Fossil Fuels, Animal Respiration, Photosynthesis, Factory Emissions),

Water Cycle (Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Collection, Runoff),

Oxygen Cycle(Animal Respiration, Photosynthesis)

Photosynthesis Unit:

Topics covered in this unit include:

Photosynthesis (Sun Energy, Carbon Dioxide, Glucose Production, Oxygen Release, Water, Roots, & Minerals), Parts of a Leaf – Basic Flower Structure, Chloroplasts, Chlorophyll, Xylem, Epidermis, How Water Moves Through Plants (Transpiration, Root Pressure, Capillary Action) Respiration, and much more!

Biomes Unit:

Biomes covered in this unit include:

Savanna/Grasslands, Aquatic (Salt-Water), Tropical Rainforest Forest, Desert, & Tundra Biomes!

Environment, Plants, Animals, and Adaptations Covered in Each Biome!

Energy Unit:

Energy types covered in this unit include:

Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Thermal Energy, Chemical Energy, Light Energy, and Sound Energy!

Fun interactive activities and foldables for students to learn facts about each energy type!

Weather & Climate Unit:

Weather & Climate Topics Include:

Climate, Atmosphere, Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Ozone Layer, Troposphere, Humidity, Fronts, Global Warming Greenhouse Effect, Weather Instruments (Barometer, Thermometer, Anemometer, Weather Balloon, Rain Gauge, Extreme Weather, Cloud Types (Cirrus, Cumulonimbus, Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus)

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Earth Science STEM Challenges Bundle

These resources has science, technology, engineering, and measurement activities to do with your upper elementary kids that will really enhance their learning!

This bundle contains 9 StudentSavvy STEM Resources! Photosynthesis, Ecosystems, Rock Cycle, Biomes, Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, Energy, Earth's Cycles, and Weather STEM Challenges!

Watch a video of the challenges in action here!

There are 15 STEM Challenges in this pack. Each STEM Challenge has detailed directions, photo examples, a list of materials needed, prediction section, brainstorming section, trials 1, 2, & 3, final results section with drawings, and a reflection section.

The STEM Challenges include:

Biomes STEM Challenge

-Biomes Survival Challenge!

The STEM group of students must first decide on a plush or plastic animal to bring to school. They must also decide on a specific biome that the animal is going to survive in. The animal they choose for this challenge may not already have adaptations suited for the chosen biome. The students must come up with at least 4 different adaptations for their animal.

Ecosystems STEM Challenge

Food Web Marble Maze Challenge!

The assigned STEM group must first choose a biome or type of ecosystem. (ex: Tundra, Grassland, Forest) Using the materials below, students must create a marble run that features different levels of the food web. They must include a producer, a primary consumer, secondary consumer, and a tertiary consumer.

Weather STEM Challenges

-Barometer Challenge!

Using a list of supplies, students must design a type of barometer that measures changes in the atmospheric pressure.

-Anemometer Challenge

Using a list of supplies, students must design an anemometer that accurately measures wind speed. They must be able to measure how many spins the device makes per minute by marking one of the revolving cups.

Energy STEM Challenges

-Marble Run Challenge!

Using a list of supplies, students must design a marble run that showcases both kinetic and potential energy at use.

- Solar Oven Challenge

Using a list of supplies, students must a solar oven that captures sunlight and retains heat.

Plate Tectonics STEM Challenges

- Seismograph Challenge!

Using a list of supplies, students must design a seismograph that can record movement or shaking. The seismograph must have a base, a hanging weight, and a frame. The paper that the seismic waves are recorded on must be able to be pulled through the device so new data can be recorded.

-Earthquake-Resistant Bridge Challenge! Using a list of supplies, students must construct a bridge that can withstand a major earthquake. The structure must be flexible enough so it can absorb the shaking, but not fall apart.

Rock Cycle STEM Challenges

-Rock Cycle Crayon Challenge!

Students must demonstrate the rock cycle and the different rock formations that occur during the process. All three types of rock must be present in the cycle. Students must save a small sample of rock during each phase and it must be labeled which type it is. STEM groups have three trials to complete the challenge.. They must complete the challenge in 75 minutes.

- Weathering and Erosion Challenge! ar cubes and decide on different weathering and erosion strategies for each rock cliff (one strategy per rock cliff). A strategy can be a combination of wind and rain effects or another way to break down the rocks.

Photosynthesis STEM Challenges

- Building a Greenhouse Challenge!

Using a list of supplies, students must design a greenhouse that can hold at least 4 small plants. Each plant must be protected from weather elements and pests.

- Capillary Action Challenge!

Using a list of supplies, students must demonstrate how water moves through plants. They must build a plant with the materials and label where capillary action, root pressure, and transpiration are demonstrated in their design.

Volcanoes STEM Challenges

- Erupting Volcanoes Challenge!

Using a list of supplies, STEM groups must design three volcanoes: a composite volcano, a cinder cone volcano, and a shield volcano. They must create mixtures that represent each type of volcanic eruption from the three volcanoes (3 mixtures - more information provided in the resource).

- Flowing Lava Challenge! Using a list of supplies, students must create the three different types of lava: basaltic, andesitic, and rhyolitic lava.

Earth’s Cycles - Water STEM Challenges

Water Cycle Challenge!

Using a list of supplies, students must create a device that demonstrates each phase of the water cycle.

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Earth Science Interactive PowerPoint Bundle

***Watch this quick preview video to see these Interactive PowerPoints in action! (This is a fast motion screen capture of the resource).

These teaching resources are quite the virtual experience! The Earth Science PowerPoints can be used as powerful classroom presentations or students can click their way through them on individual computers.***However it should not be used in Google Slides, only the PowerPoint application.

Earth Science Series

This resource contains the following units:

Rock Cycle Unit

Plate Tectonics Unit

Rocks, Minerals, & Gems Unit

Volcanoes Unit

Ecosystems Unit

Earth's Cycles Unit

Photosynthesis Unit

Biomes Unit

Energy Unit

Weather & Climate Unit:

***This product was created with the latest version of PowerPoint (2016). The effects and transitions may not display properly on older versions.

This teaching resource was created using licensed graphics from clipartists listed in the resource. It is an absolute violation of copyright law to ”lift” the graphics or text for other purposes.

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Earth Science Student Projects for Google Classroom!

20 digital / paperless projects for your students!

Earth Science Series

This product contains 20 digital projects for 10 units that students can complete using Google Slides! (Google Classroom)

The 10 units include: Plate Tectonics, Ecosystems, The Rock Cycle, Rocks & Minerals, Volcanoes, Earth’s Cycles, Photosynthesis, Biomes, Energy, and Weather.

Each student-centered project has a sample project, and detailed project instructions for the students.

This bundled resource contains the following StudentSavvy Products: (individual units)

Plate Tectonics Google Projects

Ecosystems Google Projects

The Rock Cycle Google Projects

Rocks, Minerals, & Gems Google Projects

Volcanoes Google Projects

Earth’s Cycles Google Projects

Photosynthesis Google Projects

Biomes Google Projects

Energy Google Projects

Weather & Climate Google Projects

Info-graphic / Poster Projects

Students pick a topic that they would like to research on with the specific unit. All of the elements in the info-graphic must be organized, clearly visible, and well placed. Creativity with color and photos is a must! **More instructions found in the resource

Brochure Projects

Using templates, students design brochures that highlight important facts and topics

from the unit.

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Earth Science Assessments Bundle - Tests

EDITABLE with Answer Key!

Earth Science Series

These products contain 10 unit assessments that has vocabulary matching, fill in the blanks, infographics, short answers, and essays

It also contains ANSWER KEYS and EDITABLE PowerPoint files.

This resource is aligned with the Earth Science Interactive Notebooks and PowerPoints

This product is a bundle of 10 StudentSavvy assessment unit resources

©StudentSavvy

All rights reserved by author. Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only. (unless you purchase the multiple license)

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