Science Cloud

Relative Age Dating allows geologists to determine whether rocks and events such as faulting and igneous intrusions are older or younger than other rocks and events using a few simple rules. This file contains two pages of clear reading describing Superposition, Cross-cutting, Contact Metamorphism, and Unconformities. Images and diagrams help explain the concepts. Ten questions follow that test reading comprehension and content acquisition.

NGSS HSESS1.A (HSESS 1-3) Elements in stars absorb stellar energy leaving empty spaces when we look at the spectrum of the starlight. Studying the missing energy lets us learn about the composition of a star. In this activity students read about stellar light spectra and the composition of stars. Students color the visible spectrum including the missing energy.

Four sets of P-Wave and S-Wave data used as anticipatory sets. Each set is designed as a quick practice using the Earthquake P-Wave and S-Wave Travel Time graph on page 11 of the New York State Earth Science reference tables. Each set is progressively more difficult; the first set gives the time difference between the primary and secondary waves, after that students have to calculate the difference. There is no map associated with these practice sets. No distance circles are drawn; only determi

Plate Tectonics - Plate Motion - Hot SpotsStudents use Google Earth to measure the distance from the big island of Hawaii to other Hawaiian islands and atolls.  The highest elevation of the islands is researched and two graphs are made using Google Sheets. The age of island rocks is given.  Students make two graphs showing the increasing age and decreasing elevation of more distant Hawaiian islands. Google EarthGoogle DocsGoogle Sheets

Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations: HS ESS1-2 & HS ESS1-3Disciplinary Core Idea: HS ESS1.AAbsorption Line SpectraDifferent elements absorb energy at different wavelengths. By studying the light from distant stars we can learn about their composition. If a certain wavelength of energy is missing from a star's light, we can determine what elements absorbed that wavelength and therefore what element is present in the star. This reading and coloring activity introduces the