Science Cloud

The epicenter of an earthquake can be found using the difference between the arrival of the Primary and Secondary waves. Using this resource students find the arrival times of P-waves and S-waves using a seismogram. The distance to the earthquake epicenter is then determined using the "Earthquake P-Wave and S-Wave Travel Time" graph. A circle is drawn for each city and students locate where the epicenter is by seeing where the circles converge. Three different earthquake locations are includ

Finding the epicenter of an earthquake requires the analysis of Primary and Secondary seismic waves. The epicenter distance can be found using the "Earthquake P-Wave and S-Wave Travel Time" chart, but the direction to the epicenter is unknown. If circles are drawn around three seismograph locations that receive data from the same earthquake, the circles will meet at the epicenter location. This resource provides has students calculate the time difference between the arrival times of primary w

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.

Finding the epicenter of an earthquake requires the analysis of Primary and Secondary seismic waves. The "Earthquake P-Wave and S-Wave Travel Time" chart is used to find the distance to an earthquake. This resource provides nine questions to help students practice using the "Earthquake P-Wave and S-Wave Travel Time" chart (included or found here). Questions start with basic single wave questions that show primary waves travel faster than secondary waves. The last question asks students to

Fully online: Students do activity completely online. Editable: You save a copy of the files for your own.Google: Uses Docs, Slides, and FormsFossils can be used to correlate rock layers from distant places.  A critter that was geographically widespread (existed in many areas) and existed for a short time (only found in a few layers of rock) would be the most useful in correlating rock layers.  These are called index fossils. Students use fossils to correlate rock layers from distant locations.

This bundle includes readings and questions for Minerals, Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks. Each topic includes a reading (~1 1/2 pages) that can be used to take notes, as a homework assignment, for absent students, review, etc. An identification chart is included for each topic. Each topic includes ten or more questions based on the reading and the chart. SubtopicsMinerals: Characteristics Caused by Chemical Composition, Characteristics Caused by Atomic Arrangement, Mineral Uses

The Earth's lithospheric (crust & rigid mantle) is broken into tectonic plates. The boundaries between these plates can be described as Convergent, Divergent and Transform. Models help us understand how these plate boundaries create mountain chains, mid-ocean ridges, island arcs, and ocean trenches. Students color the parts of a plate boundary ( continental crust, oceanic crust, rigid mantle, asthenosphere, etc.) and compare their plate boundary to a classmate's different boundary. Students

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

Igneous RocksFully EditableReading PassageClassification ChartQuestionsThis reading (1 1/2 pages) focuses on the classification of igneous rocks. Discusses where igneous rocks form and how that environment affects the physical and chemical characteristics of the rock. An identification chart is included that helps identify the classification system and describes 17 igneous rocks. Ten multiple choice questions review the reading and test student's use of the chart. This can be used concurrentl

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

Sedimentary RocksFully Editable (.docx)Reading PassageClassification ChartQuestionsThis reading (1 1/2 pages) focuses on the classification of sedimentary rocks. Clastic, Crystalline, and Organic rocks are introduced. Each rock type is described and the method of classification is introduced. An identification chart is included that helps identify the classification system and describes ten sedimentary rocks. Ten multiple choice questions review the reading and test students use of the chart.

Metamorphic RocksFully Editable (.docx)Reading PassageClassification ChartQuestionsThis reading (1 page) focuses on the classification of metamorphic rocks. Regional and Contact metamorphism are discussed. An identification chart is included that helps identify the classification system and describes nine metamorphic rocks. Ten multiple choice questions review the reading and test student's use of the chart. This can be used concurrently with notes, as a homework assignment, for absent students

Students graph temperature and pressure data of the atmosphere.

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. An understanding of how minerals form and how to identify common minerals is crucial to understanding rocks. Although there are thousands of minerals, two dozen are common and make up 95% of the Earth's crust. This two page reading introduces students to mineral identification. A description of color, luster, cleavage, hardness and streak prepares students to identify minerals. A chart of 21 minerals gives students a tool to identify unknown minera

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