Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy are all studies of Earth Science.
Teaching Earth Science Honors can be a fun and interactive experience for both the students and the teachers. Honors students specifically benefit from enrichment activities and scientific investigations. Hands-on inquiry based lessons can extend upon the traditional vehicles of reading and writing, and provide a concrete experience with Earth Science. Some of these activities can be performed outdoors to increase the student's interaction with nature and science, and to build a closer relationship with Earth Science.
Types of Clouds ID Field Book
Review types of clouds with your students and have them create their own "Field Guide to Clouds ID Book" using construction paper and internet research. Each cloud type should have a title, a description, its formation origin, and its approximate altitude. Have students draw or use cotton balls to create each type of cloud in the book. Direct the students create a "cloud log" on the last two pages of the field book. In this log, students will identify clouds that they see daily as well as the weather and type of cloud that they saw. After log and field book is complete, students write a synthesizing statement or paragraph on types of clouds using the information they collected throughout the project.
Classic Volcano
After a unit on volcanoes, have the students work in pairs to create different types of volcanoes using paper mache, recyclables, paper, and paint. Have the students experiment with different chemicals to produce different effects such as: baking soda and vinegar, sulfur dichromate with ammonium dichromate, or Mentos with diet cola.
Collect Meteorites
The Earth is constantly being bombarded by minuscule pieces of magnetic meteorites. You can collect micro-meteorites by using a shallow dish of water. Lay a shallow dish of water outdoors in an area that is free over overhead trees and buildings to minimize other debris. After the dish of water has sat out for a few weeks, swirl a large magnet around in the water. Fish out the meteorites with the magnet. At the end of the magnet, you will notice small pieces of a metallic material, which actually are meteorites from space. Look at the metallic debris under a microscope. If you observe small dark particles with pitted surfaces, they are micro-meteorites. For a list of physical and chemical properties of meteorites, visit Portland State University Meteorite Laboratory Identification guidelines listed in this article's resources section.
Classroom Fossils
Create fossils and demonstrate the process of sedimentation and fossilization by directing the students to make their own fossils. Ask children to bring in any shells or other natural matter they have from home, and bring in extra for any student who may have forgotten. Mix Plaster of Paris with water, following the directions on the bag. Pour the plaster into tubs or molds and have students press their fossils into the plaster. Wait until the plaster hardens before handling. Discuss the similarities and differences between this type of fossilization and fossilization that had occurred early in geologic time.
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