The Education GeoSource database has thousands of free resources, from lessons to outreach and teacher professional development, for use in classrooms, scout programs, or at home.
Resource: Activities
A Winch Lightens the Load
How do well winches help people haul water from deep inside a well? Students design a model well winch that raises and lowers a full bucket without spilling any of it.
Exploring Coal
A multi-disciplinary unit that addresses the science behind coal and how it is used for energy and industry. Hands-on, critical thinking and laboratory exercises expose secondary students to coal formation, coal mining, reclamation of lands, uses of coal, electricity generation, and the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing coal. 116 pages. Find related curricula at www.need.org.
Understanding Coal
Hands-on, critical thinking activities introduce intermediate students to the formation of coal, the coal mining process, reclamation of lands, uses of coal, electricity generation, and advantages and disadvantages of utilizing coal. 112 pages. Find related curricula at www.need.org.
This Mine Of Mine
Middle school students explore the formation, geology, recovery, and uses of coal, as well as the reclamation of coal mine sites. Using sand, clay, soil and rocks, students build a miniature plot of land containing coal deposits. Students then learn about surface mining, and practice the method on a plot of land. After the coal is mined, students reclaim the plot of land and discuss how the coal is transported and used. 10 pages. Find related curricula at www.need.org. Originally from Project Stone.
All About Coal
Introduce primary and elementary students to the formation of coal, the coal mining process, reclamation of lands, and the uses of coal. Hands-on, multi-disciplinary activities. Free download. 59 pages. Find related curricula at www.need.org.
Reclaiming a Mine Site
Build a model reclaimed landscape in a plastic tub and observe and compare the growth of vegetation on one of eight model landscapes to learn that specific conditions are needed to re-vegetate reclaimed mine sites. This MEC page from the 2016 AGI Earth Science Week Calendar was created with permission from Caterpillar. To view the Caterpillar Ground Rules video and access the accompanying 75-activity guide go here.
The Rock Cycle
The Geological Society of London’s Online interactive resource The Rock Cycle, with the Rock Cycle Animation, shows how surface and deep Earth processes produce the rocks we stand on and use to build our homes. Also find a glossary, demonstrations/experiments and extensive background information about the rock cycle.
The Clay Minerals Society Educational Activities—Clays
Conduct activities about the properties and uses of clay minerals—clays.
The Clay Minerals Society Educational Activities—Talc
Conduct activities about the properties and uses of clay minerals—talc.
