Radioactive Decay and Geochronology
This activity was developed to introduce upper level undergraduate students to dynamical systems modeling. In this exercise, students create a STELLA model of the radioactive decay process. They then learn how the special radioactive series 238U - 206Pb and 237U - 205Pb can be used to determine both the time when a rock initially crystallized and when it underwent a recrystallization, even when the sample being dated was not a closed system. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materi
Oceanography Activities
This set of online oceanography activities helps students learn about ocean waves and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The wave module addresses wave anatomy, global and local waves and their relationship to wind, and the properties of tsunamis. Activities in the ENSO module include simple calculations, discovery learning, satellite imagery, simulations, animations and drawings to present relationships between atmospheric and oceanic processes. Multiple choice self-tests are included. Provid
Next steps
This unit is concerned with macroevolution – the patterns and processes of evolution above the species level. A crucial consideration in macroevolutionary studies is that of the evolutionary relationships (phylogeny) of the organisms in question. The unit begins with an introduction to the scope of macroevolutionary studies and illustrates methods of reconstructing phylogeny, from both morphological and molecular data.
Prepare turf surfaces for play
This resource covers the skills and knowledge that will assist the learner in the preparation of all turf surfaces for play. It contains activities and resources to facilitate self-paced learning. Topics include: preparing the site to be mowed, mowing the playing surface and marking out the playing surface.
Illustrating Hillslope Diffusion with Physical and Numerical Models
In this lab exercise, students use hillslope evolution to examine how numerical theories are developed, how we might test this theory with an analog model, how numerical models are constructed and the limitations of numerical modeling. They do this by collecting hillslope data, constructing a model, and running the model to simulate sand hillslope evolution. Learning goals, context for use, and teaching tips and materials are provided.
GEOLogic: Terrestrail and Jovian Planets
In this two-part exercise, students are given clues about properties of terrestrial and Jovian planets and then asked to match up the planets with their correct equatorial radius, mean orbital velocity, and period of rotation. There are also some overarching questions dealing with both groups of planets. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.
GEOLogic: Volcanologists
GEOLogic questions are puzzles that were developed to support students understanding of geoscience concepts while challenging them to develop better logic and problem solving skills. In this exercise, students are asked to resolve how many days each of five volcanologists spent at a given volcano and what day they started for the volcano. There is also a second part where students are asked to do some additional research about volcanoes on the web. This activity is appropriate for a high school
GEOLogic: The Three Stooges and Their Pet Dinosaurs
GEOLogic questions are puzzles that were developed to support students understanding of geoscience concepts while challenging them to develop better logic and problem solving skills. In this exercise, students are asked to match up each of the Stooges with their favorite group and species of dinosaur based on clues given about which order and group each Stooge prefers. This activity is appropriate for a high school science class or an introductory level undergraduate geoscience course, and can b
GEOLogic: The Big Five Mass Extinctions
GEOLogic questions are puzzles that were developed to support students understanding of geoscience concepts while challenging them to develop better logic and problem solving skills. In this exercise, students are asked to match up the five largest mass extinction events with their relative dates, approximate duration, and severity (percentage of species that became extinct) based on clues given from various perspectives. This activity is appropriate for a high school science class or an introdu
GEOLogic: State Fossils
GEOLogic questions are puzzles that were developed to support students understanding of geoscience concepts while challenging them to develop better logic and problem solving skills. In this exercise, students are asked to identify states with their state fossil and the year in which it was declared, based on clues given from various points of view. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.
GEOLogic: Lagerstatten and Unique Fossils
GEOLogic questions are puzzles that were developed to support students understanding of geoscience concepts while challenging them to develop better logic and problem solving skills. In this exercise, students are asked to match up several unique fossils with the sites and locations where they were found, as well as their geologic age. This activity is appropriate for a high school science class or an introductory level undergraduate geoscience course, and can be given as an in-class assignment
GEOLogic: Dinosaur Trackways
This in-class or homework exercise asks students to associate different dinosaur trackways with their geographic locations and rock formation names based on clues given from various points of view. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.
GEOLogic: How Well Do You Know Your National Parks and Memorials
GEOLogic questions are puzzles that were developed to support students understanding of geoscience concepts while challenging them to develop better logic and problem solving skills. Using a game show format, this exercise asks students to associate historical figures with a particular National Park or Memorial, as well as the number of points each student contestant scored on the show. This activity is appropriate for a high school science class or an introductory level undergraduate geoscience
Exploring Radiometric Dating with Dice
In this lab, students use dice to simulate radioactive decay. Students create a standard decay curve for a fictional element, calculate the half-life of this element, and, using the information their graph, "date" rocks that contain the new element. The use of dice has some advantages over similar exercises because the half-life is not immediately obvious to students and they will need to experimentally determine it. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and
Earthquake Shaking and Damage
This homework exercise is designed to familiarize students with earthquake shaking, acceleration, intensity and hazards, including the quantitative measurement of these properties. Students analyze real earthquake data to determine the damage to their homes. By using students' own homes, they see the impacts of shaking, hazard, and intensity in a more personal, connected way. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.
Determining Earthquake Probability and Recurrence from Past Seismic Events
Students completing this homework and in-class exercise use historical data from small earthquakes to estimate the recurrence interval of They are encouraged to examine sampling limitations, thoughtfully deal with outliers, compare the results of various techniques and consider the societal impacts of their results. This activity is designed for the Pacific Northwest, but could easily be altered for any other area. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and re
Determining Dinosaur Speeds
This exercise has students determine how fast a dinosaur was moving based on the tracks it made. It allows students with minimal quantitative background to become motivated and begin to develop an appreciation for dimensional analysis as they see whether or not they could outrun the track-making dinosaurs. Measurements from any dinosaur track site can be used in this activity. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.
Daisyworld Lab
In this activity, students explore Daisyworld, a model of a self-regulating system incorporating positive and negative feedbacks. The model explores the effect of a steadily increasing solar luminosity on daisy populations and the resulting planetary temperature. The activity was developed to introduce upper level undergraduate students to the concepts of dynamical systems modeling. The exercise guides students through some of the mathematics behind the modeling. Learning goals, context for use,
Cooperative Learning In Technical Courses: Procedures, Pitfalls, and Payoffs
This report features procedures for implementing cooperative learning in courses that stress quantitative problem solving. The objectives of the report are to offer ideas for using cooperative learning effectively in technical courses, to give advance warning of the problems that might arise when CL is implemented, and to provide assurances that the eventual benefits to both instructors and students justify the perseverance required to confront and overcome the problems encountered.
Angle of Repose
In this activity, students explore how different sediment properties influence slope stability. They make piles of sediments with varied grain size, angularity, and water content and measure the maximum slope at which the grains are stable. The results are then used to examine the nature, frequency, timing, and causes of landslide events in Seattle. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.
