Introduction
PDF versionThis section contains a set of sample Earth science investigations that are suitable for various age levels. Each investigation comes with a materials list, directions, tips on preparation, safety information and handouts for students. There are additional investigations on the AAPG YEA web site, as well as the AGI Education and Outreach web sites at Earth Science Week investigations and K-5 GeoSource investigations. AGI will continue to develop activities for this handbook, which you can download from the AGI's professional development web site and add to this web site.
Here is a table of the current Investigations that we have on sample. Check back for more updates!
Investigate how scientific knowledge changes due to differing viewpoints and additional data by making observations and developing scientific explanations on a set of footprints.
Learn to identify minerals according to physical properties by using color, luster, Moh’s hardness scale, the streak test and an identification sheet.
Relate characteristics of individual fossils and fossil assemblages to probable living environments by investigating fossils and appling their interpretation to models of past Earth conditions that might be very different from present day at any given location.
Understand the significance of different seismic waves by recognizing how they travel through the earth.
Use Earthquake data to find the epicenter of an earthquake by applying their seismic knowledge and mathematical skills.
Using indicator solutions to find the pH and concentrations of nitrates, phosphates and potassium in three soil samples.
Using buried cookie bits as an anology for one method paleontologists use in finding and sorting potential fossils.
Examine how heat and pressure affect rocks by making observations of crayon shavings that are placed under heat and pressure.
Using images and or dinosaur models to identify key features of each dinosaur and being able to explain how that attribute is an adaptation to their environment.
Investigate the properties and origins of soil by making and recording observations on different soil samples.
Understand how systems work by examining objects that work as a system.
Students will be able to make connections between the different spheres of the Earth system by observing their outdoors and categorizing their observations.
Build models of structures and simulating earthquakes on them to examine how different magnitudes of earthquakes affect structures in different ways.
Understanding how convection moves many Earth processes by simulating the convection process with beets and water.