Professional Development Resources

Web Resources

USGS and Science Education
Have a geology question? Check out this site at this site for students and teachers from the USGS. You can ask a geologist your question; learn about careers in science; or learn more about rocks, natural hazards, water, ecosystems, and natural resources. Intended Audience: Students/Teachers Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Mineralogy 4 Kids
Do you know what minerals you have in your house? Find out at this site from the Mineralogical Society of America. You can also learn more about the properties of minerals, discover how they form, and explore the rock cycle! if you still have questions, you can even ask a Mineralogist. Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Rockhounds
Learn more about how rocks are formed and how they are identified, then test your rock knowledge at this site from the Franklin Institute Wired School.
Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Mineral Matters
Learn how to identify a mineral, grow your own crystals, or play some mineral games at this site from the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Geodetective
Learn more about rocks at this site from Bryce Canyon National Park. You'll find units of study on Rocks and Minerals, Landforms, Hydrology, and more. Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: N/A School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Fossils and Rocks
This unit of study for grade four integrates earth science and life science as students gain an understanding of the processes of rock formation and study fossils to learn more about geologic time. Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: N/A Searchable: No

Minerals, Crystals, and Gems - Stepping Stones to Inquiry
This three lesson unit for grades 3-8 from the Smithsonian Institution introduces students to mineral science and teaches the scientific process of observation, hypothesis, and conclusion.

Earth
In this unit for grade one, students learn about the earth's surface: its features, the soil, and the air and water.
Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: N/A Searchable: No

Earthquakes and Volcanoes
In this unit for grade six, students consider the causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanoes.
Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: N/A Searchable: No

Fossils and Rocks
This unit of study for grade four integrates earth science and life science as students gain an understanding of the processes of rock formation and study fossils to learn more about geologic time.
Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: N/A Searchable: No

S.K. Worm
S.K.Worm, the official annelid, or worm, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service answers students questions about soil.
Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No<

Online Video From PBS