Educational Resources for GR6-12 and College

Visualizing Relationships Between Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Plate Boundaries in the Western U.S. Using EarthScope Jr.
Learners use the web-based data viewing tool, EarthScope Jr., or the included map packet to visualize relationships between earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate boundaries in the western United States. The instructor's guide, worksheet, and map packet are required for this activity; the computer instructions are required if using a computer. Includes the instructor presentation (in pdf and ppt formats), student worksheet, computer instructions, and map packet

Exploring Plate Motion and Deformation in California Using GPS Time Series Plots: Lesson Plan
Students learn about Global Positioning System (GPS) data and time series plots then work with authentic GPS time series plots to determine the magnitude and direction of movement for given GPS stations, and calculate the amount of slip that occurred during the Parkfield earthquake. There are two activities included in this sequence:

• Introduction to Reading Time Series Plots : This activity provides a brief introduction to GPS and provides a student activity to practice creating and reading time series plots with simplified GPS data. Students graph how a tectonic plate (and the GPS unit attached to it) has moved over a five year time period by moving a GPS model across a North-East coordinate graph. After this activity, students are ready to explore authentic GPS data.
• Exploring Plate Motion and Deformation in California Using GPS Time Series Plots
  
  • Part I: Analyzing real time-series data of two GPS stations to determine plate tectonic motion
  • Part II: Investigate deformation at two GPS stations in California

Exploring Plate Motion and Deformation in Cascadia Using GPS Data
Designed as a large class (50+) exercise. Students work in teams of 4 to analyze GPS data to determine regional plate motion in the Cascadia (Pacific Northwest) region using authentic GPS time series plots.

Analyzing Plate Motion Using EarthScope GPS Data with the Pacific Northwest as a case study
Earth Exploration Toolbook Chapter: Learn how to use GPS to visualize plate tectonics in the Pacific Northwest. Students learn how to access GPS data, create Time Series Plots, plot velocity vectors on a map, and analyze regional plate motion.

Episodic Tremor and Slip in the Pacific Northwest: when is the next big earthquake?
Designed for middle school students, grades 6 - 8. Students explore episodic tremor and slip in the Cascadia region by using GPS Time Series Plots.

Taking the Pulse of Yellowstone’s “Breathing” Volcano: Problem-Based Learning in America’s First National Park
In this activity, students learn about volcanism in Yellowstone National Park by focusing on its signs of volcanic activity: its history of eruption, recent seismicity, hydrothermal events, and ground deformation. They learn how scientists monitor volcanoes (using Mount St. Helens as an example) and then apply that as an open-ended problem to Yellowstone by identifying a site for a hypothetical research station. (formerly titled: Will It Blow? Monitoring Yellowstone's Volcanic Activity)

Northern California PBO Installation [PPT]
Princeton High School Earth Science teacher, TJ Pray, shares his PBO installation experience in a powerpoint presentation for his students.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Tutorials
How GPS Works [ppt] (K. Larson, University of Colorado)
Global Positioning System Overview (P. Dana, University of Texas at Austin)
Elevation Correction and the Geoid (UNAVCO)
The Geoid and Receiver Measurements (UNAVCO)
Selective Availability and the GPS Receiver (UNAVCO)
Geodesy, Do you know where you are? - The Global Positioning System (NOAA)
GPS Tutorial (Trimble)

General GPS Education Materials

• How does GPS Work? (Handout [pdf]))
• Locating Position Using GPS (Handout [pdf])
• Using GPS to Study Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes (Handout [pdf]): A two-page PDF overview of how researchers use GPS to learn more about our dynamic Earth. This document was developed by Jessica Murray and Becca Walker for K-12 teachers.
• Reading GPS time series plots, vectors, and adding vectors (Activity)
• Reading Time Series Plots Reference Key (Handout [pdf])
• Using Excel to make a plot from data (Earth Exploration Toolbook Chapterl) (Tutorial/Activity)
• How fast is your school moving? Provides step by step instructions to explore GPS velocity vectors near your locale using the UNAVCO Velocity Viewer and instructions for viewing LiDAR imagery.
• Visit the UNAVCO Community Website for other general resources and workshop materials,
• Learn about Plate Tectonics Google Earth KMZ: GPS velocity vectors, earthquake locations, volcano locations, plate boundaries, LiDAR, age of the ocean floor, and more!

Educational Online Interactives and Games
Polar Power through the Night : In this Flash - based interactive exercise, students try their hands at designing a power system to run the GPS equipment through three years (including three polar nights!) of study and learn about the power needs of scientists doing research in extreme, polar environments and the important factors in powering remote, autonomous power and communication systems in Polar regions. Funded by the Polar MRI grant.

EarthScope Workshop - Interactive Field Trip
Valley and Ridge to Blue Ridge Province - Shenandoah National Park: Explore the central Appalachian Mountain belt and the Blue Ridge Province with Dr. Steve Whitmeyer of James Madison University and Dr. Chuck Bailey of the College of William and Mary in this virtual field trip.You can zoom in from outer-space, hear a brief overview of each field stop, and read a summary of the local geology Additionaly YouTube presentations from the EarthScope Workshop for Interpretive Professionals: Central Appalachian Region held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia in March, 2012 cover Regional Geology and Tectonics of the Central Appalachians, Highlighting Virginia, an overview of the Central Virginia Earthquake, and a Sense of Place.

Active Earth Monitor

• About the Active Earth Monitor
  The Active Earth Monitor is a customizable computer based earth science display designed for K-12 schools, museums, visitor centers, libraries, and universities.


• EarthScope content for Active Earth Monitor
  What is EarthScope? Where are the EarthScope instruments collectin data? What observatories are part of EarthScope? What discoveries have the EarthScope observatories made? Find out more by exploring this monitor.


• CASCADIA content for Active Earth Monitor
  The majestic Cascades volcanoes formed by one tectonic plate sinking under another.


• New Madrid content for Active Earth Monitor
  The New Madrid seismic zone is in the middle of a tectonic plate and understanding the region's earthquakes is of great importance.


• Basin and Range content for Active Earth Monitor
  Continental rifting results in the development of long, parallel mountain ranges and valleys that have had dramatic impact on the history of the Basin and Range province.


• Polar Earth Observing Network (POLENET) content for the Active Earth Monitor
  The POLENET project is focused on collecting GPS and seismic data from autonomous systems deployed at remote sites spanning much of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.

Last modified Friday, 01-Mar-2013 21:37:45 UTC