Earth Science

Watersheds
Virginia SOL PS.6.8
NGSS MS-ESS2-4
Wonderful Watersheds

This new interactive allows students to explore the sources of the water we use, its destination, and the diverse terrains that compose a watershed. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed serves as an example in this interactive, but it concentrates on watersheds in general. 

Magnetism
Virginia SOL PS.9
NGSS MS-PS2-5

Embark on a treasure hunt using a compass and map. Along the way, learn how compasses operate and explore the principles of magnetism and magnetic fields.

This STEM programming was made possible by the Virginia General Assembly for COVA STEM Hub for regional activities and programming.

Coastal Virginia STEM Ecosystem
Water Filtration Challenge
Virginia SOL 4.9 & 6.6
NGSS MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3
Water Filtration Challenge

Explore key water management concepts and then design, build, and test a virtual water filter in this interactive module.

This interactive resource is made possible by the Virginia Air and Space Science Center.

Greenhouse Effect
Virginia SOL ES.12
NGSS MS-ESS3-2, MS-ESS3-5
The Greenhouse Effect

Explore the process by which the sun’s energy is captured and retained in Earth’s atmosphere, leading to various climatic and environmental effects.

Global Warming
Virginia SOL ES.12
NGSS MS-ESS3-2, MS-ESS3-5
Global Warming

Discover the methods and techniques scientists use to measure and analyze Earth’s average global temperatures and understand their impact on our planet’s climate and environment.

Rising Sea Levels
Virginia SOL ES.12
NGSS MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS3-2,
MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-5
Climate Change Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels

Check out the Greenland Ice Sheet and learn how warmer air and ocean temperatures affect ice sheets and sea levels.

Carbon Dioxide
Virginia SOL ES.12
NGSS MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS3-2,
MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-5
Carbon Dioxide Levels on the Rise

Explore how scientists measure, study, and analyze the levels and impacts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Ocean Acidification
Virginia SOL ES.10
NGSS MS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-6
Ocean Acidification

Explore how extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affects the pH of oceans and coral reefs.

What is Air
Virginia SOL PS.3 & CH.3
NGSS 5-ESS-2, MS-PS1-1
What is Air interactive lesson

Updated! This engaging interactive lesson uses molecular models and pie charts, helping students visualize and understand the composition of air. 

Seasons
Virginia SOL ES.3b
NGSS MS-ESS1-1
What Causes Seasons?

Use simulations to confront misconceptions about the cause of seasons.

 

The Lunar Cycle / Phases of the Moon
Virginia SOL ES.3b
NGSS MS-ESS1-1
The Lunar Cycle

Learn about why the way we see the moon changes through each month and test your memory of the moon phases.

Wild Wild Earth Part 1
Virginia SOL PS.2
NGSS PS1
Wild Wild Earth Part 1: Opens in New Tab

Travel the world as you learn about states of matter, thermal energy, and temperature.

Wild Wild Earth Part 2
Virginia SOL PS.2 NGSS PS1, PS 3
Wild Wild Earth Part 2: Opens in New Tab

Travel the world and learn about forms of energy, temperature, and states of matter.

Wild Wild Earth Part 3
Virginia SOL PS.2 NGSS PS1, PS3
Wild Wild Earth Part 3: Opens in New Tab

Travel the world as you learn about heat, the states and density of water, and insulators.

 

Wild Wild Earth Part 4
Virginia SOL PS.5b
NGSS ESS2-1, PS1, PS3
Wild Wild Earth Part 4: Opens in new tab

Travel the world as you learn about radiation, convection, and conduction.

 

Read-Aloud Feature

Students can choose to click on either text or icons to have the sentences read aloud throughout the interactive.

Screenshot the Last Page for Credit

The final page of this interactive features an option for students to take a screenshot of their name,

which they can then send to their teacher for credit.

This example is taken from the Wonderful Watersheds intearctive.

Sign and Screenshot Page for Credit

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Climate Change Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Hands-On Activities to Compliment "What is Air"