Earth & Environmental Science
Let's have some FUN!
The HESD Summer Enrichment Academy's Science Program will focus on Earth and Environmental Sciences. This course will engage students to a greater understanding of our beautiful planet. All lesson will pursue a STEM focus of introducing content knowledge along with hands-on activities to reinforce the daily objective. Students will be expose to lessons, including indoor and outdoor opportunities to obtain a solid foundation in the Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Earth and Environmental Sciences are interdisciplinary to address geological and environmental issues related to the solid earth, the oceans, and the atmosphere. This course is designed to encompass a broad spectrum of basic scientific standards.
The HESD Summer Enrichment Academy's Science Program will focus on Earth and Environmental Sciences. This course will engage students to a greater understanding of our beautiful planet. All lesson will pursue a STEM focus of introducing content knowledge along with hands-on activities to reinforce the daily objective. Students will be expose to lessons, including indoor and outdoor opportunities to obtain a solid foundation in the Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Earth and Environmental Sciences are interdisciplinary to address geological and environmental issues related to the solid earth, the oceans, and the atmosphere. This course is designed to encompass a broad spectrum of basic scientific standards.
Day 1 - Layers of the Earth
Get ready to dig deep and join us on a fascinating journey to the center of the Earth…
The secrets buried inside our planet are revealed by recording and studying things called seismic waves. Caused by things like earthquakes, explosions and the movement of our oceans, there are two types of seismic wave – a shear wave, which won’t travel through liquid; and a pressure wave, which moves through both liquid and solids. These waves show that the Earth is made from five layers: the inner and outer core, the lower and upper mantle, and the crust...Read More
The secrets buried inside our planet are revealed by recording and studying things called seismic waves. Caused by things like earthquakes, explosions and the movement of our oceans, there are two types of seismic wave – a shear wave, which won’t travel through liquid; and a pressure wave, which moves through both liquid and solids. These waves show that the Earth is made from five layers: the inner and outer core, the lower and upper mantle, and the crust...Read More
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Day 2 - Plate Tectonics
What is Plate Tectonics?
From the deepest ocean trench to the tallest mountain, plate tectonics explains the features and movement of Earth's surface in the present and the past.
Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth's mantle. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere, which is 100 km (60 miles) thick, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The lithosphere includes the crust...Read More
From the deepest ocean trench to the tallest mountain, plate tectonics explains the features and movement of Earth's surface in the present and the past.
Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth's mantle. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere, which is 100 km (60 miles) thick, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The lithosphere includes the crust...Read More
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Day 3 - Rock Cycle
The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock or into metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock.Igneous rock forms when magma cools and makes crystals. Magma is a hot liquid made of melted minerals. The minerals can form crystals when they cool. Igneous rock can form underground, where the magma cools slowly. Or, igneous rock can form above ground, where the magma cools quickly...Read More
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Starburst Lab Activity
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Day 4 - Underwater Volcanoes
Deep Ocean Volcanoes
Ocean Today | National Ocean Service
Scientists believe that 80 percent of the volcanic eruptions on Earth take place in the ocean. Most of these volcanoes are thousands of feet deep, and difficult to find. But in May of 2009, scientists captured the deepest ocean eruption ever found.
Nearly 4000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean – in an area between Samoa, Fiji and Tonga - the West Mata volcano was discovered. The explosions of molten rock were spectacular. This volcano was producing Boninite lavas – believed to be among the hottest erupting on Earth. Scientists also witnessed molten lava flowing across the deep-ocean sea floor and spotted shrimp living near the volcano’s most active areas...Read More
Ocean Today | National Ocean Service
Scientists believe that 80 percent of the volcanic eruptions on Earth take place in the ocean. Most of these volcanoes are thousands of feet deep, and difficult to find. But in May of 2009, scientists captured the deepest ocean eruption ever found.
Nearly 4000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean – in an area between Samoa, Fiji and Tonga - the West Mata volcano was discovered. The explosions of molten rock were spectacular. This volcano was producing Boninite lavas – believed to be among the hottest erupting on Earth. Scientists also witnessed molten lava flowing across the deep-ocean sea floor and spotted shrimp living near the volcano’s most active areas...Read More
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Day 5 - Oceans of the World
Oceans of the World Lab
The surface of Planet Earth is around 70% water, over 96% of which is salt water. While this vast area is mostly interconnected, it is broken up into large and small bodies by the seven continents and other landmasses. The largest of these bodies are known as the Great Oceans.
The Pacific is the largest of these oceans, covering 63,784,077 sq miles (165,200,000 km²). It fills the area between the western coastline of the Americas, the eastern coastlines of Asia and Australia, and is capped to the North and South by the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In part because of the numerous tropical islands...Read More
The surface of Planet Earth is around 70% water, over 96% of which is salt water. While this vast area is mostly interconnected, it is broken up into large and small bodies by the seven continents and other landmasses. The largest of these bodies are known as the Great Oceans.
The Pacific is the largest of these oceans, covering 63,784,077 sq miles (165,200,000 km²). It fills the area between the western coastline of the Americas, the eastern coastlines of Asia and Australia, and is capped to the North and South by the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In part because of the numerous tropical islands...Read More
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Day 6 & 7 - Water Cycle/Erosion Table/Cloud in a Jar
The Water Cycle
Precipiation Education | NASA
Precipitation is a vital component of how water moves through Earth’s water cycle, connecting the ocean, land, and atmosphere. Knowing where it rains, how much it rains and the character of the falling rain, snow or hail allows scientists to better understand precipitation’s impact on streams, rivers, surface runoff and groundwater. Frequent and detailed measurements help scientists make models of and determine changes in Earth’s water cycle...Read More
Precipiation Education | NASA
Precipitation is a vital component of how water moves through Earth’s water cycle, connecting the ocean, land, and atmosphere. Knowing where it rains, how much it rains and the character of the falling rain, snow or hail allows scientists to better understand precipitation’s impact on streams, rivers, surface runoff and groundwater. Frequent and detailed measurements help scientists make models of and determine changes in Earth’s water cycle...Read More
Erosion & Soil |
Weathering & Erosion |
Weathering & Erosion Lab |
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Day 8 & 9 - Solar Oven/Green House Effect
How is Earth a greenhouse?A greenhouse is a house made of glass. It has glass walls and a glass roof. People grow tomatoes and flowers and other plants in them. A greenhouse stays warm inside, even during winter. Sunlight shines in and warms the plants and air inside. But the heat is trapped by the glass and can't escape. So during the daylight hours, it gets warmer and warmer inside a greenhouse, and stays pretty warm at night too.
Earth's atmosphere does the same thing as the greenhouse. Gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide do what the roof of a greenhouse does. During the day, the Sun shines through the atmosphere. Earth's surface warms up in the sunlight. At night, Earth's surface cools, releasing the heat back into the air. But some of the heat is trapped by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That's what keeps our Earth a warm and cozy 59 degrees Fahrenheit, on average...Read More |
How to build a SOLAR OVEN?
Use the sun's energy to heat up a tasty treat with this simple solar oven! Have you ever heard the expression that it's so hot out you could fry an egg on the sidewalk? Have you ever wondered if it's true? Find out with this easy, fun, and delicious solar oven science project that uses only household items and a pizza box. Plus, learn about absorption, insulation, and the sun's energy. What You Need:
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Day 10 - Celebration
Our HESD Summer Enrichment Academy celebration will be a lot of fun!
Student will help their parents get their hands dirty and participate in the science activities.
Student will be docents at each station where they will share their knowledge of our Earth & Environment.
Student will help their parents get their hands dirty and participate in the science activities.
Student will be docents at each station where they will share their knowledge of our Earth & Environment.