Student Links

Science World includes simple, interactive activities for elementary school students introducing rocks and Earth materials. It features classification of rocks, material properties, etc.

The “worlds” are divided by grades, featuring lots more lessons than just geophysics, but you can “Search Lesson” for specifics:

• Grade 2: Rocks, forces, materials
• Grade 4: Sound, magnets, motion
• Grade 5: Electricity, circuits, forces
• Grade 6: Energy, tectonic plates, earthquakes

Virtual Earthquake is an interactive Web-based activity designed to introduce you to the concepts of how an earthquake EPICENTER is located and how the RICHTER MAGNITUDE of an earthquake is determined.

Students locate earthquake epicentres using real seismic data. Demonstrates seismology, a key tool used to study Earth’s interior. (Bonus: you get a certificate at the end).

A short quiz that introduces careers in Earth science and geophysics.

You can be any number of things as an Earth Scientist. From the Earth’s core to the cosmos there is a career for you to discover! Earth Scientists have a wide range of job titles, working in one or many of the W.H.E.R.E. career sectors that make up the Earth Sciences:

• Water: Groundwater, glaciers, oceans, lakes, clouds (essential for all life)
• Hazards: Interactions with natural phenomena (protecting the public)
• Environment: Natural systems and spaces (climate and sustainability)
• Resources: Rocks, minerals, metals, mining (non-renewables we rely on)
• Energy: Wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, fuels (sustainable extraction and use)

PhET (or “Physics Education Technology”) Interactive Simulations let students explore physics and Earth science concepts in a visual way. The simulations are designed to be flexible so that they can be used as lecture demonstrations, labs, or homework activities.

They use an intuitive, game-like environment where students can learn through scientist-like exploration within a simplified environment, where dynamic visual representations make the invisible visible, and where science ideas are connected to real-world phenomena.

Geophysics examples include: Sound Waves, Normal Modes, Magnet and Compass, and Gravity Force Lab.

Free online Geophysics quizzes. There are 11 quizzes in total created by members of PurposeGames. You may find more quizzes like the Geophysics ones in the Science category. Reinforces key Earth science concepts in a quiz form.

Some Quizzes Include:

• Understanding Fossil Fuel Burning
• Types of Anticlines and Synclines
• Milankovitch Cycles and Climate Change
• Types of Breaking Waves