Gee! Gemstones!

 Lots of us like bright shiny things – such as gemstones (although not all gemstones are bright and shiny). Gemstones DO stand out among things in the earth. And you can unearth the facts about gemstones with these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Discover the differences between rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems at https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=MBbZnuV5RdI&ab_channel=AmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory
• Watch how rocks are transformed into gemstones at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GsSd7Yb4xo&ab_channel=TheGoodandtheBeautifulHomeschoolScience
• Gemstones are legendary; read how at https://www.angara.com/blog/gemstone-legends-that-will-blow-your-mind/

 

CREATE:

• Find gemstone pairs (uncut and polished versions in this interactive game: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/puzzles/article/matching-gemstones
• Compare polished and rough versions of gemstones at https://gemkids.gia.edu/view-all-gemstones
• Play with gems and other bright shiny things at https://www.ourplayfullearningjourney.com/post/loose-parts-play-ideas-using-gems-and-jewels

 

CARE:

• If you have any gems, you will want to take good care of them. And each type of gemstone has unique characteristics that need to be considered. See the list at https://www.gemsociety.org/article/gemstone-care-guide/
• Children in parts of the world are forced to mine for gems. Read about their plight at https://www.worldvision.com.au/docs/default-source/buy-ethical-fact-sheets/7185_dtl_factsheet_jewellery_lr.pdf?sfvrsn=2&srsltid=AfmBOorUcWx3eShZD_IMdnu-WNdeTxrc5wkclYZLlv8HGB4uDfrMd3T_
• Find out what are ethical and conflict-free gemstones at https://www.ceylons.de/blog-en/ethical-gemstones

 

CAREERS:

Do gemstones put a sparkle in your eyes? You could have a bright future in gems: as a gemologist, a miner, a manufacturer, a scientist, a collector, a seller, a jeweler, an artist,  or a historian. Explore  some of the possibilities here.

• https://www.gemsociety.org/article/guide-career-options-gemology/
• https://www.gia.edu/gem-careers
• https://work.chron.com/careers-working-gemstones-29973.html

 

Planets Aren’t Plain

 

Our knowledge about planets is largely based on the eight (or nine) planets in our solar system. But the universe has many more planets. Explore or neighborhood planets and or distant planet relatives in these online activities. It’s out of this world!

CONNECT:

• Just what exactly constitutes a planet? National Geographic has the answer at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/space/article/what-is-a-planet
• Discover our solar system’s planets as NASA explains them at its SpacePlace: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/planets/en/
• When is a planet not a planet? When it is beyond our solar system. Then it is called an exoplanet. Get the details at https://sciencetrek.org/topics/exoplanets

 

CREATE:

• Little ones can make a solar system with play-doh; see how at https://onlypassionatecuriosity.com/fun-easy-solar-system-activity/
• Create your own planet by following the guidelines at https://www.starnetlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Build-A-Planet.pdf
• Expand your solar system knowledge with these hands-on activities at https://www.uaf.edu/museum/education/educators/heliophysics-aurora-outre/activities/solar-system/index.php

 

CARE:

• Become a planet protector; find out how at https://www.epa.gov/students/planet-protectors-activities-kids
• Watch 10 ways to take care of Earth’s environment at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2YgM1Zw4_E
• Earth Day is celebrated on April 2, but you can honor our planet every day. Here are some ways that parents can help raise environmentally-responsible kids: https://www.pbs.org/parents/protecting-our-planet

 

 

CAREERS:

Does thinking about planets put stars in your eyes? You could have a career as an astronomer, an astronaut, a geologist, a teacher or a writer. Here are some possibilities:

• https://sd2.org/exploring-planetary-science-careers-a-guide-for-students/
• https://www.europlanet.org/space-careers/
• Watch a planetary scientist at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUc_9d_HwIk

 

Did You Feel the Earth Move?

While the earth isn’t really alive, it is certainly dynamic. And it can be a moving experience. The following activities focus on geologic disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, avalanches and landslides. We can’t prevent them, but we can be prepared for them.

CONNECT:

•  Learn lots of facts and have fun at from the U.S. Geological Survey: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/
• Stromboli is not a pasta dish; it’s an active volcano in the Mediterranean. Stroll through Stromboli at http://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/volcano/index-en.html
• Can yelling cause an avalanche? Get the facts by watching Avalanches 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcr1Sl-T9S0
• What’s a sinkhole, and how does it happen? Watch this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqKuSKCO6o8

CREATE:

• Make a homemade volcano following the directions at https://www.learning4kids.net/2012/04/11/how-to-make-a-homemade-volcano/
•  Ever think of lava as cake batter? To understand some of the geological processes and the structures that form as lava flows across planetary landscapes, you can use cake batter as an analog for lava, at http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/CakeLava.html
• Use a computer to simulate an earthquake at http://qcnexplorer.org/
•  Create a model of an avalanche; to see how they work, go to https://sciencing.com/create-model-avalanche-4866747.html

CARE:

• Did you feel the earth move? The government collects information from people who felt an earthquake and creates maps that show what people experienced and the extent of damage.  Report local earthquakes at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/
• Practice earthquake safety by following the tips at http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-safety-earthquake.htm
• Landslides can be disastrous. What can prevent landslides? Watch the causes and interventions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCxvbosa4fU
• You never know when a disaster might come, so be prepared by building a family disaster kit: https://www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit

CAREERS:

The earth can provide a solid foundation for a great career! Be a mover and shaker by pursuing careers such as a geophysicist, meteorologist, and disaster relief expert.

https://content.wisestep.com/jobs-created-by-natural-disasters-calamities/

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/become.php

http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2005/08/careers-science-disasters

https://www.workitdaily.com/career-paths-disaster-management/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/disaster-management-specialist

Go Green!

This set of activities is being created on Earth Day: April 22. This annual observance started in 1970, and the message is as timely as ever: take care of the earth because it takes of you. What are YOU doing to “go green”?  Find out some ways here.

CONNECT:

• What is Earth Day, and how did it start? Read all about it at http://www.livescience.com/50556-earth-day-facts-history.html
• What is geen living? Find out at http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/greenliving/
• Take a look at Earth day by the numbers: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/earth-day/87036
• hese titles will help demonstrate how beautiful nature is, whether it's through stunning visuals, interesting facts, or both: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/green-games-for-kids-0
• NASA isn’t just about the sky; they have there eyes on the earth too; get active with them at https://climatekids.nasa.gov/go-green/

CREATE:

• Meet the Greens, and play games with them at http://www.meetthegreens.org/
• Play in Recycle City: https://www3.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm
• No need to buy art supplies; you can recycle lots of things around the house; try these recycled art projects: http://handsonaswegrow.com/recycled-art-projects-for-kids-green/
• We celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd but every day should be Earth Day!  Every Day is a great day to take care and appreciate the planet. Here are some other special days to celebrate the planet: http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/fun-earth-day-facts-activities-and-crafts-for-kids/.  Plan a party to celebrate Mother Earth.

CARE:

• Help keep our planet green; become an earth ranger. Find out how at https://www.earthrangers.com/
• Greenpeace is an international organization that fights for the environment. Get involved at http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/about/Greenpeace-and-You/
• Explore this eco-family comic website, and find out how to go green in your home: http://greenplanet4kids.com/
• Here are 45 ways to make going green fun: http://www.solarresourceguide.org/45-ways-to-go-green-with-kids/

CAREERS:

Go green and get “green” (that is, money). Yes, you can do well by doing good for a living. You can be an environmental scientist, landscaper, architect, cook, designer, writer, photographer, engineer, manufacturer. The sky is the limit – or rather the earth is. Here are some places to start:

http://www.greencareercentral.com/

https://www.bls.gov/green/home.htm

https://www.careeronestop.org/GreenCareers/green-careers.aspx?&frd=true

http://www.environmentalscience.org/careers/sustainability-and-green-jobs

http://www.letsgosolar.com/consumer-education/green-careers/

http://career-profiles.careertrends.com/stories/9332/highest-paying-green-careers-outdoors-nature

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/sustainable-earth/11-of-the-fastest-growing-green-jobs/#/rio-20-green-jobs-roof-top-garden_55050_600x450.jpg

Earth Day

April 22 is Earth Day. How will you honor your Earth Mother?

CONNECT:

·        Take a look at Earth Day by the numbers: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/earth-day/87036

·        The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists several books for Earth Day: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/kids/earthday.htm

·        Learn about Earth Day by watching these kid-friendly videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQIzoLURl2g

CREATE:

·        Go international, and play Canadian eco-games at http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/kids_home.cfm

·        Get colorful with this coloring and activities book from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/region5/earthday/happy.html

·        Try one or more of 50 Earth Day activities: http://tinkerlab.com/fifty-earth-day-activities/

CARE:

·        http://earthday2015.ca/25-ways-to-clean-your-commute/ has 25 ways to green up your trip.

·        Start a Recycle Rangers Club with these resources: http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/earthday/rangers.htm

·        Be a part of a billion acts of green: http://www.earthday.org/takeaction/

·        Decorate grocery bags for Earth Day: http://www.earthdaybags.org/

CAREERS:

Make some “green” by going green as a career.  Have a job where every day is Earth Day. Find out at:

·        http://idealistcareers.org/inspired-by-earth-day-here-are-jobs-volunteer-opportunities-and-events-to-explore/

·        http://www.epa.gov/careers/

·        http://www.childrenoftheearth.org/Navy%20Pages/eco_careers.htm

Get the Lay of the Land

Even if you never leave your neighborhood, you can explore: be it your back yard, your grocery store, or a toy. AND you can explore the world through books and technology. The Internet opens lots of opportunities for exploring, especially this November during Geography Awareness Week.

CONNECT:

• Here’s a great starting point: 10 online activities and resources for Geography Awareness Week: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/11/10-online-activities-and-resources-for.html#.Uo
• If you want to explore a huge treasure trove of geography activities, dig into http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/topics/geography-awareness-week-archive/?ar_a=1&audiences=1
• Every day is Pirate Day with the Real Pirates of the Caribbean: http://mediamaps.esri.com/real-pirates-of-the-caribbean/
• Mission US is a revolutionary way to learn history; play a character  at http://www.mission-us.org/

CREATE:

• Create your own treasure map using Mission Map Quest: http://www.classtools.net/mapgame/game.php
• Create tours with Google Earth Tour Builder: https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/
• Publish your own story map using one of the templates found at http://storymaps.esri.com/templategallery/
• Plan a virtual trip using one of the websites listed on http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/09/08/the-best-sites-where-students-can-plan-virtual-trips/

CARE:

• The mission of National Geographic Education is to teach people how to care for the planet, its resources, and its inhabitants. Check out their explorer activities at http://www.missionexplore.net/challenger/geographyawarenessweek
• Looking for ways to help and land round you? Try out one of the following ideas from National Geographic: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/idea/volunteering/?ar_a=1
• Be a part of the land; learn how to grow things at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Gardening_for_children
• The US Forest Service tries to instill kids with an awareness of the value of public lands; Explore the possibilities at http://www.fs.fed.us/kids/

CAREER:

The land is full of careers. Dig it at:

http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2005/spring/art01.pdf

http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/undergrad/beyond-coursework/careers-in-geography/

http://www.nccu.edu/academics/sc/artsandsciences/geospatialscience/careers-in-geography-earth-and-environmental-science.cfm