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USGS Education

Grade 8 - Focus on Physical Science
Science Content Standards
USGS Education Home / California Education Standards / California Resources

Grade 8 curriculum focuses on motion and forces. These concepts could be demonstrated with earthquake magnitude and intensity. Grade 8 science curriculum also includes planetary science.

Measuring the Size of an Earthquake: http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/general/measure.html
What is Earthquake Intensity? http://earthquake.usgs.gov/faq/meas.html#11

Earth in the Solar System (Earth Science)

e. Students know the appearance, general composition, relative position and size, and motion of objects in the solar system, including planets, planetary satellites, comets, and asteroids.


AstroKids! (USGS Astrogeology Research Program)

http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Kids/
This website provides instructional guides, activities, and information about all the planets, moons, and known objects in the solar system.

Earthquake Science Explained: Ten Short Articles for Students, Parents, and Families
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2006/21/
Short articles that presents some of the new understanding gained and scientific advances made in the century since the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. Concepts introduced in each feature are designed to address state and national science education standards. Written by USGS scientists, the articles go beyond traditional textbook information to discuss state-of-the-art thinking and technology that we use today.

Living in Earthquake Country: A Teaching Box
http://www.teachingboxes.org/earthquakes/
Focuses on teaching students about how and why earthquakes cause damage, exploring seismic waves, the predictability of earthquakes at specific locations, the difference between magnitude and intensity, the occurrence of earthquakes along patches of planar faults (they are not just a single point, but have lengths and widths), and the potential damage caused by earthquakes. At the conclusion, students are asked to select the best place to live in the San Francisco Bay Area. They will justify their selection by using the knowledge gained through this exploration.

Impact Craters
http://wwwflag.wr.usgs.gov/USGSFlag/Outreach/craterintro_page.htm
Website contains topic overview, links, and lesson modules

The Moon
http://wwwflag.wr.usgs.gov/USGSFlag/Outreach/moonintro_page.htm
Website contains topic overview, links, and lesson modules

Mars
http://wwwflag.wr.usgs.gov/USGSFlag/Outreach/marsintro_page.htm
Website contains topic overview, links, and lesson modules

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