Biology: Aquatic Environments Lesson. The students will investigate an aquatic – riparian environment to identify the various living organisms found at the site. Download PDF (271KB)

Density Dances Lesson. In this activity, students are creating a model for the process that takes place inside the mantle of the earth. Students reflect upon the parallels modeled by the experiment and the actual activity related to convection currents within the earth’s’ mantle and crust. Download PDF (133KB)

Lake Sedimentology: Soil Particle Layering. The students will examine soil samples to build an understanding of soil composition. Download PDF (113KB)

Mountains of Doom Lesson. This survey will help understand the dynamic processes that shaped the crater interior and formed the lake. Download PDF (131KB)

Physiology: How Do Your Heart & Lungs Measure Up? The students will measure their heart rate and explore conditions that can affect it. They’ll explore the affects of various physical activities on their heart rate. Download PDF (137KB)

Bathymetry: Seeing What You Cannot See. The students will imitate mapping the ocean floor using the basic concepts of radar. Download PDF (632KB)

Chile Links

CIA World factbook about any country in the world. Check out Bolivia and Chile. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

Astrobiology Links

Astrobiology introduction. http://astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov/roadmap/

Life on the edge article—more weblinks related to extremophiles! http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast29jun99_1.htm

More information and additional lesson plans about life on the edge. http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/index_09sep99.html

Teachers and Students can explore more online activities with the NASA’s astrobiology institute. http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/teachers/

This link takes you to a site called PlanetQuest. This provides information about how scientists are using today’s technology to locate another Earth-like planet. http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov

Volcano Links

Contains a taped symposium for educators featuring discussions of volcanoes on earth, Io, and Mars, and ideas for classroom integration. There are also activities, photos, and fact sheets. http://quest.nasa.gov/ltc/volcanoes/io.html

Discover an educational resource that describes the science behind volcanoes and volcanic processes. http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/

Earth is not the only place with volcanoes. Learn here about volcanoes on the moon, Mars, and other places. http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/extraterrestrial.html

Geophysics Links

Take a look at an ocean expedition to explore hydrothermal venting on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/abyss/

Physiology Links

This site examines the potential health dangers of mountain climbing in high altitudes and deep-sea diving. http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/survivingextremes/

Extreme Environments

Students will consider the adaptation of life forms through natural selection to fill various niches and accommodate changing environmental conditions. http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/activities/makeitahabitat/

Books

1. Chile / by Cynthia Klingel and Robert B. Noyed. An overview of the geography, history, people, and social life and customs of the South American nation of Chile, the longest country in the world.

2. Let's visit Chile / Garry Lyle. General information about travel to Chile.

3. Chile & Easter Island/5th edition--Wayne Bernhardson. (the lonely planet) From the searing Atacama Desert to frosty Patagonian glaciers, this book highlights an array of diverse destinations.

4. Travels in a Thin Country: A Journey through Chile by Sara Wheeler. Squeezed between a vast ocean and the longest mountain range on earth, Chile is 2,600 miles long and never more than 110 miles wide - not a country that lends itself to maps, as Sara Wheeler discovered when she traveled alone from the top to the bottom, from the driest desert in the world to the sepulchral wastes of Antarctica. Eloquent, astute, nimble with history and deftly amusing, Travels in a Thin Country established Sara Wheeler as one of the very best travel writers in the world.