K-12 Geoscience Resources

This page features educational resources, focusing on the geosciences, for students in elementary, middle, and high school. This page is curated by Stan Liszka, CPG, a member of the Minnesota Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG MN). Additions to this page may be sent to [email protected] and will be screened before publishing.

YouTube Content

• Ask a Geologist - Through Rutgers Geology Museum, at https://youtu.be/JMeLsLD9bVk
• Volcano Moments with Dr. Janine Krippner – interviews with Volcanologists, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuvYphDRI2mXy_ro2Ty3N1g/playlists (be sure to check out her interview with Boris Behncke, Italy volcanoes)
• The Rock Cycle Song - A science music video that is simple but fun! https://youtu.be/G7xFfezsJ1s
• Ask an Expert - Geology - Oldest Rocks (Minnesota) at https://youtu.be/mnGw52UWKPM
• Lake Superior's Lava Legacy - An Introduction, at https://youtu.be/ARvECfPBK_Q

Website Resources

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - NASA has resources and activities for all ages of students that can be accessed and completed at home. https://www.nasa.gov/stem
• Waters to the Sea^® Mississippi River Adventure - Highly interactive site by Hamline University.  https://waterstothesea.org/mississippi/
• Map-making - A simple to use website.  http://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org/
• Test your Geology Knowledge - https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/ks3/gsl/education/resources/rockcycle/page3448.html
• Online mineral identification lab - Great for an 8^th grade Earth Science class.  http://profharwood.x10host.com/GEOL101/Labs/Minerals/index.htm
• Earth Science experiments - Fun ideas, and videos.  https://www.bealsscience.com/blog/categories/earth-science-experiments
• Explore Shale - Through Penn State, and very interactive. http://www.exploreshale.psu.edu/
• Clear Sky Charts - provides astronomical observing conditions for over 6300 observation sites in North America. https://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/
• Minnesota Skies: Star Map - a bi-monthly guide produced by the Bell Museum with information about upcoming moon phases, astronomy highlights, a custom star map, and stargazing tips. https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/astronomy/
• Vera C. Rubin Observatory - the newest (2025) Earth-based telescope located in Cerro Pachón, Chile, the Ruben Observatory website has resources on topics in astronomy and astrophysics with user-friendly investigation tools. https://rubinobservatory.org/education
• NASA's Earth Observatory - provides satellite imagery and detailed articles about Earth's climate, geology, and environmental changes. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov
• Earth How - a wonderful resource for basic explanations and visuals for geology, water, space, and biology. https://earthhow.com
• Volcano World - a huge resource for anything about volcanoes. https://volcano.oregonstate.edu/teaching-resources

Workshops

• Minnesota Minerals Education Workshop - Annual workshop supporting K-12 teacher education in mineral resources, curricula development, and implementation. Sign up here: MCMRE - MMEW