Science — Earth Science

Earth Science Lab Documentation Sheet

Grades K-12 | Aurora Curriculum Pack

Aurora Earth Science standard: Earth science documents systems — rock cycles, weather patterns, ocean currents, tectonic plates — that operate over time scales from seconds (earthquakes) to billions of years (continental drift). Your observations are snapshots of systems in motion. Document what you can measure now, and what the evidence tells you about the past and future.

Investigation Identity

Topic being investigated: _______________________________________________

Date: _______________ Location of observation (if outdoor): _______________ Grade level: _______________

Earth Science domain (circle one): Geology Weather/Climate Astronomy Oceanography Environmental Science Rock/Mineral Identification Plate Tectonics Water Cycle

Research Question

Background — Earth Systems Context

Which Earth system(s) does your investigation involve? (circle all that apply): Geosphere (rocks/land) Hydrosphere (water) Atmosphere (air/weather) Biosphere (living things)

In 2-3 sentences, explain how these systems interact in the phenomenon you are studying:

Materials and Data Sources

Physical materials used:

Data sources used (databases, archives, instruments):

Free Earth Science data sources: USGS (usgs.gov), NOAA (noaa.gov), NASA Earth Observatory (earthobservatory.nasa.gov), National Weather Service (weather.gov)

Hypothesis or Prediction

Field Observations or Lab Data

Option A — Field/Outdoor Observation:

Time	Location/Direction	What I Observed	Measurement

Option B — Rock/Mineral/Soil Identification:

Sample #	Color	Texture/Grain size	Luster	Hardness (scratch test)	Identified as
1
2
3

Map or Diagram

Sketch a map of your observation area, a diagram of the Earth system you studied, or a cross-section of rock layers. Label all features.

Draw your Earth science diagram or map here — label all features with compass directions if applicable

Data Analysis — Pattern Recognition

Describe any pattern in your data. What is increasing? Decreasing? Cyclical? Stable? Use specific numbers from your data table:

Time Scale Thinking — For Grades 5-12

Earth processes operate at vastly different time scales. What is the time scale of the process you studied? (seconds, years, thousands, millions of years?) How does the time scale affect what you can and cannot directly observe?

Primary Source / Scientific Database Connection

Find one piece of data about your topic from a free scientific database (USGS, NOAA, NASA). Record the source and one specific data point from it:

Human Impact Connection

How does human activity affect the Earth system or phenomenon you studied? Cite one specific documented example — not a general statement:

Documented Conclusion

Did your data support your hypothesis? What Earth science process does your evidence demonstrate? Begin with "My observations show...":

Aurora Pause

Earth science is the study of the ground beneath your community. Name one Earth science process — geological, meteorological, or astronomical — that directly affects the place where you live. What documented evidence exists for this process in your region?