Brenna Raines (right) educates earth day guest Bennett Butts about macroinvertebrates.
Do you have lesson plans or activities for the classroom?
The USGS Education website is your gateway to classroom resources. Explore links to lesson plans, activities, educational videos, online lectures, posters, non-technical publications, and images for kindergarten through college. This site is an excellent resource for teachers, students, and anyone interested in learning.
Our resources are organized by grade level and topic.
Related
I have written, or am interested in writing, a lesson plan related to USGS science. Can I donate my lesson plan to the USGS?
With rare exception, the USGS does not post information or materials unless they are produced in partnership with our agency. You might be able to find a USGS scientist who is interested in working with you to develop a lesson plan, in which case it could become an official USGS product. For more information, contact our Youth and Education in Science (YES) office.
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) does not have a formal program for providing field trips or classes. USGS employees will sometimes lead field trips or teach classes that are organized by outside organizations, but those are not advertised by the USGS. The USGS has published numerous field-trip guides to geologic areas. Use our online Publications Warehouse to search for "field trip" or...
Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices, but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
Does the USGS do classroom presentations?
The USGS has offices in every state, but education is not part of our mission and we do not have employees who go into classrooms as part of their job. Some employees, however, are willing to do so on their own time. If there's a USGS office in your town, contact them directly to ask about a speaker or presenter. Alternatively, teachers can sign up for a Virtual Classroom Visit from a volunteer...
Do you offer teacher discounts for your maps and other cost products?
Yes. Educational institutions qualify for discounts on purchases made through the online USGS Store. To receive any discounts you must first be set up in their system. Please fax your request on school letterhead (or on a purchase order) to 303-202-4693 and include your Federal Tax ID number ( not to be confused with your Federal Tax Exempt Number). For questions, call 1-888-MAP-DEAL (1-888-627...
Does the USGS give teacher workshops?
The USGS does not have a formal program for teacher workshops, but USGS scientists sometimes participate in teacher workshops that are organized by universities or other education groups. Our USGS Education website lists both resources for use in the classroom and easily-understood resources that teachers can use to educate themselves.
Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate?
Absolutely! The USGS has partnerships with several citizen science programs that are appropriate for classroom projects, for individual students, or for anyone who wants a fun and rewarding activity. See the Citizen Science page on our USGS Education website.
Macroinvertebrate Outreach at EESC Earth Day 2024
Brenna Raines (right) educates earth day guest Bennett Butts about macroinvertebrates.
Kat Cooney stands in front of an outreach table on the Flagstaff USGS campus
Kat Cooney stands in front of an outreach table on the Flagstaff USGS campus during the USGS Open House, Nov. 2023.
Kat Cooney stands in front of an outreach table on the Flagstaff USGS campus during the USGS Open House, Nov. 2023.
Anya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event
linkAnya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event about the Colorado River ecosystem, June 2023. Photo by SBSC, GCMRC.
Anya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event
linkAnya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event about the Colorado River ecosystem, June 2023. Photo by SBSC, GCMRC.
Eruption demonstration for educational outreach
Moanalua eighth graders experience a Trashcano eruption demonstration with liquid nitrogen for a school visit at UH Hilo. UH Hilo photo by Meghann Decker.
Moanalua eighth graders experience a Trashcano eruption demonstration with liquid nitrogen for a school visit at UH Hilo. UH Hilo photo by Meghann Decker.
Coastal erosion model outreach activity
An erosion model activity used by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
An erosion model activity used by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
Students examine a dated tree cross section.
During the 2016 BioBlitz at Bandelier National Monument, members of the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station presented fire history information which intrigued these young students.
During the 2016 BioBlitz at Bandelier National Monument, members of the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station presented fire history information which intrigued these young students.
Groundwater Outreach in Huron, SD
USGS Hydrologist Ryan Thompson demonstrated a groundwater model to a 4th grade class in Huron, SD, on April 2, 2015.
USGS Hydrologist Ryan Thompson demonstrated a groundwater model to a 4th grade class in Huron, SD, on April 2, 2015.
Earth Science Day outreach in Rapid City, SD, 2014
USGS student hydrologist Bill Eldridge demonstrates an interactive groundwater model to kids attending the Earth Science Day event on October 12, 2014, at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, SD.
USGS student hydrologist Bill Eldridge demonstrates an interactive groundwater model to kids attending the Earth Science Day event on October 12, 2014, at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, SD.
Outreach at Geology Camp 2008
USGS Hydrologist, Andy Long, demonstrates an interactive groundwater-flow model in the USGS South Dakota Water Science Center laboratory to students attending Geology Camp with the South Dakota School of Mines in 2008.
USGS Hydrologist, Andy Long, demonstrates an interactive groundwater-flow model in the USGS South Dakota Water Science Center laboratory to students attending Geology Camp with the South Dakota School of Mines in 2008.
Related
I have written, or am interested in writing, a lesson plan related to USGS science. Can I donate my lesson plan to the USGS?
With rare exception, the USGS does not post information or materials unless they are produced in partnership with our agency. You might be able to find a USGS scientist who is interested in working with you to develop a lesson plan, in which case it could become an official USGS product. For more information, contact our Youth and Education in Science (YES) office.
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) does not have a formal program for providing field trips or classes. USGS employees will sometimes lead field trips or teach classes that are organized by outside organizations, but those are not advertised by the USGS. The USGS has published numerous field-trip guides to geologic areas. Use our online Publications Warehouse to search for "field trip" or...
Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices, but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
Does the USGS do classroom presentations?
The USGS has offices in every state, but education is not part of our mission and we do not have employees who go into classrooms as part of their job. Some employees, however, are willing to do so on their own time. If there's a USGS office in your town, contact them directly to ask about a speaker or presenter. Alternatively, teachers can sign up for a Virtual Classroom Visit from a volunteer...
Do you offer teacher discounts for your maps and other cost products?
Yes. Educational institutions qualify for discounts on purchases made through the online USGS Store. To receive any discounts you must first be set up in their system. Please fax your request on school letterhead (or on a purchase order) to 303-202-4693 and include your Federal Tax ID number ( not to be confused with your Federal Tax Exempt Number). For questions, call 1-888-MAP-DEAL (1-888-627...
Does the USGS give teacher workshops?
The USGS does not have a formal program for teacher workshops, but USGS scientists sometimes participate in teacher workshops that are organized by universities or other education groups. Our USGS Education website lists both resources for use in the classroom and easily-understood resources that teachers can use to educate themselves.
Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate?
Absolutely! The USGS has partnerships with several citizen science programs that are appropriate for classroom projects, for individual students, or for anyone who wants a fun and rewarding activity. See the Citizen Science page on our USGS Education website.
Macroinvertebrate Outreach at EESC Earth Day 2024
Brenna Raines (right) educates earth day guest Bennett Butts about macroinvertebrates.
Brenna Raines (right) educates earth day guest Bennett Butts about macroinvertebrates.
Kat Cooney stands in front of an outreach table on the Flagstaff USGS campus
Kat Cooney stands in front of an outreach table on the Flagstaff USGS campus during the USGS Open House, Nov. 2023.
Kat Cooney stands in front of an outreach table on the Flagstaff USGS campus during the USGS Open House, Nov. 2023.
Anya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event
linkAnya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event about the Colorado River ecosystem, June 2023. Photo by SBSC, GCMRC.
Anya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event
linkAnya Metcalfe displays aquatic insect samples at the Flagstaff library during an outreach event about the Colorado River ecosystem, June 2023. Photo by SBSC, GCMRC.
Eruption demonstration for educational outreach
Moanalua eighth graders experience a Trashcano eruption demonstration with liquid nitrogen for a school visit at UH Hilo. UH Hilo photo by Meghann Decker.
Moanalua eighth graders experience a Trashcano eruption demonstration with liquid nitrogen for a school visit at UH Hilo. UH Hilo photo by Meghann Decker.
Coastal erosion model outreach activity
An erosion model activity used by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
An erosion model activity used by the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
Students examine a dated tree cross section.
During the 2016 BioBlitz at Bandelier National Monument, members of the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station presented fire history information which intrigued these young students.
During the 2016 BioBlitz at Bandelier National Monument, members of the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station presented fire history information which intrigued these young students.
Groundwater Outreach in Huron, SD
USGS Hydrologist Ryan Thompson demonstrated a groundwater model to a 4th grade class in Huron, SD, on April 2, 2015.
USGS Hydrologist Ryan Thompson demonstrated a groundwater model to a 4th grade class in Huron, SD, on April 2, 2015.
Earth Science Day outreach in Rapid City, SD, 2014
USGS student hydrologist Bill Eldridge demonstrates an interactive groundwater model to kids attending the Earth Science Day event on October 12, 2014, at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, SD.
USGS student hydrologist Bill Eldridge demonstrates an interactive groundwater model to kids attending the Earth Science Day event on October 12, 2014, at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, SD.
Outreach at Geology Camp 2008
USGS Hydrologist, Andy Long, demonstrates an interactive groundwater-flow model in the USGS South Dakota Water Science Center laboratory to students attending Geology Camp with the South Dakota School of Mines in 2008.
USGS Hydrologist, Andy Long, demonstrates an interactive groundwater-flow model in the USGS South Dakota Water Science Center laboratory to students attending Geology Camp with the South Dakota School of Mines in 2008.
Updated Date: December 26, 2024