Teaching Resources
Videos, Image Galleries, Webcams, Web Shorts and Other Multimedia
In the Multimedia section, find interviews with volcano scientists (Web Shorts), including Discovery Questions for the classroom; volcano monitoring animations; Mount St. Helens' videos and animations, which are useful for teaching about volcanic processes; image galleries for all the CVO volcanoes; and near real-time webcam images for volcanoes that have remote camera coverage.
USGS Volcano Teaching Materials
- Download the recommended principal teaching messages about Cascade volcanoes.
- This Dynamic Planet–a teaching companion—This teaching companion uses an existing USGS plate tectonics map and booklet to explain plate tectonics.
- Utilize the lesson plans and information in the Living with a Volcano in your Backyard—An Educator's Guide with Emphasis on Mount Rainier.
- The USGS Photo Glossary of Volcanic Terms—describes common geology terms in text and pictures.
- Cascade Volcanism, Seattle Times Newspapers in Education two part series—Part 1 and Part 2
- Traveling Community Exhibits—Five-foot long folding table-top exhibits about Cascade volcanoes are available for loan. Contact the CVO Outreach Coordinator for more information.
USGS Posters
- Eruptions in the Cascade Range over the Past 4,000 Years, USGS General Information Product 63—13 volcanoes on a map of Washington, Oregon, and northern California with time lines for each showing the ages of their eruptions.
- Geological Hazards at Volcanoes, USGS General Information Product 64—Geological processes and associated hazards at volcanoes.
- Thirty cool facts about Mount St. Helens, USGS General Information Product 10—A list of 30 facts about Mount St. Helens developed in the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruptions.
Partners in Cascades Volcano Education
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest Mount St. Helens Teacher's Corner—Teaching resources about Mount St. Helens volcano: lesson plans, field trip essentials, ranger-led programs, visitor center itineraries, and recommendations for education opportunities.
- Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center— Explore Mount St. Helens and learn about its eruptions and their influence on natural systems. Visit onsite at Coldwater or online and experience the natural wonder of this amazing natural laboratory.
- Mount Rainier National Park Education Center—Mount Rainier teaching curriculum, plus information about school visits to the park and professional development opportunities.
- Mount St. Helens Institute—A nonprofit organization devoted to helping people understand and protect Mount St. Helens. The Institute offers field seminars, guided climbs, lecture series, work parties, and outings to enrich visitors' experiences at the volcano.
- Mount Baker Volcano Research Center—A nonprofit group that provides a clearinghouse for information about Mount Baker geology, community presentations, and local volcano-related field trips.
- Washington State History Box: Ring of Fire - Volcanoes in Washington State—A box offered by the Washington State History Museum, which brings museum materials into the classroom. The trunk is filled with artifacts, images, classroom posters, maps, and cirriculum materials that allow students to experience history firsthand.
Meet CVO Scientists, Virtually
Watch video interviews with CVO scientists in our Multimedia section.
Q&A—Written Conversations
Read written interviews with CVO scientists discussing the importance of their work.
Use the interviews in your classroom, along with Discovery Questions below, to stimulate student thinking. These are questions to be discussed by teachers and students after watching or reading the interview.
Geologist Dave Ramsey—Learn about how to use special computer programs to make digital maps of volcanic surfaces and maps that show areas where people are at risk during volcanic eruptions.
Discovery Questions for the Classroom:
- What area or hazard is the scientist addressing?
- What methods or processes are used to collect evidence/data?
- How is the evidence or data analyzed and interpreted?
- What are the difficulties encountered?
- What challenges are overcome?
- What is the most interesting/important thing discovered?
- How does the scientist share knowledge with others?
- How is this information used by society?
- Why is it important to study and understanding this?