Science Technology Integration Resources
Anatomy
Artificial Anatomy
anatomyArtificial Anatomy: Paper Mache Anatomical Models - Study some of the ways people learned about the human body in the past. Look at these paper mache models of humans, animals, and flowers to show students history intersecting with life science and
Atlas of the Body
anatomyThe AMA's envisioned future is to be an essential part of the professional life of every physician and an essential force for progress in improving the nation's health.
Bartleby's Anatomy
anatomyThe Bartleby.com edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body features 1,247 vibrant engravings-many in color-from the classic 1918 publication, as well as a subject index with 13,000 entries ranging from the Antrum of Highmore to the Zonule of Zinn.
BBC Science Human Body
anatomyExplore your memory by participating in a series of fun challenges developed by experts. Your answers will contribute to a national scientific survey.
Bio Animation
anatomyLiving Cell, Tissue, Human Body Interactive animated atlas of structure and function.
DNA Interactive
anatomy"DNA Interactive is an educational web site resource that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the DNA double helix structure. There are six sections to this web site: Timeline, Code, Manipulation, Genome, Applications, Implications.
Electric Heart (from NOVA Online)
anatomyThe companion Web site to the NOVA program "Electric Heart," originally broadcast on December 21, 1999. The program tells the story of a handful of brilliant, obsessed surgeons and researchers who have pursued the target of a practical artificial heart fo
Habits of the Heart
anatomyExplore resources for students and teachers interested in learning about the cardiovascular and circulatory systems. Movies of the heart in action, online and at-home activities, links to other sites about the heart and lungs, and much more!
Human Anatomy Online
anatomyWelcome to Human Anatomy On-line the place for fun, interactive and educational views of the human body.
Neuroscience for Kids
anatomyIntended for elementary and secondary school students and teachers who are interested in learning about the nervous system and brain with hands on activities, experiments and information.
The Respiratory System
anatomyOur lungs are amazing machines that can supply large amounts of oxygen to our blood. Sometimes the lungs don't work as well as they should. This can be because of a disease, allergies, or simply a cold or the flu.
The Virtual Body
anatomyShockwave tour of the human body. Recommended for students of middle school age or older.
Three Dimensional Medical Reconstruction
anatomyThis is a collection of movie clips, showing various medical reconstructions. These images are derived from slice data from a variety of medical image modalities such as MR or CT. The two dimensional slice data from these scanners is used as input for the
Unsolved Mysteries of Human Health
anatomyUnsolved Mysteries of Human Health: How Scientists Study Toxic ChemicalsThe Unsolved Mysteries features cutting edge research and tools currently used by environmental health scientists in the Environmental Health Sciences Center and Marine and Fre
Your Body
anatomyHuman Body Blending In But Staying Special - You might be wondering how lizards have ended up in a web site about the human body and organ transplants. Lizards are animals that have had to change and adapt in order to survive. Where they live deter
Your Gross and Cool Body
anatomyPoop, gas, dandruff, sweat, zits, earwax, digestion, circulation all from the Yuckiest Site on the web
Chemistry
General Chemistry Online
chemistryGeneral Chemistry Online - This rich resource for students and teachers of introductory chemistry includes interactive course guides and tutorials, an exam survival guide, reference tables, self-grading quizzes and exams, a searchable glossary, a question & answer board, answers to over 300 frequently asked questions, and a chemical trivia quiz. Created by Dr. Fred Senese, chemistry professor at Frostburg State University in Maryland.
International Boiling Point Project
chemistryInternational Boiling Point Project - In this international physical science experiment, students collect, share, and analyze data to determine what factors influence the boiling point of water. The Web site includes instructions, lesson plans, curriculum standards, and more. This project is managed by the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) located at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. See their Global Water Sampling Project
for another great collaborative science project.
Understanding Our Planet Through Chemistry
chemistryThis multi-author resource helps learners find out how earth scientists use chemistry.
Periodic Table of the Elements
xtraThe Chemistry Division's Periodic Table describes the history, properties, resources, uses, isotopes, forms, costs, and other information for each element.
NIST Physical Reference data
chemistryFrom the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this site links to physical constants, units, conversion factors, spectroscopic data, and much more.
Periodic Table Adventure
chemistryMiddle school teachers will love this website with 5 lessons and activities that introduce the periodic table. The Element Adventure Webquest allows students to research an element and create an advertisement for that element.
NIST Chemistry Web Book
chemistryThis comprehensive reference includes thermodynamic data for over 5,000 chemical compounds and on ion-energetics data for over 10,000 chemical compounds. Compounds can be searched by name, chemical formula, or CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) registry number. Includes information on enthalpy of formation, heat capacity, entropy, ionization potential, and appearance potential.
Chemistry Teaching Resources
chemistryUMEA University Analytical Chemistry Teaching Resources - This extensive, well organized hotlist of teaching resources should serve as an excellent starting point for chemistry teachers. Be sure to check out Matters of Public Concern for relevant issues and Curiosities Related to Chemistry for some fun enrichment ideas. By Knut Irgum of Umeå University in Sweden.
Acid Rain
chemistryThe smoke and fumes released from burning fossil fuels combine with moisture to produce acid rain. Join schools from around the globe to determine if the pH level of rainwater is affected by proximity to a fossil fueled power plant. This project was designed in conjunction with the Center for Improved Engineering & Science Education at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. It appears to be an annual project. Check the website for details.
CHEM4KIDS
chemistryChemistry can be easy to understand and fun. At this site, learn about elements and how they combine to make compounds. Read great explanations of basic terms along with handy tips and tricks to help you learn concepts like bonding and electron orbitals. Discover how the periodic table got its name and why it is a helpful organization for studying the elements. From Andrew Rader Studios.
Mr. Guch's Cavalcade o' Chemistry
chemistryThis site celebrates all things chemistry, with lesson plans, labs, worksheets, activities, handouts, and tests for teachers, as well as a helpdesk and tutorial links for students; also available in Spanish.
Creative Chemistry
chemistryCreative Chemistry offers worksheets, teaching notes, and fun activities. There are over two hundred pages of question sheets and practical guides, chemistry puzzles, interactive revision quizzes, molecular models, and the "Tune-up Garage" to help improve science investigations. Nigel Saunders, Harrogate Granby High School, North Yorkshire. Requires Java.
The Global Water Sampling Project
chemistryThe Global Water Sampling Project - In this science project, middle school and high school students gather and share data to compare the water quality of a local river, stream, lake or pond with other fresh water sources around the world. Projects run in Fall and Spring. This project is from the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) located at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Lab Tests Online
chemistryYou have to go a lab to have a test run following a trip to the doctor. Why? This site will tell you, in fairly plain language, what tests look for andEhow that test is done. Articles include Inside the Lab and Follow the Sample. Chem and Life Science lab teachers might want to use this site in the classroom to tie in good lab habits and careers.
Teachers Resources for ChemCom
chemistryChemCom, a chemistry curriculum written for secondary school students by the American Chemical Society, attempts to enhance science literacy by emphasizing chemistry's impact on society. This web site offers information about ChemCom and the ChemCom e-mailing list, links to relevant Web sites, eight real-world, problem-based units, and more. TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE.
Water What-ifs
chemistryThis water quality testing project encourages inquiry investigations of water quality in North Carolina and Delaware, but teachers outside these states will also find useful links, information, and lesson plans. Developed by Lisa L. Grable and April J. Cleveland for Science Junction.
MathMol
chemistryFrom the New York University Scientific Visualization Laboratory, MathMol (Mathematics and Molecules) is designed to serve as an introductory starting point for those interested in the field of molecular modeling. Includes Hypermedia Textbooks and K-12 Activities.
Science In The Box
chemistryScienceinthebox.com covers a range of interesting and entertaining topics! The site was created to share the science behind Proctor & Gamble's laundry and cleaning products with a focus on addressing sustainable practices and products which embrace social responsibility as well as environmental practices. Product development and other considerations are presented. Users can select topics can be saved into a File Basket, downloaded, and printed. The interactive pages are particularly fun - especially the history of washing - http://www.scienceinthebox.com/en_UK/publications/interactivecontents_en.html. The glossary in the side menu provides definitions for numerous chemicals and terms. Product safety sheets can get pretty technical; so there's something for everyone here on a subject that we might not give much thought.
SEED
chemistrySEED - Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development - offers learners a real world, real people context in which to develop their interest and excitement about science. The site includes articles about scientists and projects, experiments, teacher's guides, and an "Ask an Expert" feature.
ChemistryWeb Internet Resources
chemistryThis searchable gateway to chemistry sites includes annotated links to software, newsgroups, online journals, reference materials, teaching resources, and more.
Unsolved Mysteries of Human Health
chemistryUnsolved Mysteries of Human Health: How Scientists Study Toxic Chemicals - The Unsolved Mysteries features cutting edge research and tools currently used by environmental health scientists in the Environmental Health Sciences Center and Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center at Oregon State University. Users of the website are challenged with an environmental mystery that they need to solve by using specialized analytical equipment. The website includes interactive lab tours, on-line quizzes, interviews and links to scientists, glossary, and additional resources. This website was created by the Community Outreach and Education Programs (COEPs) of the Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Center and Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences (MFBS) Center at Oregon State University.
Wacky Uses
chemistryProducts we have around our classrooms and houses can be used for many things. Did you know that ChapStick can make a zipper operate more smoothly, or the Glad Flexible Straws can help start a bottle of ketchup? This list is a great starting point if you want students to learn more about the scientific process.
WebElements
chemistryThe elements in this online periodic table are extensively linked to essential data, adjacent elements, and chemical & physical data as well as background, crystallographic, nuclear, electronic, biological and geological information. You can even hear a pronunciation!
Earth Science
This subscription-based project "engages students the world over in celebration, study, and stewardship of one of the world's greatest river systems and of their own watersheds." Three inquiry-based projects engage students in hands-on local field study, Internet publishing, and dialogues with a diverse group of expert online guests.
World Builders
earthThis site supports a course about designing planets from a solar system through plants and animals. It includes lessons, many links to web pages, teacher resources, science notes, and planets created by teams of teachers who participated in the course. It is being tried out in a high school and bits of it have been used in the elementary grades. The website is in a state of ongoing construction, but over a hundred and fifty professor-authored pages are already in place.
Perfect Disaster
earthTyphoons, thunderstorms, and hurricanes, oh my! The Discovery Channel has created this engaging and not-so-subtle website to complement one of their recent programs, and it certainly will hold users?? attention. The site is divided into a number of sections, including one that includes a number of historic disaster puzzles. Here, visitors can piece together the post-eruption locale of Pompeii and the mighty tornado that swept through Kirksville, Maryland in 1899. In an area of the site that is quite informative, visitors can learn about the Fujita Tornado Scale, which classifies tornadoes based on their estimated wind speeds. Finally, the ??Anatomy of A Disaster? area allows users to enter a virtual tornado and learn about the dangers of solar-storms. Not for the faint of heart, this site brings heightened drama to some already hair-raising forces of nature.
Earthquake Hazards
earthUSGS Earthquake Hazards Program - Time to shake up your class. This United States Geological Survey website puts together materials about the past, present and future of earthquakes. Under Education, check out Earthquake ABCs, Today in Earthquake History and Cool Earthquake Facts. Students can learn more about Seismic Networks, How to Become a Geophysicist, and Current Earthquakes that may rattle their classroom.
Ocean Colors
earthIn this online activity, students (grades 9-12) interpret graphics by drawing conclusions and making predictions, identify causes of plant production in the world's oceans, identify patterns in ocean and land plant productivity, and compare and contrast ecosystems. Includes a teacher guide, online reference material, and activity directions.
e-Mission
earthe-Mission: Operation Montserrat - is based on a real historical event. The volcano on the normally tranquil island of Montserrat has come to life. As flaming pebbles and lava begin their devastation, emergency response teams learn a hurricane is approaching. Using real-time hurricane and seismic data, teams of student specialists assist Mission Control in saving the residents from certain destruction. Students to apply their science and math skills to an authentic crisis situation. During the two-hour e-Mission, student specialists serve as members of a team: volcano, hurricane, evacuation, or communication.
The Earth As A System
earthThe Earth As A System: an introduction to global change - In this University of Florida online course, students learn to view the Earth as a complex system of interacting components including the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and human activity. The Laboratory consists of web-based exercises that could be used in other settings.
Water Science for Schools
earthFrom the US Geological Survey, this site is for anyone who wants to find out more about the many aspects of water, from what it is to how we use it. The site uses pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center to help convey information. A glossary and links are also included.
Douglas Henderson's Earth History Illustrations
earthThis terrific site is posted by professional illustrator Douglas Henderson. Showcasing the blend of researched science and the fancy of human curiosity, the rich illustrations in this collection succeed on both counts. Helpful text also accompany the detailed drawings. Click through the geologic timeline of Earth history to visualize life in prehistoric times, thus entering a special place where earth's mysteries and complemented by one artist's ability.
Climatic Extremes and Weather Events
earth"National Climatic Data Center has developed both national and global data sets that have been used by both government and the private sector to maximize the resource provided by our climate and minimize the risks of climate variability and weather extremes. The Center has a statutory mission to describe the climate of the United States and NCDC acts as the Nation's Scorekeeper regarding the trends and anomalies of weather and climate."
Geography World
earthBrad Bowerman, a teacher from Jermyn, Pennsylvania, has put together this resource that links to everything on the web a geography teacher (cultural or physical) should need. A great find was the links to Maps and Globes, with lots of links to maps and a link to Map Jokes (with Map Haiku also at that website). In the Geography Quizzes area, a lot of the legwork has been done for you...you just need to decide which quizzes to use. World regions are represented with many links that could benefit students researching individual countries. Included in these links are resources created by Mr. Bowerman himself.
Space Available
earthThis site includes over fifty lesson plans for learning activities and longer term projects on remote sensing, imaging science, oceanography, meteorology and ecology. Links to required satellite images are included.
One Sky, Many Voices
earthThese four and eight week inquiry-based projects use technology to help middle school students learn environmental science locally and via interactions with peers and resources worldwide. Kids as Global Scientists Weather '99 runs February through April, Shared Air '98 runs in May, and Hurricanes runs in October.
The Color of the Ocean
earthParticles in water such as resuspension of sand and silt from the bottom by tides can change the color of the ocean near the coasts. However, for most of the world's oceans, the most important influence of its color is Phytoplankton.
Franklin Institute Weather Hotlist
earthIncludes links for Severe Weather, Atmosphere, Weather Forecasting, Weather Maps, Weather Right Now, El Nino (Niño), Background Information, activities, and more.
Building Stone of the United States: The NIST Test Wall
earthWhat stones do we use to build?EWhich stones weather best? Some of these questions can be answered at this website, which examines a test wall of building materials constructed in 1948. A great feature allows students to look at stones from different states or countries (many of the stone samples were collected in 1880) and examine the differences between the materials stored inside and those built into the wall and exposed to the elements.
Scholastic Winter Storms
earthStudents hear all sorts of stories about winter storms. This is your chance to tie those stories into the science of storms, and look at severe storms over the past three hundred years. Some favorites are the Interactive Weather Maker and the Winter Storms Timeline. A Teacher's Guide is included in this section.
Rickshaw or Rowboat (WebQuest)
earthAimed at 8th graders, this project allows students to explore the controversies surrounding global warming and climate change. This activity is eighth grade Integrated Science in Bangladesh but it could be adapted to higher levels and other locations very easily. Students should have previous knowledge of the water and carbon-oxygen biogeochemical cycles, as well as local weather events, collecting data on them, and basic understanding of the role of the ocean in regulating regional climates. This webquest was put together by Jo DeVries.
Space Science Education Resource Directory
earthTopics for these lesson plans and activities include Doing Astrophysics Research with an Artificial Earth Orbiting Satellite, Sine Waves, The Electromagnetic Spectrum, Images of the Universe in Different Wavelengths, Satellite Communications, Satellite Dishes, Constellations and the Zodiac, Solar System Objects, Earthquakes. Formerly known as Teacher-Developed Earth and Space Science Lessons and Classroom Activities.
Today's Earthquake Activity Around the World
earthIn this activity, students print and color-code a map based on seismic activity.
Tracking Drifter Buoys
earthIn this online activity, students learn how oceanographers measure ocean currents by tracking some drifter buoys over time. Includes a teacher guide, reference material, activity directions, and even downloadable spreadsheet files.
Virtual Earthquake
earthVirtual Earthquake (VEQ) is a web-based application that allows anyone to become a "virtual seismologist." Designed by Gary Novak, a professor of geology, VEQ provides a "hands-on" lesson on how to locate an earthquake's epicenter and how to determine its Richter magnitude. Users interpret simulated seismograms from three seismic recording stations in an effort to triangulate the location of an earthquake's epicenter. The user's results are plotted on a map and compared to the actual results.
Volcano World
earthEverything volcanos! This terrific Web site includes downloadable HyperStudio stacks, lesson plans, and a great FAQ section.
Ask-A-Geologist
earthThe United States Geological Survey, the principal source of scientific and technical expertise in the earth sciences within the Federal Government, sponsors this e-mail service for anyone with general Earth Science questions.
WeatherEye
earthWeatherEye is a weather education site, created by a forecast team working with local educators. This site includes a section for students in grades 2 to 8, a section for grades 6 to 12, a "Teacher's Lounge" and a parent's area. On-line lessons are designed to be easy to integrate into class schedules. Lessons put students in "real-world" situations, like driving through a blizzard or being the mayor of a town threatened by a hurricane.
Windows to the Universe
earthThis stunning NASA-funded site explores Earth and Space sciences and the historical and cultural ties between science, exploration, and the human experience. The site includes a rich array of images, movies, animations, and data sets. Teacher Resources include classroom activities and educational links.
An Online Guide to Meteorology
earthThis guide offers instructional modules that incorporate text, colorful diagrams, animations, computer simulations, audio and video to introduce fundamental concepts in the atmospheric sciences. Topics include Light and Optics, Clouds and Precipitation, Forces and Winds, Weather Forecasting, Severe Storms, Hurricanes, El Nino (Niño), and the Hydrologic Cycle.
Crown of Africa: Unlocking the Secrets of Mt. Kilimanjaro
earthCan you combine a geography lesson with fitness training? Learn about the history of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, and the gear and training it takes to make a successful climb. Study the geologic formations, and what those features mean to trekkers climbing the peak. The information comes from altrec.com, a lifestyle destination website.
Online Map Creation
earthThe Online Map Creation site lets you draw simple maps interactively. You give the borders of the desired map and specify options, and a map will show up on your Web page.
Canada's Aquatic Environments
earthExplore the habitats, animals, and plants that comprise Canada's beautiful aquatic environments. This online text book also links to abstracts of current research being conducted in Canada.
Arctic Theme Page
earthThere's more than Santa Claus at the North pole. Visit this website, compiled by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), to find out about life in the Arctic Circle. Under General Interest, find out about Native Peoples, Animals, the Northern Lights, and maps oriented toward the Arctic Ocean.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
earthThe Arctic is a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by tree-less, frozen ground, that teems with life, including organisms living in the ice, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals and human societies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, provides Arctic information and a set of reputable indicators that describe the present state of the Arctic ecosystem and climate. This comprehensive, near-real-time Arctic Change Detection Product has been developed by the US/NOAA Arctic Research Office to track physical and biological changes for presentation on the web.
Arctic Alive
writtingArctic Alive is a distance-learning environment for learners. Although the actual interaction with researchers has already taken place, teachers can use the background materials on the arctic, earth systems, and climate with students. Lessons, or investigations, often link to activities on other sites.
Build-A-Prairie
gamesPlant grasses and flowers, then choose the birds and mammals that will help your prarie survive. Watch what happens! This is a great way to learn about ecosystems.
CampSilos
earthCampSilos is an educational Web site focusing on the development of American agriculture. Targeting students in grades 4-8, the site provides online educational material related to the natural prairie, pioneer farm life, early agricultural technology, the story of corn from its early Indian origins to the present, and 21st century technological advances including applications of GPS and biotechnology. Activities and lesson plans feature such diverse activities as virtual field trips, mystery photos, group games, problem-based activities, primary source materials, scavenger hunt and history detective research using online resources and links to national standards. Students can even watch the birth of baby pigs!
Tour Canada from Space
earthGreat satellite images from the different provinces of Canada. Compare the types of remote sensing devices used for these shots, comparing the finer points of Landsat, Radarsat, and Spot MLA. For older students, tutorials explain the fundamentals, sensors, microwaves, and more.
Connecting the Continent
earthWhat does it take to connect a continent for communication? In these days of satellite transmissions, it does not seem like such a huge task. Go back in time, and across the continent of Australia, to 1870 to connect the continent together with an overland telegraph line. This website traces the route, the stories, and the settlements that grew along its path. Students can participate in a webquest, observe Virtual Reality (VR) images of the countryside, and hear audio clips of assorted residents. Flash and Quicktime are required for certain features.
Exploring the Environment
earthThis site, supported by NASA, presents environmental earth science modules that make use of remote sensing and information technology with a goal of engaging high school students in collaborative scientific inquiry and analysis. Module titles include Mars Landing, Strangers in Paradise, Hurricanes, Weather or Not, Korean Enigma, Rift Valley Fever, Mountain Gorillas, Temperate Rainforest, El Nino (Niño): The Child Returns, Tropical Poison, Volcanoes, Water Quality, Earth on Fire, and UV Menace.
CoVis Geosciences Web Server
earth"The Learning Through Collaborative Visualization (CoVis) Project is thousands of students, over a hundred teachers, and dozens of researchers and scientists working to improve science education in middle and high schools. They do this by approaching the learning of science more like the doing of science, and by employing a broad range of communication and collaboration technologies. " This site includes resources for designing and sharing projects & activities, data and visualization tools, information on mentoring, links to many geosciences sites, and more.
Dive and Discover
earthDaily updates and quizzes are available from this research project, sponsored by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The current journey is exploring a mid-ocean ridge projection along the East Pacific Rise off the western coast of Central America. See Plate Techtonics in action! Join the adventure before the trip ends on May 10. More trips scheduled in 2001.
Encyclopedia of Sustainable Development
earthCreated by the Atmosphere, Climate & Environment (ACE) Information Programme and supported by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to disseminate information on the causes, effects of and controls on air pollution and climate change. Major sections are: Earth & Man; Principles; Environment; Resource; Society; Economy; Indicators; Action; and Doing Our Bit. Within each major section are numerous sub-sections, each written in a brief narrative style with related links to definitions or related terms. Although British in flavor, the issues are global.
World Wide Web Pages for Dam Design
earthLearn about hydrology, concrete dams, enbankment dams, and spillways. All ages of students can benefit from knowledge of the ways water is stored, and shared. This website could be a starting point for examining dams and water usage in your region.
Earth Island Institute Project Directory
earthEarth Island Institute develops and supports projects that counteract threats to the biological and cultural diversity that sustain the environment. Through education and activism, these projects promote the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the Earth. The directory contains short descriptions and contact info to more than 30 grassroots projects.
Earth & Sky
earthThe award winning Earth & Sky radio program presents natural science in a fun and easy-to-understand way. The Web site includes the daily show (transcripts, real audio, and links), searchable archives of past shows, and more. There's even a contest for students who create a 90 second radio program!
Stormy Weather
earthLearn to use the Internet and software tools while doing atmosphere investigations for the middle school and high school, Earth/Space Science Classroom. All activities, especially the Weather Hunt, Storm Sampler and The Perfect Storm Webquest, are designed for use by cooperative groups and culminate in a final shared presentation. The Weather Hotlist and the Weather Scrapbook are easily adapted for use by individual students.
Exploratorium: Faultline
earthDesigned to provide some basic information about the nature of earthquakes, the site contains five primary sections. Under the Quake Basics heading, visitors can expect to learn about the basics of earthquakes, including some nice sections on plate tectonics, faults, and how scientists measure such phenomena. As the Exploratorium is based on San Francisco, visitors should not be surprised to find that the section titled Great Shakes includes information on the 1906 earthquake and the devastating quake of 1989 as well. There are some nice video clips here, including a video taken during the 1989 World Series and shots of the damage wrought by the quake in Santa Cruz.
Auroras: Paintings in the Sky
earthDeveloped by a high school teacher and Exploratorium staff, this well-designed site is an introduction to auroras and the processes that create these mysterious lights. Stunning aurora images are included.
Extreme Science
earthThe biggest, the baddest, the fastest, and the best in the natural world are all gathered at this Web site. It got a definite thumbs-up from our eight-year-old tester. Not easy on the eyes, but easy to use and written at a level that accommodates a wide range of users, Extreme Science provides pictures, short informational paragraphs, types of scientists who study these phenomena, and where to go for more information.
Rock Hounds with Rocky
earthGet your hard hats on and go digging for some fun and facts. This K-6 activity was developed by students and staff at Loogootee Community Schools and the Franklin Institute of Science. Teachers will find literature connections, ideas for Internet collaborations, and science activities to help students explore how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks are made. Short, easy to understand text segments are accompanied by illustrations. Be sure to see the West Elementary Internet Projects page for more projects and activities.
FireWise.org
earthLate summer and early fall is always a hot time in California when it comes to wildfires. This site educates reader to the main sources of fuel for fires, and how to spot potential hotspots near your home or school or library. Interactive quizzes are available, and lessons and field trip ideas can be found in Firewise for Educators.
How Volcanoes Work
earthThe San Diego State University Geology Department has created an online resource that combines print information, movies, and interactive quizzes. Quicktime is required for viewing movies/animations.
Geologylink
earthFor anyone who has ever been interested in "the world's daily geological rumblings," Geology Link is a "must see" site. You'll find breaking news on geologic events all over the world, the latest news and discoveries, hot topics, virtual field trips, interactive forums, an image gallery and more. From Worth Publishers, this site has something for everyone.
Wired Antarctica
earthLearn more about Antarctica; why is it important and what you can learn there. Researchers from prestigious institutions in Canada and the U.S. put together this site with lessons, worksheets, activities, and loads of information about this frozen continent.
The Globe Program
earthThis international science and education program coordinates the work of students, teachers and scientists to study and understand the global enviroment. GLOBE students "make a core set of environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data via the Internet. Scientists use GLOBE data in their research and provide feedback to the students to enrich their science education. Each day, images created from the GLOBE student data sets are posted on the World Wide Web, allowing students and visitors to the GLOBE web site to visualize the student environmental observations." Portions of this site are available in French and Spanish.
Virtual Cave
earthCaves are cool! Learn about Solution Caves, Lava Tube Caves, Sea Caves and Erosional Caves. Students can also investigate caves near their homes with links in the U.S. Show Cave Directory.
Weather Watchers
earthThis WebQuest for K-2 students explores concepts of weather including short term weather changes, the influence of weather on daily human life, the effects of severe weather on human life, and the benefits of weather forecasting.
Let's Have a Field Day!
earthIn this WebQuest, sixth grade students are asked to plan a field day for their class. Some of the integrated skills include using an almanac to assist in decision making, using and interpreting weather sources, and reading and drawing maps.
Global Sun/Temperature Project
earthDATES: September 26 - December 5, 2003 (Please register before October 31)Collaborate with schools throughout the world to determine how temperature and hours of sunlight per day are affected by your location and the equator. Involves general science, mathematics, language arts, and geography. They recommend upper elementary, middle school and high school students (ages 11-18). Students will: a) measure the temperature and record the number of minutes of sunlight per day; b) compare and contrast the results; and c) determine how proximity to the equator affects average daily temperature and hours of sunlight. There is NO FEE required to join this project. Sponsored by Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education
Weather (Annenberg/CPB)
earth"Weather" is inspired by programs from Planet Earth, a video series in the Annenberg/CPB Multimedia Collection. At this site, students can explore the forces behind the weather, try their hand at tornado chasing, or discover how wind chill works. Hands-on activities include topics such as the atmosphere, the water cycle, ice and snow, and forecasting.
The Science Poetry Center
writtingThis page is a place for students to post their own science poetry (having to do with Nature or Natural Science, including Life, Earth, Physical and Environmental Science topics).
Drink it Up??
earthWhat's in your water? Do you really know? Do you want to know? You should know, because without water, life as we know it could not exist on earth. This educational project encourages global school participation to learn about local drinking water. Classes are encouraged to test their drinking water and to post their results to the database for others to use as real data. At the end of the project, classes are also encouraged to post web pages detailing what they have done to research their drinking water, and talk about what their plans are to protect this natural resource. This project was created by Rosemary Shaw of Millennium Middle School in Sanford, FL, part of Semionole County Public Schools.
Fossilization
earthA cool way to help students understand the process of fossilization--especially which variables influence production of "good" fossils. The interactive part is totally Flash-driven and lets students choose variables which lead to short movies demonstrating the outcomes. Don't overlook the Manual located in the main menu of the web page. Includes a graphic, interactive glossary. Requires Flash.
Xpeditions
earthThis huge and growing site for geography educators and students contains more than a hundred original lesson plans and after-school activities for grades K-12, an outline map atlas with more than 1,800 free maps designed for printing or building Web sites, forums where teachers and students can discuss geography, and a fabulous 3-D virtual museum of geography built in the spirit of the game Myst.
Sila: Clue to Climate Change (Canadian Museum of Nature)
earthWe invite you to explore a place where climate is changing faster than anywhere else on earth: the Arctic. What's up with climate change in the Arctic? What does it mean for northern people, plants and animals? Where else in the world are similar changes happening? What can we do about it? Step right up and discover how climate change at the top of the world is everyone's business, no matter where you live. In conjunction with the website, there are three lessons related to climate change. Each has a downloadable presentation (PowerPoint) and additional information (http://www.nature.ca/sila/edu/edu_e.cfm). See the Site Map for list of all available pages (http://www.nature.ca/sila/mpcrt_e.cfm). Also available in French. A Canadian Museum of Nature Web site.
Carolina Coastal Science
earthProduced by science educator Al Bodzin, this inquiry-based science activity uses the Web to explore science in coastal Carolina. Teachers and students can use this web site independently or as a class using a number of different teaching strategies. In "The Shell Island Dilemma," students take on roles to investigate and debate complex issues surrounding oceanfront structures threatened by coastal erosion. A guide for educators provides a variety of teaching suggestions.
North American Drought: A Paleo Perspective
earthGlobal climate change is a topic of interest to all. This site, created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, looks at droughts in North America. Weather data is collected by using fairly modern technology, and by paleoclimatologists, which gather information about climate by studying the rings of trees and sediment. (added 12/15/00)
Science with OAR
earthThe goal of this site is "to provide middle school science students and teachers with research and investigation experiences using on-line resources." Topics include El Nino, storms (tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, and forecasting), atmosphere, fisheries, Great Lakes, and oceans, and each topic walks students through an introduction, information gathering, data gathering and analysis, application, and enrichment. From the the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and the College of Education at the University of South Alabama.
Hurricane of '38
earthLook back in time with this PBS site to study the science and history of this massive hurricane. The survivor accounts of the storm can be harrowing, so they might not be appropriate for younger students. Lesson ideas are available in the areas of history, economics, geography, and civics. (added 3/27/02, reviewed 3/8/04)
Planetpals Earthzone
earthPlanetpals Earthzone is an interactive site featuring characters that help teach kids the importance of caring for our planet and everything in it. Filled with free and fun activities for kids; a valuable source of earth science and ecology information.
El Nino or El No-no
earthCreated by teacher Keith Nuthall, this WebQuest has three parts: 1. Students obtain basic background information related to El Nino. 2. Students construct a mathematical model using both historical and real-time water temperature data from a buoy at the equator, and they then investigate the rainfall totals for San Diego during the same years. (1982-83,1995-96, present) The end result allows students to construct a model to determine if we are currently in an El Nino cycle. Students also obtain help from a national weather service expert that is working with the exact same buoy for his research. 3. Students write a speculation paper on the effects of El Nino on the rainfall in San Diego. After writing the paper, they submit the paper to a local community leader in charge of disaster preparedness for review. As do the best WebQuests, this one features interaction with information and community, concensus building within groups, no one correct answer, and stretching the limits of kids. Best of all, when students complete the project, they get to live out their speculation.
Sea and Sky
earthAn extensive site dedicated to the last two frontiers, the oceans and the universe. Explore the splendors of the sea and the wonders of the universe. Includes information, pictures, links, and interactive games.
SEED - Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development
earthSEED offers learners a real world, real people context in which to develop their interest and excitement about science. The site includes articles about scientists and projects, experiments, teacher's guides, and an "Ask an Expert" feature.
Exploring Planets in the Classroom
earthMore than 25 hands-on science activities are provided in classroom-ready pages for both teachers and students for exploring geology, earth, and planetary sciences.
Ancient Stones of Scotland
earthThis fascinating site is part of SCRAN, a searchable archive of history and culture. Links lead to pictures of natural and manmade stone outcroppings, with the local lore included. The glossary can pump up your vocabulary a bit, too.
TerraFly
earthHave students view their environment in a different way. Simply type in the address you wish to see, and TerraFly delivers an aerial view of the site.
Satellites
earthLearn the what, why and how of man-made satellites, then build one of three Java-based satellites with the interactive construction sets. Includes information about Communications, Earth Remote Sensing, Weather, Global Positioning, and gallery lesson plans. From the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California.
Higher Ed Geology Resources on the World Wide Web
earthFind out how Geology professors are using the Web! This site catalogs the best online courses by course title and by university. Also includes course resources and field trips.
Project SkyMath: Making Mathematical Connections
earthThe University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) has prepared middle school mathematics curriculum incorporating real-time weather data. The heart of this site are lesson plans for 15 classroom activities complete with support in English and Spanish.
Unsolved Mysteries of Human Health: How Scientists Study Toxic Chemicals
earthThe Unsolved Mysteries features cutting edge research and tools currently used by environmental health scientists in the Environmental Health Sciences Center and Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center at Oregon State University. Users of the website are challenged with an environmental mystery that they need to solve by using specialized analytical equipment. The website includes interactive lab tours, on-line quizzes, interviews and links to scientists, glossary, and additional resources. This website was created by the Community Outreach and Education Programs (COEPs) of the Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Center and Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences (MFBS) Center at Oregon State University.
Living in the Learning Web
earthLearn more about earth science topics that affect daily life including household water, weather's effect on streams, and preparing for volcanic eruptions.
Waterford Press
earthThis site offers free print-based instructional materials to support elementary natural science curriculum.
The Weather Channel On The Web!
earthThis site offers weather information including forecasts, information about meteorology, severe weather safety tips, and more.
Ecosystems
About Coral Reefs
ecoSysThe mention of coral reefs generally brings to mind warm climates, colorful fishes and clear waters. However, the reef itself is actually a component of a larger ecosystem. The coral community is really a system that includes a collection of biological co
Amazon Interactive
ecoSysExplore the geography of the Ecuadorian Amazon through online games and activities. Learn about the rainforest and the Quichua people who call it home. Discover the ways in which the Quichua live off the land. Then try your hand at running a community-bas
Arctic Studies Center
ecoSysThe Arctic Studies Center, established in 1988, is the only U.S. government program with a special focus on northern cultural research and education. In keeping with this mandate, the Arctic Studies Center specifically studies northern peoples, exploring
Biomes
ecoSysThese webpages were developed by approximately seventy 9th grade students at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon in 1997. This was an integrated Science, Literature, and Health project in periods 3, 4, and 5 (see links below). Information has been
Biomes of the World
ecoSysAlthough designed primarily for our students in Environmental Biology (Biology 102) and Ecology (Biology 318), we are placing it on the web for the benefit of students and interested people everywhere. The photography on this site has been done by Marie
Biosphere 2
ecoSysColumbia University environmental research activities and education programs in the Arizona "living laboratory" originally built for an experiment to test .
Changes in the Antarctic Ice Sheet
ecoSysThe Antarctic ice sheet changes in size over the course of a year, as you can see in this animation. When it is summer in the southern hemisphere (our winter) the ice sheet decreases in size. As the ice sheet melts it releases fresh water into the ocean.
Desert USA
ecoSysDesertUSA's purpose is to provide a tool for discovery -- a publication which entertains educates and explores with our readers, the beauty, life and culture of the North American deserts.
Ecoregions
ecoSysThe Critical Ecoregions Program offers a practical, long-term strategy to buttress the "web of life" on Earth. Region by region, the Sierra Club is developing multifaceted plans for every major land and water system in the United States and Canada, home t
Ecosystems
ecoSysLearn about the different ecosystems and biomes on our planet. Also, find out about the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles, as well as the food chain.
Habitats
ecoSysYou need only look out your window, take a walk outside, or stroll around your neighborhood to celebrate Geography Action! 2003-Habitats: Home Sweet Home.
Jungle Photos
ecoSysJungle Photos provides accurate information and excellent images to inspire people to support wilderness conservation and education.
Livin' Worlds Biomes
ecoSysEach biome section on this web site includes interesting facts about climate, location, animal and plant adaptations, land formation, and soil. The impact section includes information about social and environmental human disturbances that occur in each bi
Major Biomes of the World
ecoSysHave you visited any biomes lately? A biome is a large ecosystem where plants, animals, insects, and people live in a certain type of climate. If you were in northern Alaska, you would be in a frosty biome called the Arctic tundra. If you jumped on a plan
Mangrove Swamps
ecoSysMangrove swamps are coastal wetlands found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are characterized by halophytic (salt loving) trees, shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters. These wetlands are often found in estuaries, wher
MBGnet
ecoSysAnswer the question: What's It Like Where You Live? Learn about terrestrial biomes and aquatic ecosystems. Follow link to site about plants."
Mc Biology
ecoSysThis page has become a kind of backwater in our own web; we have a lot of NEW features that might be of interest to students and educators alike. Feel free to use these resources and link to them; just be sure to mention Marietta College so I can convinc
Mountain Biome
ecoSysColorado is divided almost right down the middle by the Rocky Mountains. In order to get to the other side of the state, humans had to figure ways to cross these mountains. Let's see how people dealt with and continue to deal with this physical barrier.
Neighborhoods
ecoSysBiomes are ecosystems where several habitats intersect. ... The energy cycle within biomes, habitats, and ecosystems determines which populations survive .
On the Line
ecoSysOn the Line was a millennium project that explored and celebrated the lives of people who live in the eight countries lying along the zero degree meridian line: Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Algeria, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.
One World Journey
ecoSysOur stories have been inspired, in part, by talented nature and wilderness photographers whose extraordinary images, along with their commitment to conservation, have served to inspire others to protect special wilderness areas and threatened species.
Photo-Journey Through a Costa Rican Rainforest
ecoSysA repeated piercing squawk fractured my sleep again, the same intrusive sound that jolted me awake each of the past two days. I knew its source was a bird, near the ground and probably within ten feet of my cabin, but hidden in the dense curtain of leaves
Principle Deserts of the World
ecoSysDeserts are arid regions, generally receiving less than ten inches of precipitation a year, or regions where the potential evaporation rate is twice as great as the precipitation.
Rainforest Action Network
ecoSysRainforest Action Network (RAN) is made up of 36 staff members in San Francisco, CA and in Tokyo, Japan, plus thousands of volunteer scientists, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens around the world. We believe that a sustainable worl
Shades of Green
ecoSysShades of Green: Earths Forests - Explore the world's forests -- find out how they function and evolve over time, discover the plants and animals that live in them, learn about the benefits they bring and the threats they are facing. Shades of Green:
The Everglades Ecosystem
ecoSys"The reasons for even considering the lower tip of Florida as a national park are ninety percent biological ones, and hence highly perishable."
The World's Biomes
ecoSysWelcome to the World's Biomes Page! Biomes are defined as "the world's major communities, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment"
Tropical Savannas
ecoSysTropical savannas or grasslands are associated with the tropical wet and dry climate type (Koeppen's Aw), but they are not generally considered to be a climatic climax. Instead, savannas develop in regions where the climax community should be some form of
What's a Wetland Anyway?
ecoSysAmong the most important ecosystems on Earth, the wet ecosystems of bogs, freshwater marshes, prairie potholes, forested swamps, and salt-water estuaries provide critical nesting, rearing, feeding, and stop-over habitat for bird and other wildlife populat
Wild Classroom Biomes of the World
ecoSysClick on a biome on the above graph for more information, informative videos, and links to scientist profiles, travel information, lesson plans and species profiles for each region.
Environmental Science
EarthTrends
environEarthTrends: The Environmental Information Portal - The World Resources Institute put together this database of datatables, country profiles, maps and other features that allow the general public to access a wealth of information. Use the pull-down menus under each topic, such as Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, or Climate and Weather, to find links to information.
Environmental Inquiry
writtingThe mission of Environmental Inquiry (EI) is to support teaching and learning about the environmental sciences through teacher education, curriculum research and development, and scientific inquiry by students and teachers in grades 7-16. This site offers resources to aid development of meaningful research projects in the areas of toxicology, watersheds, ecology and biodegradation.
EcoQuest: Desert Edition
environCreated by teacher Mark Kirk, this WebQuest was designed to help 7th and 8th graders learn more about the desert ecosystem. Students look at characteristics and challenges of the desert from different perspectives. After they learn about the desert and complete the assignments given to them, they design a multimedia presentation describing what they have found and present it back to the class. This project was designed to take about a week to do, with kids in groups of 5 or less.
Rickshaw or Rowboat (WebQuest)
environAimed at 8th graders, this project allows students to explore the controversies surrounding global warming and climate change. This activity is eighth grade Integrated Science in Bangladesh but it could be adapted to higher levels and other locations very easily. Students should have previous knowledge of the water and carbon-oxygen biogeochemical cycles, as well as local weather events, collecting data on them, and basic understanding of the role of the ocean in regulating regional climates. This webquest was put together by Jo DeVries.
Tox Town (National Library of Medicine)
environTox Town provides information on everyday locations where you might find toxic chemicals. It includes descriptions of chemicals and links to authoritative chemical information on the Internet. It also focuses on how the environment can impact human health. Tox Town uses color, graphics, sounds and animation to add interest. Tox Town's target audience is students above elementary-school level, educators, and concerned citizens. Tox Town also offers some resources in Spanish (http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/espanol/) and has a text version for folks who don't use Flash (http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/index.html).
Wilkes University Water Quality Help Guides
environThis site was put together by the Center for Environmental Quality at Wilkes University to help people learn more about their water and how it can be tested. Learn about hard water, bacteria, and odors found in water, as well as testing parameters for individuals and communities.
Actionbioscience
environActionbioscience.org is a non-commercial, educational web site created and managed by BioScience Productions, Inc. to promote bioscience literacy. This web site provides articles by scientists, science educators, and science students on issues related to seven bioscience challenges: environment, biodiversity, genome, biotechnology, evolution, new frontiers, and bioscience education. In addition, the web site provides educators with lessons and resources to enhance bioscience teaching. Actionbioscience.org articles are correlated to the U.S. National Science Education Standards and organized in easy-to-follow charts.
Advanced Buildings: Technologies and Practices
environHow can we make our towns and cities more eco-friendly? This website describes the best new construction and design practices for improving energy and resource efficiency. Environmental Studies, Drafting and Design, and Construction ideas blend in this easy to navigate website sponsored in part by the Canadian government.
AfriCam
environ"Always live, always wild." Travel with your students to learn about wildlife across Africa. The live webcams feature areas such as Kruger National Park, Etosha, and Madikwe. Field Guides and articles give students wonderful information about the wildlife they are viewing. Webcams are a great way for students to learn about international time zones.
Agriculture in the Classroom
environThis USDA site is a combined effort of teacher volunteers in every state and provides lessons and information for the teaching of agriculture. Agriculture in the Classroom web site is sponsored by the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, Extension Service Agriculture in the Classroom Program, and Higher Education Programs and is managed through a cooperative agreement with Utah State University. This web site is endorsed by the American Association for the Advancement Science.
Satellite Telemetry in Rehabilitation and Research (Alaska Sealife Center)
environSatellite telemetry tags are used to track many different types of animals, including marine mammals and seabirds. By using satellite tags, we can learn important information such as habitat use and range of movement. As you navigate through this site you will find activities that have been designed to introduce your students to research involving marine animals and satellite telemetry. Activities are divided based on grade levels. Simply click on the button that your class falls under. Also includes videos, animal fact sheets, and a method for asking experts questions.
Acid Rain
environThe smoke and fumes released from burning fossil fuels combine with moisture to produce acid rain. Join schools from around the globe to determine if the pH level of rainwater is affected by proximity to a fossil fueled power plant. This project was designed in conjunction with the Center for Improved Engineering & Science Education at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. It appears to be an annual project. Check the website for details.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
environThe Arctic is a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by tree-less, frozen ground, that teems with life, including organisms living in the ice, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals and human societies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, provides Arctic information and a set of reputable indicators that describe the present state of the Arctic ecosystem and climate. This comprehensive, near-real-time Arctic Change Detection Product has been developed by the US/NOAA Arctic Research Office to track physical and biological changes for presentation on the web.
Be WorldWise
environTravel the seas virtually aboard a Tall Ship on a 19 month,22 country voyage. On board, you will learn about the two teachers who signed on for the journey and their fellow crew members. Although the journey began in November of 2000, there are 12 months left to follow, so join in and track their progress. Classroom activities and lessons on Exploring the Oceans and Environmental Investigations.
The British Library: Listen to Nature [Real Player]
environThe British Library's new Listen to Nature web site features 400 recordings selected from the more than 150,000 animal sounds held by the Library. Listen to Nature can be browsed by location, animal type, or habitat.
Bridging the Watershed
environThis website features online activities that students can complete either individually or in groups. While looking at National Parks in the Washington D.C. area, they can learn the characteristics that can help them identify plants, macroinvertebrates, and fish. They also apply this information to learn which plants, macroinvertebrates, and fish are signs of a healthy watershed. Teachers can use student service project ideas in their communities, or extend the lesson by investigating and comparing local watershed areas.
Bridging the Watershed
environThis website features online activities that students can complete either individually or in groups. While looking at National Parks in the Washington D.C. area, they can learn the characteristics that can help them identify plants, macroinvertebrates, and fish. They also apply this information to learn which plants, macroinvertebrates, and fish are signs of a healthy watershed. Teachers can use student service project ideas in their communities, or extend the lesson by investigating and comparing local watershed areas.
In Search of the Ways of Knowing Trail
environYour trip to the village of Epulu takes a detour when your jeep experiences mechanical failure. You are forced to walk through the Ituri Forest in central Africa accompanied by four youths from different local cultures. Along the way, you'll make choices and learn about plants, animals, and survival. A Forest Factbook serves as a glossary. Totally Flash-driven. Could get noisy!
Get A Life Cycle: Salmon's Life
environCome along with Starfish as he follows Sammy the Salmon's life cycle. Authors provide links to other fun sites such as a salmon story, games, information about Sammy and much more.
Toxic House
environTotally Flash-driven, provides a quick and interesting overview of the dangerous chemicals in our very own homes! It's one of several interactive offerings found at http://www.cbc.ca/tvarts/interactive/environ
and offered by CBC Television (Canada). As you explore various rooms in the Toxic House, you discover the bad things that commonly exist in many modern homes. Links take you to more information about the toxin. It's simple, yet engaging.
Sea Turtle Satellite Tracking Program
environThis marine biology resource lets you follow migratory movements of endangered sea turtles tracked by satellite. Learn about turtle species, behaviors, and the threats they face as you follow the progress of turtles released in Florida, Baja, and South Carolina. Teachers can request a free guide.
Exploring the Environment
environThis site, supported by NASA, presents environmental earth science modules that make use of remote sensing and information technology with a goal of engaging high school students in collaborative scientific inquiry and analysis. Module titles include Mars Landing, Strangers in Paradise, Hurricanes, Weather or Not, Korean Enigma, Rift Valley Fever, Mountain Gorillas, Temperate Rainforest, El Nino (Niño): The Child Returns, Tropical Poison, Volcanoes, Water Quality, Earth on Fire, and UV Menace.
Chesapeake and Coastal Bay Life
environExtensive site produced as a joint effort by several people associated with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Includes broad topical headings such as: Restoration & Protection, Bay Grasses, Harmful Algae, Bay Monitoring, Bay Life Guide, and Bay Education. Dropdown menus for each topic may lead to programs, scientific descriptions, drawings, photos, and more. Within the articles, hyperlinks exist to a glossary of scientific terms. Cool stuff, kid friendly, and meaningful to more than a Maryland audience!
Horseshoe Crabs (Maryland Department of Natural Resources)
environThis comprehensive site covers Life History, Anatomy, The Fishery, Conservation, Medical Uses, Raising Horseshoe Crabs in the Classroom, and How you can Help. Within each category are sub-topics and references to scientific articles (links to other sites would be better). A built-in glossary is used to define difficult, highlighted words when you hold your mouse over them. If you happen to be in Maryland, you might want to check out the offerings on the Education Classroom Resources page (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/education/classroom.html)
Energy Cost Calculators (Federal Energy Management Program)
environ
Let your students do a little research, combining environmental studies, mathematics, and business. The Energy Cost Calculators Web site allows visitors to calculate lifetime energy cost savings for products at various efficiency levels and hours of operation. Easy to use once you have all the information; by allowing students to gather the information from the local community (their parents, school staff, local utility companies) they can learn about recouping the costs of energy efficient upgrades.
National Environmental Education (EE) Week
environNational Environmental Education (EE) Week is the single largest organized environmental education event in U.S. history. It will increase the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of educational preparation, learning, and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. National EE Week will involve thousands of educators and millions of students. It is coordinated by the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF) in cooperation with hundreds of outstanding schools, environmental education organizations, education associations, state and federal agencies.
eNature
environKudos to the National Audobon Society for this great site. Now, you have access to field guides for more than 4800 species of plants and animals. Start a list for you, as an individual or for your class, and add species as you see them. Find out more about various habitats in the US, or ask an expert about a species you have observed.
Energy Quest
environThis site illuminates energy in all its forms. Loaded with games, puzzles, and other interactive fun, the site also includes extensive resources. From the California Energy Commission.
EnergyNet Community Web
environIn this science project, "students evaluate their school's heating and lighting systems, and then share their data. Students thus form scientific research communities in which they learn about the production, cost, and management of the energy upon which both their school and their society depend."
Home Improvement Toolbox
environThe Toolbox offers an array of interactive tools to helps consumers make energy-saving, cost-effective upgrades to their homes. The Home Energy Yardstick lends itself to a classroom exercise where students can bring in their home fuel use and costs for the year, then compare their average to other homes in their area. The Home Doctor addresses issues in homes (and schools) and provides possible solutions. Teachers of younger students might want to check out the links at http://www.epa.gov/nrgystar/kids.html.
Environmental Literacy Council
environThe Environmental Literacy Council gives teachers the tools to help students develop environmental literacy: a fundamental understanding of the systems of the world, both living and non-living, along with the analytical skills needed to weigh scientific evidence and policy choices. Take a look at the Site Map to get a massive list of topics (Air Quality, Acid Rain, Dust, Climate on Mars, Greenhouse Gases, Indoor Air, Noise Pollution, Weather, Biodiversity, National Parks, Biomes, Amphibians, Microorganisms, Fossil Fuels, Nuclear Energy, Solar Energy, Transportation, Geography of War, Green Design, Water Cycle, Paleoclimatology, and more.) There are Teaching Resources at http://www.enviroliteracy.org/category.php/17.html which lists labs, activities, and lesson plans and is not the same as the "For Teachers" page.
Evironmental Protection Agency for Kids
environThe EPA Environmental Kids Club is our Web site for kids. We'll help you explore your environment and learn how to protect it. We've got games, pictures, and stories.
Evironmental Protection Agency for Teachers
environThis site is for both formal and nonformal educators who wish to teach about the environment. It offers background information on a variety of topics, lesson plans, and activities that work in and out of the classroom. You will also find information on workshops, conferences, grants, awards and a variety of other information that will assist you in your educational goals whether you teach in a traditional classroom setting, an outdoor classroom, a community center or in your home.
Estuary Live!
environEstuary Live will take place May 8-12, 2000. Free to participants (but please sign up in advance), the field trip will explore the Rachel Carson Site of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, covering four islands and salt marshes off the North Carolina coast. Some of the lessons on the site currently include "Estuary Environments - My Environment: How Do They Connect?" and "Is It Really That Hot at the Beach? Resources include motion picture and still images of estuary inhabitants. The "Frequently Asked Questions" section covers a lot of the technical issues surrounding the webcast sessions in May.
Virtual Ocean
environPart of the website "An Introduction to Microscopy," these pages show what sea creatures can look like in larval form, as well as microscopic algae, sea squirts, and other smaller, often overlooked sea dwellers. Included on the main page is a link to "The Smallest Page on the Web." which higlights microscopic life in fresh water.
EuroTurtle
environEuroTurtle, despite the name, covers turtles worldwide. This great resource has information on the biology of turtles, species of turtles, their location, and their chances for a long and happy life. Early childhood teachers can share great images and information with their students, while older students can spend hours accessing the information and activities on the site.
Exploratorium: Global Climate Change Research Explorer
environAt this website, you can explore scientific data relating to the atmosphere, the oceans, the areas covered by ice and snow, and the living organisms in all these domains. Study the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and global effects and access current research of our changing world. There are great links included for student researchers.
exZOOberance
environexZOOberance is dedicated to those who love and support the animal kingdom. The pictures ofE animals make this site a joy for animal lovers of all ages. (Readers are invited to add toE information about the animals listed). News articles regarding all things touching theE animal kingdon can tie Life Science in with current events. (added 9/15/01, reviewed 9/15/01)
Virtual Field Trips
environTake your students on nature field trips through the Web. Each field trip covers a single topic such as salt marshes or volcanoes. Sites are arranged in sequential order to build a story and include a series of "trail markers" or stops, that describe each site on the field trip to guide students' learning. If logs or journals are required, every field trip has a set of prepared documents that you can print out for each person on the trip. Also included are short teacher's guides and selected other Web sites that provide background or curriculum guidance. (added 1/28/00)
Field Trips Site
environThe Field Trips Site is targeted to K-12 education and features a range of field trips on nature topics: Rainforests, Endangered Species, Salt Marshes, Volcanoes, and more. AE good resource for classroom use, with teacher objectives and resources are provided for eachE trip. (added 9/15/01, reviewed 9/15/01)
Biodiversity and Conservation: The Web of Life
environThousands of species may be vanishing each year as a result of pollution, over-harvesting, habitat degradation, and other human actions. We depend upon biodiversity in our everyday lives to supply us with a healthy environment and many natural materials that are sources for food, medicine, and other economically important products. On this site you can investigate biodiversity; find out about events and workshops; meet scientists; explore global diversity; learn how to Take Action! as well as take a look at The Field Museums many educational programs, workshops, and downloadable teachers guides. Contains an interactive map of researchers studying biodiversity around the world. Requires Flash Player.
Globalization101.org
environGlobalization101.org is a free website geared toward high school and college teachers and students. The website offers news analyses, issue briefs, lesson plans, and more on issues related to globalization. There are issue briefs on the environment, trade, technology, international law, culture, and many more areas. (added 9/28/05, reviewed 9/28/05)
The Globe Program
environThis international science and education program coordinates the work of students, teachers and scientists to study and understand the global enviroment. GLOBE students "make a core set of environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data via the Internet. Scientists use GLOBE data in their research and provide feedback to the students to enrich their science education. Each day, images created from the GLOBE student data sets are posted on the World Wide Web, allowing students and visitors to the GLOBE web site to visualize the student environmental observations." Portions of this site are available in French and Spanish.
Fuel Cells and Energy (GM)
environThe secret to harnessing hydrogen's power is the fuel cell.The fuel cell's only emissions are water vapor and heat. The power produced can be used to run electric motors. From General Motors, this site is part of their larger K-12 educational offerings. Take an interactive tour, use links to related articles from other web sites, read an interview with a fuel cell engineer, play games afterward to test what was learned. Although located in the grades 5-8 section, it can be enjoyed and used by a wider audience. Lesson plan ideas involving energy can be found at http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/edu_k-12/teachers/plans/index.htmlenviron
(added 5/2/03, reviewed 9/25/03)
Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES)
environLong-term research in the environment can capture students' imaginations and fuel an interest in science. Designed for middle and high school students, this website lets them explore research sites across the United States and Antarctica, and discover the issues confronting the environment in different region. Students can take a virtual tour, learn about new research, read about HBES scientists, and more. Teachers can access activities and information designed to help teach students about the HBES. (added 2/23/02, reviewed 1/20/03)
International Symposium on Environmental Issues
environIn this WebQuest, eighth and ninth grade students investigate the Antarctic ecosystem to determine if there could be a relationship between the depletion of high altitude ozone and a decline in the penguin population. The students then propose three actions that would prevent the depletion of high altitude ozone layer and present their findings to the International Symposium on Environmental Issues.
International Symposium on Environmental Issues
writtingIn this WebQuest, eighth and ninth grade students investigate the Antarctic ecosystem to determine if there could be a relationship between the depletion of high altitude ozone and a decline in the penguin population. The students then propose three actions that would prevent the depletion of high altitude ozone layer and present their findings to the International Symposium on Environmental Issues.
The Imagination Factory
environThe Imagination Factory integrates art with science and social studies to teach recycling concepts in a fun and entertaining way. Visitors learn how to make art using easy to obtain solid waste as a source of free materials. Some of the activities include drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, papier-mâché, marbling and crafts, and a special section for holiday art and crafts is featured. The Imagination Factory is located in Columbus, Indiana, an American city famous for its modern architecture and preserved 19th Century structures. Columbus has the world's greatest concentration of modern buildings designed by famous architects, and people come from all over to see and study the architecture. A special section at the site entitled "A Kid's Columbus" introduces visitors to the field of architecture, and it takes them on a virtual tour of things of interest to children. (added 4/7/97, reviewed 1/27/03)
KidsGardening.Com
environPlanning a classroom garden and need a little virtual help? Or, your garden is growing great but you need ways to stimulate learning in this environment? This site, developed by the National Gardening Association, supplies many creative ideas for teachers and parents to use while gardening with children. Learn about theme gardens, participate in an activity (like Plant a Question), or connect with another "garden" teacher. (added 4/15/00)
Kids Planet
englishThis site was created by the Defenders of Wildlife, an organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. This interdisciplinary site has wonderful animation, color and sound. It contains a variety activities and lessons that are appropriate for grades K-12.
Kit & Kaboodle
environKit & Kaboodle is a highly interactive and interdisciplinary online elementary science curriculum. With hands-on class investigations, simulations, and collaboration opportunities, the pilot "Water Detectives" module offers an engaging look at water quality. The instructional framework is based on the 5-E model (engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate), and support for teachers is built in. Embedded assessment for both Internet skills and key concepts allows teachers to keep track of each student's progress. Funded by the National Science Foundation, UPS, Mind spring, and others. You must register to use this free curriculum.
Global Warming Facts and Our Future (Koshland Science Museum)
environClimate Warming Is a Global Problem; but the impacts and potential solutions will affect us locally and in many different ways. The challenge for each of us and for our policy makers is to pursue effective responses that are as fair as possible to all people and nations. In this exhibition the National Academies provide scientific information to help us make informed decisions and to help answer some important questions. Sections cover The Greenhouse Effect , Carbon Cycle, Causes of Change, Past Change, Predicted Change, Impacts of Change, and Responses to Change. While the focus is on visiting the Koshland Science Museum, there are additional pre- and post-activities which adhere to the National Academies?? National Science Education Standards in the Teaching and Learning section. (added 10/4/04, reviewed 10/4/04)
Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Science
environLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's ELSI in Science program, a pilot site for middle school and high school students, is designed to stimulate discussions on the implications of selected areas of scientific research. Topics include basic vs. applied research, breast cancer screening, air pollution, genetic patents, medical privacy, and sustainable development. (added 11/25/95, reviewed 8/12/99)
Garbage: How can my community reduce waste?
environ"Garbage" is inspired by programs from Race to Save the Planet, a video series in the Annenberg/CPB Multimedia Collection. At this project site, students can learn about the waste disposal habits of the average American and solutions to solve problems related to garbage in the environment. Included are an interactive Hazardous Waste quiz, problem-solving exercises, related resources, and much more. (added 3/22/99, reviewed 4/9/99)
Journey North
This annual Internet-based adventure engages students in a global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change. Students predict the arrival of spring from half a world away. From the Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Project. (added 2/25/97, reviewed 3/8/04)Journey South: A global study of wildlife migration (Annenberg/CPB)
environStarts August 15, 2003 and is the reverse of Journey North (http://www.learner.org/jnorth/). The journeys of migratory species are tracked. Students share their own field observations with classrooms across the Hemisphere. Students are linked with scientists who provide their expertise directly to the classroom. Several migrations are tracked by satellite telemetry, providing live coverage of individual animals as they migrate. As the season sweeps across the Hemisphere, students note changes in daylight, temperatures, & all living things as the food chain comes back to life.
Youth In Action Network
environYouth In Action Network is designed to help educators, students and concerned individuals from all over the world come together to engage in social action. Current main topic areas include the environment and human rights. Youth In Action Network is built around three components integral to participating in social action: Learn, Communicate, and Take Action. This service has the particular goal of providing students with everything they need to influence decisions that affect their world. (added 5/22/96, reviewed 4/22/99)
Drink it Up??
environWhat's in your water? Do you really know? Do you want to know? You should know, because without water, life as we know it could not exist on earth. This educational project encourages global school participation to learn about local drinking water. Classes are encouraged to test their drinking water and to post their results to the database for others to use as real data. At the end of the project, classes are also encouraged to post web pages detailing what they have done to research their drinking water, and talk about what their plans are to protect this natural resource. This project was created by Rosemary Shaw of Millennium Middle School in Sanford, FL, part of Semionole County Public Schools.
The Evergreen Project Adventures
environThis attractive site features What's It Like Where You Live? (resources on biomes and aquatic ecosystems for students in grades 4 and up), Partners For Growing (plant investigations for primary students), and WebWorkShops (online credit courses for teachers). Produced in collaboration with the Missouri Botanical Garden. (added 4/17/99, reviewed 4/24/99)
Mountain Voices
environHow does development affect individuals in different countries? Oral testimonies have been gathered from communities in the Himalaya, the Andes, the Sierra Norte, Mount Elgon, the highlands of Ethiopia and Lesotho, China, the Sudety mountains and the Karakorum mountains. Students can learn of the past and present of many native peoples in the world, as well as the realities of the global economy in these regions. (added 12/18/01, reviewed 12/18/01)
My Health My World
environMy Health My World is a project sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine for students, parents and teachers. This site contains educational materials on current environmental issues for students in grades K-4. The goal of the My Health My World project is to promote a deeper understanding of the relationships between the environment and health, while conveying the excitement of "doing science" with elementary school students. (added 9/20/02, reviewed 9/24/02)
NAAEE
environNorth American Association for Environmental Education - is the professional association for environmental education. Our members promote professional excellence in nonformal organizations, K-12 classrooms, universities (both instructors and students), government agencies, and corporate settings throughout North America and in over 55 other countries. Since 1971, the Association has created opportunities for its members to improve their skills in creating and delivering programs and services that teach people how to think, not what to think.
Crittercam (National Geographic)
environCrittercam features a camera and environmental data sensors attached to an animalfrom a shark or turtle to a lion or sealthat capture amazing wild behavior unaffected by humans. Crittercam lets you view short animal videos, longer streamed episodes from the TV channel (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/channel/crittercam/), interactive missions, games, quizzes, standards-based lessons, and more. Maintains the same high standards as all National Geographic offerings. (added 4/2/04, reviewed 4/2/04)
Geography Action! (National Geographic)
environGeography Action! is an annual conservation and awareness program designed to educate and excite people about natural, cultural, and historic treasures. Each year, they will present a different topic related to conservation and the environment. The Geography Action! program features: a) Kids Take Action!, an activity-based conservation awareness program ; b) Geography Awareness Week, a series of events to celebrate conservation; c) Lesson Plans; d) Games; and e)Photo Galleries. Topics so far include: Biodiversity, Conservation, Habitats, Population, Rivers, U.S. Public Lands.
WildCam: Otters
environThis site is brought to you by National Geographic and links to live otter cams, otter video, and otter resources on the web. (added 5/4/00)
National Geographic WildWorld
environAt this site, your students can learn the latest about the rarest and most endangered areas on earth, as well as fragile ecosystems in their own region. Sights and Sounds brings interviews and information about specific regions of the world. The current focus is the Bering Sea. The WildWorld Contest, in which classes submit a scrapbook, entries are due March 23, 2001. (added 1/26/01)
Sila: Clue to Climate Change (Canadian Museum of Nature)
environWe invite you to explore a place where climate is changing faster than anywhere else on earth: the Arctic. What's up with climate change in the Arctic? What does it mean for northern people, plants and animals? Where else in the world are similar changes happening? What can we do about it? Step right up and discover how climate change at the top of the world is everyone's business, no matter where you live. In conjunction with the website, there are three lessons related to climate change. Each has a downloadable presentation (PowerPoint) and additional information (http://www.nature.ca/sila/edu/edu_e.cfm). See the Site Map for list of all available pages (http://www.nature.ca/sila/mpcrt_e.cfm). Also available in French. A Canadian Museum of Nature Web site.
Carolina Coastal Science
environProduced by science educator Al Bodzin, this inquiry-based science activity uses the Web to explore science in coastal Carolina. Teachers and students can use this web site independently or as a class using a number of different teaching strategies. In "The Shell Island Dilemma," students take on roles to investigate and debate complex issues surrounding oceanfront structures threatened by coastal erosion. A guide for educators provides a variety of teaching suggestions. (added 5/1/98, reviewed 4/22/99)
Water What-ifs
environ
This water quality testing project encourages inquiry investigations of water quality in North Carolina and Delaware, but teachers outside these states will also find useful links, information, and lesson plans. Developed by Lisa L. Grable and April J. Cleveland for Science Junction. (added 7/24/98, reviewed 9/16/99)
Darwin Centre Live Archive
environThis link is to the archived presentations and events broadcast by the Darwin Centre. Darwin Centre Live provides free events where you can meet Museum curators and researchers to find out about their work, recent scientific discoveries and the Museum's vast collections. Participants can explore topics more closely, examine the specimens themselves or take part in live link-ups to places such as a research station in the jungles of Belize or areas of the Museum unexplored by visitors until now. The Archive is the repository for previously broadcast events. There are over 100 clips organized by subject. You will need Windows Media Player 9 or Quicktime to view them. The Darwin Centre is part of The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London.
Alphabetical Index of Health Topics ( National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
environThis listing consists of information on a variety of environmental health topics, including answers to some common environmental questions. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences conducts basic research on environmental health and environment-related diseases. (added 12/6/04, reviewed 12/6/04)
Science with OAR
environThe goal of this site is "to provide middle school science students and teachers with research and investigation experiences using on-line resources." Topics include El Nino, storms (tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, and forecasting), atmosphere, fisheries, Great Lakes, and oceans, and each topic walks students through an introduction, information gathering, data gathering and analysis, application, and enrichment. From the the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and the College of Education at the University of South Alabama. (added 5/14/99, reviewed 5/22/99)
Ocean.Com
environThis website was created by a multimedia company from California and features quality streaming video of ocean life. The Ask Us section touches on a lot of general ocean and water topics, such as which fish on a menu might be endangered by over-fishing. The travel and sports areas are not as well developed, and look to be a bit more commercial in nature. (added 3/18/02, reviewed 3/18/02)
Identifying Trees
environThis site allows one to ID trees by leaf, fruit, or name. It lets one go through a series of questions until the final answer is found. Very simple, very helpful. (Note: trees listed are from the Ohio area, however, they can also be found in other parts of the U.S.) (added 8/3/05, reviewed 8/3/05)
World in the Balance (PBS)
environWorld in the Balance, the companion Web site to NOVA's Earth Day special, features educational resources on population and the environment. Produced by TV station WGBH Boston, World in the Balance provides interactive population maps, classroom role plays, and activities including a population growth calculation, a global trends quiz, and a demographic matching game. The site also offers articles, expert interviews, and recommended links and books. Drawing from moving personal stories in India, Japan, Kenya, and China, World in the Balancegives visitors a deeper understanding of the massive baby boom in developing nations, the plunging birth rates in industrialized countries, and the impact these trends will have on the global environment.
FireWars
environThis Nova program looks at wildfires and how they work. There is a fire-growth computer model, used to simulate conditions such as wind speed and direction. A virtual laboratory lets you explore the basics of combustion, including how a fire ignites, what a flame is made of, and how burning molecules rearrange themselves. A teacher's guide is available. (added 7/8/02, reviewed 7/8/02)
Africa
environThis website was created to support the series of PBS shows on Africa. There is something for all levels of students. For younger children, go to Africa for Kids. Learn about the daily life of students in four African nations, play a virtual thumb piano, or figure outEhow the hero of a Swahili folktale can accomplish his mission. Teacher tools has four wonderful units on Africa. Photography teachers can use the Photoscope area to get students talking about the impact of photographs. For those who think they already know it all, take the Africa Challenge. (added 9/20/01, reviewed 2/23/02)
Peace Corps World Wide Schools
environThis wonderful addition to the Peace Corps site offers many resources for educators and students. Connect with a volunteer, find lesson plans relating to different countries, view video clips (requiring RealPlayer) of Peace Corps educational videos, and read folk tales recorded by Peace Corps volunteers. (added 4/13/01)
Planetpals Earthzone
environPlanetpals Earthzone is an interactive site featuring characters that help teach kids the importance of caring for our planet and everything in it. Filled with free and fun activities for kids; a valuable source of earth science and ecology information. (added 12/14/99, reviewed 3/2/01)
El Nino or El No-no
environCreated by teacher Keith Nuthall, this WebQuest has three parts: - Students obtain basic background information related to El Nino. - Students construct a mathematical model using both historical and real-time water temperature data from a buoy at the equator, and they then investigate the rainfall totals for San Diego during the same years. (1982-83,1995-96, present) The end result allows students to construct a model to determine if we are currently in an El Nino cycle. Students also obtain help from a national weather service expert that is working with the exact same buoy for his research. - Students write a speculation paper on the effects of El Nino on the rainfall in San Diego. After writing the paper, they submit the paper to a local community leader in charge of disaster preparedness for review. As do the best WebQuests, this one features interaction with information and community, concensus building within groups, no one correct answer, and stretching the limits of kids. Best of all, when students complete the project, they get to live out their speculation. (added 1/16/98, reviewed 5/10/03)
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
environFor close to seventy years, the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland has had a diverse set of ongoing research projects dealing with wildlife and natural resources in and around the region. Their homepage offers a great deal of material on these projects, along with some very fine information for the general public. The "Spotlight" section is a good place to start as it contains a frog call quiz and video clips of Atlantic sea ducks in their natural habitat. The "Science Features" area contains an area where visitors can ask resident biologists pressing questions and a "Did You Know?" section that provides answers to such questions as "Why are whooping cranes endangered?"
