This site is a joint effort of NOAA Research and the College of Education at the University of South Alabama. The goal of the site is to provide middle school science students and teachers with research and investigation experiences using on-line resources. In this unit students explore the causes of thunder and lightning, the damage lightning can cause, the types of lightning, and where strikes occur. ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on satellite technology and how it has changed the way information is transmitted. Students discuss this technology and then conduct interviews with people who recall what information technology was like before the advent of satellites. It includes objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on the naturally-occurring greenhouse effect on Earth, and its connection to global warming. Students build model greenhouses to see how this process works. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, suggested readings, and vocabulary. There are videos available ... Full description.

Scholastics "Challenging the Space Frontier" online activity gives students an opportunity to learn about the historical impact of space exploration. A time line of space firsts helps students learn about initial efforts to explore worlds beyond our own. They can also find out about three spaceflights that changed the public perception of our world and the world beyond: John Glenn's orbiting of Earth ... Full description.

This experiment teaches students about the effects of acid rain on rock, buildings, and sculptures. They will use chalk and vinegar solution to demonstrate the chemical reaction of acid on limestone and explain what happens in this process. They will also identify the compounds used in the reaction, the gas which is given off, and learn about the sources of acid rain. Full description.

This site is part of the space page of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and provides information about the Sun, the planets and their moons, and other bodies in the solar system. It contains a travel guide to the Solar System including such topics as what to see, reason to visit, how to get there, and local history. A similar travel guide is then available for the Sun, each of the planets, ... Full description.

This portal of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management contains important information and guidelines to follow before and after a hurricane. Sections are entitled What to Do, About Hurricanes, Additional Resources, Hurricane Archives, Frequently Asked Questions Regarding State of Emergencies, and Current Tropical Weather. The What to Do section includes information about what to do before, during ... Full description.

In this energy use simulation students are asked to click on the various household items to see what is draining energy and learn how to make their home more energy efficient. This simulation is not meant to be a definitive guide to energy consumption but rather a general look at how common sense can result in the saving of energy and money. Items such as electrical appliances, home heating systems ... Full description.

This site contains information about the San Francisco earthquake of 1989, which lasted only 15 seconds, but caused highways to collapse and buildings to crumble. About ninety people were killed, and more than six billion dollars of property was damaged. Photographs, shaking cartoons and easily accessible text explain the how and why of Earth's earthquakes. Topics include plate movement, types of ... Full description.

This site provides an interactive way to learn about the rocks and minerals found in everyday objects. Here, kids start with a clickable kitchen scene. For each item, students are taken to an information screen that explains a rock or mineral and how it has been used in the item. The list of over twenty items includes pots, pans, plates, flatware, acid, matches, and even the kitchen sink. Full description.