This article describes a new method of studying climate change. A previously unnoticed cooling trend that persisted for a millennium caused enough ice to build up in Antarctica's Ross Sea that thousands of Adelie penguins abandoned their colonies beginning about 2,000 years ago. The techniques may also help to refine our understanding of climatic change on the southernmost continent. This article ... Full description.

This resource features three sections devoted to learning about coral reefs: an online tutorial, an educational roadmap to resources, and formal lesson plans. The tutorial presents an overview of coral biology and threats to coral reefs. Topics include characteristics of corals, the relationship of corals and zooxanthellae, stony corals and reef formation, the importance of coral reefs, and natural ... Full description.

In this lesson, students will investigate the importance of coral reefs to the Earth as a whole and learn some possible explanations for the phenomenon known as "coral bleaching". They should be able to identify ways that coral reefs benefit human beings, identify major threats to reefs and discuss how they might be reduced or eliminated, describe the Coral Reef Early Warning System, and discuss why ... Full description.

This tutorial introduces students to the concept of animal ecology. The first section explains the different ways animals use camouflage. There is also a discussion of how the process of decay breaks organic matter down into nutrients, and how simple aquatic organisms (algae, zooplankton) provide a food source for larger organisms. The concept of food chains is introduced, and land-based and aquatic ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. Students research three types of symbiotic relationships between organisms in nature: mutualism, commensalisms, and parasitism. They report their research findings and hypothesize about how symbiotic relationships might have evolved. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ... Full description.

In this Internet-based collaborative project, students will investigate their local schoolyard environment and share information about the plants, animals and non-living objects found there with other students from around the country and the world. Participants will look for similarities and differences in the reported data and prepare a final report or presentation based on their findings. The site ... Full description.

This activity will enable students to identify the gypsy moth and understand its life cycle and habitat needs. There is a link to information on the history and profile of the gypsy moth and a related quiz. Full description.

This activity will allow students to observe and interpret fossil footprint evidence. From the evidence, they are asked to construct defensible hypotheses or explanations for events that took place in the geological past. Students will be asked to propose explanations and make predictions based on evidence, recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions, understand that scientific ... Full description.

This tutorial introduces students to the concept of co-adaptation and presents examples of organisms developing behaviours or physical characteristics that help them work together. Examples include the re-use of old woodpecker nests by Boreal owls, the prolific breeding behaviour of voles (providing a food source for predators without threatening their own population), and the caching of whitebark ... Full description.

This two-month project requires a nearby stream or river to use for testing. Students use river monitoring equipment to conduct water tests, fish observation, insect identification and to collect data related to physical properties of the stream or river. They then design a project based on one of four goals, and present their results to the class. This site provides research links, rubrics, lessons, ... Full description.