The purpose of this activity is to measure ozone concentrations at ground level. Students deploy a strip of paper that changes color in the presence of ozone. They use an ozone reader to determine the amount of ozone in ppb as indicated by the color change of the paper strip. Intended outcomes are that students will learn to measure the concentrations of ground-level ozone in the atmosphere and to ... Full description.

The site offers an interactive discussion of different vantage points associated with dam building. It describes some of the engineering and environmental issues that go into the process of selecting a site for building a dam and the conditions necessary for electrical generation. Links to classroom and family activities are organized by grade level. Full description.

This article is a Why Files report on the increase in "natural" disasters from floods, probably the most destructive type of natural disaster. The article notes that in constant dollars, the cost in 1998 alone exceeded the economic toll of the entire decade of the 1980s. Evidence is cited that inundations reflect human action rather than simply rainfall amounts. The report covers: furious floods (including ... Full description.

This is a Why Files article on rapid snow slides, or avalanches. Topics covered include: hazards, causes, forecasting, safety, and snowflakes. Three researchers and an avalanche center specialist were interviewed for this article. Full description.

This Why Files article considers beach erosion. Topics covered are: the nature and extent of beach losses, the role of beaches in protecting coasts, some measures -good and bad- to prevent coastal erosion, predicted effects of global warming and sea-level changes on beaches and the impact of melting ice sheets on global ocean volume. Some glaciologists using new calculations, think that instead of ... Full description.

This article is a Why Files short piece that examines the movement of Antarctic ice sheets into the ocean. Both East and West Antarctic ice sheets are rapidly moving into the Southern Ocean, which could raise sea level by 70 meters causing massive problems for populated coastal areas around the world. This article looks at the evidence for these events, and what it could mean for coastal regions. Full description.

This activity allows students to investigate the physical characteristics of an impact crater, using mud flung at a surface. Full description.

Students learn about the formation of craters and their structure, exploring the effects of mass, velocity and size on the resulting crater. The parts of a crater are also identified. Full description.

Looking at past weather patterns, weather cycles, and what causes these patterns and cycles can help students understand more about the type of weather events we are experiencing. This lesson plan involves students in class discussion and research, and has them create an interactive project/presentation that can be used to teach classmates about a weather topic. They will first take a quiz to see ... Full description.

The Web-based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE) is an on-line science learning environment for students in grades 4-12, supported by the National Science Foundation. In WISE, students examine real-world evidence, then analyze and respond to contemporary scientific controversies through designing, debating, and critiquing solutions on-line. Students use the web to take notes, discuss theories, and ... Full description.