Aquarius is a focused satellite mission to measure global sea surface salinity. Launching in 2009, this mission will provide the first global map of sea surface salinity with unprecedented accuracy, resolution and coverage. The importance of salinity measurements in understanding coastal ocean processes is critical. Because of its dynamic range in the coastal oceans, salinity is a critical factor ... Full description.

This CD contains material for a series of live interactive Internet events during the 1999-2000 field seasons of the National Geographic Society's Sustainable Seas Expeditions. The three curriculum units on this CD feature clips, Web chat Q and A, labs, activities, and related resources materials. The units have also been mapped to National Science Education Standards, California, Texas, and Florida ... Full description.

This CD-ROM engages students in a journey where they must navigate their own ship, operate modern research tools, and manipulate satellite and climate model data to investigate and help predict El Nino - one of our planet-s largest global climactic disruptions. Full description.

This curriculum packet contains three inquiry-based classroom activities that explore the potential impact of climate variability and change on Earth's most abundant resource: water. Although each activity is designed to tap specific skills and knowledge to yield scientific results, the broader intent is to stimulate thought about the long-term impacts of a warmer planet. Full description.

NASA's ocean color satellite instruments are more sensitive than the human eye, surveying our global oceans in a few hours. Discover more about the connections among marine ecology, phytoplankton, light's behavior at the ocean surface, and satellite observations. The back of the poster includes activities and Web references for more information. Full description.

This series of activities for elementary (K-5) classrooms demonstrates effects of rising levels of greenhouse climate. Specifically, it shows how: an increase of heat-trapping gases atmosphere raises temperatures; higher temperatures affect the water cycle; and rising sea levels could affect coastal a result of glacial and polar ice. Designed to teach through scientific inquiry, the activities seek ... Full description.

An ocean-science web site for students, teachers, faculty, and the general public. Visitors can learn about many important ocean processes, linked to teaching material and sources of real-time ocean data. The site also has complete college-level and graduate courses and textbook (which can be freely downloaded) in oceanography and physical oceanography. Full description.