Materials presented here outline basic concepts related to groundwater, answering questions like "What is groundwater?" and "What is an aquifer?" More detailed topics include groundwater quality, sources of contamination, engineering problems presented by groundwater, and safeguards to the groundwater supply. A bibliography and links to other water-related sites are included. A French translation ... Full description.

These activities explain the management of ground water resources using a balanced approach, focusing on interdependencies in the environment. All activities can be performed using readily available materials. Fact sheets, reference materials, and a glossary of terms are provided. The activities cover such topics as groundwater basics, movement of water in aquifers, recharge and discharge, how a well ... Full description.

This site describes the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which stretches across six states including New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia and also the District of Columbia. Also included in the Bay watershed are several subwatersheds, smaller systems that drain into the streams and rivers that flow into the Chesapeake. More than 64,000 square miles of land drain into the ... Full description.

This resource has students construct a model watershed in order to understand its operation. Students will observe how water flows from higher elevations to lower elevations, and the interconnectivity of watersheds. They will understand how the placement of buildings, roads, and parking lots can be important to watershed runoff, and how careless use and disposal of harmful contaminants can have a ... Full description.

In this activity students will work in teams to investigate the impact of an invasive species on native species, using the six classic steps for solving environmental problems. Teams will research a local invasive species problem, complete an experimental design plan, write clear procedures for experimentation, state expected results and conclusions, and work together to determine the course of action ... Full description.

This activity has students observe how ozone can damage rubber bands and through a comparison, they will be able to determine the relative ozone levels for different locations. After completing this activity students will understand that tropospheric ozone is often called bad ozone because it breaks down certain materials, be able to explain that concentrations of ozone are not uniform, and demonstrate ... Full description.

This lesson is designed to help students use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data; develop descriptions, explanations, predictions and models using evidence; develop an understanding of the Earth as a system by understanding that global patterns of atmospheric movement influence climate, including local weather; and understand that internal and external processes ... Full description.

In this laboratory exercise, students will design and conduct an experiment to evaluate the effect of the presence of biodegradable materials on dissolved oxygen levels. They will come to understand the effect of biodegradable pollutants on water quality, design and conduct an experiment, interpret data, suggest additional studies, and preform serial dilutions. The students will discover that in aquatic ... Full description.

This lesson has students observe and quantify their household and vehicle energy consumption; explain the relationship between energy consumption, energy production, and its influences on the greenhouse effect and global climate change; and suggest adaptation and mitigation strategies as to how he or she could reduce household and vehicle energy consumption in order to minimize carbon dioxide emissions. ... Full description.

This lesson is designed to give students an enhanced understanding of the water cycle and rain as a resource, increase their measurement and data collection skills, and develop graphing and data interpretation skills. It expects that students will demonstrate the ability to measure and record rates of rainfall, evaporation, and infiltration and to graph and interpret data. The lesson provides detailed ... Full description.