The National Geographic Society's global energy debate lesson plan explores the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States. Students will research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implications. They will then assume the roles of pivotal stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee responsible for making decisions ... Full description.

In this case study activity, students will investigate caffeine as a potential new pollutant in a northwest river system. Effects of caffeine on invertebrates and salmon fry will be explored through field work and lab work. This example page is part of the Starting Point collection and was adapted from the Lifelines Online case study. Users will find information including learning goals, context for ... Full description.

This innovative course introduces undergraduate and graduate students in ocean science related majors to inquiry-based instructional strategies for communicating their passion for their subject area. These strategies, combined with college students' content knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing it, equip them to introduce ocean science to K-8 students and teachers in local schools. The site provides ... Full description.

This site contains slide shows and virtual field trips of Yellowstone National Park. There are several slide shows to chose from, including wolves of Yellowstone, bear research, fire ecology, the history of Yellowstone and the influence of art on Yellowstone Park. Each program features slides containing text and photographs. There is also an orientation slide show about the National Park system. More ... Full description.

The Ramsar Wetlands Data Gateway is a database containing information on protected international wetlands. In this activity, users search the database to find a wetland that they are interested in helping to protect. Using the database search capabilities, users select various wetland characteristics and generate a report on the sites that meet their search criteria. Then, they access an interactive ... Full description.

In this activity, students investigate the effects of automobile pollution on plant growth by making measurements on two populations of leaves, one from within 10 meters of a busy road and a population of the same species situated more than 20 meters away. They will choose a method for measuring the leaves, create a table for their data, and test their hypotheses by performing a t-test. Full description.

This lesson provides an overview of basic atomic structure and the concept of radioactive decay. Topics include the particles that make up an atom, binding forces, and the concept of isotopes. There is also discussion of decay methods and half-life versus activity. The lesson includes an activity in which students use online applets to investigate the half-life and activity of selected isotopes and ... Full description.

This project is designed to teach students about environmental quality and problems being faced in their own communities. It requires a nearby stream to do testing, so that students can visit the stream to measure discharge, organisms, etc. Students pool their data and develop a multi-media proposal for an intervention to improve the stream's water quality. This site provides links to relevant resources, ... Full description.

In this project, students work together to learn about water supply issues and possible solutions. Students spend about six weeks researching the topic of water supply, identify a problem relating to water supply, collect and analyze data, and present the best solution to the problem using multi-media software. This site contains all necessary worksheets and instructions, research links, and instructions ... Full description.

In this lesson, students explore how groundwater contamination can spread through aquifers by participating in a groundwater plume simulation. They will learn how to determine the source of groundwater contamination, explore the possible contamination of Nevada groundwater by a major nuclear test site, and write a persuasive essay from the point of view of a Nevada resident living close to a groundwater ... Full description.