This lesson uses paper models to help students understand karst processes, why caves develop in limestone, and how karst topography develops. Introductory materials explain how ground- or surface waters can dissolve limestone, some features of karst landscapes (sinkholes, disappearing streams), and some features of caves (stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone). A teacher's guide provides patterns and ... 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.

This guide provides a brief introduction to the hydrologic cycle and related concepts. Users can choose from a set of links to pages which explain the distribution of water among the oceans, land, and atmosphere, and the mechanisms by which water is moved between its various sinks and sources. Full description.

This description of a ground-water aquifer has a graphic representation to accompany it. It is part of the U.S. Geologic Survey's Water Science for Schools website. Links to other parts of the site, such as definitions and types of wells, are included. Full description.

This Starting Point webpage is a summary of a role-playing resource called Science in the Courtroom: The Woburn Toxic Trial. In this exercise, hydrology students role-play expert witnesses in a mock trial dealing with contamination of groundwater. Students prepare for the role-play by studying the movement of groundwater and the transport of contaminants through computational and map exercises and ... Full description.

The Nancy Creek Challenge is part of the Starting Point module. The Case study requires students to examine fish kill in Nancy Creek and identify the environmental conditions that favor life in a fresh water ecosystem. Students will work in small groups to assess the situation. The group will be allowed to gather resources from various places in an effort to develop a possible solution for the situation. ... Full description.

In this Starting Point case study, students will explore wetland hydrology and biology. They will decide whether or not to restore a wetland or retain dams and drainage systems. Students will also examine the complexity of decisions regarding wetland restoration as well as investigate viewpoints of various stakeholders in the draining of wetlands. While the activity is set in Missouri, the case can ... Full description.

In this case study activity, students will examine the complex issues that result from human use of ecologically sensitive areas. The students will investigate these issues from the point of view of their major/career path. This example page is part of the Starting Point collection and was adapted from the Lifelines Online case study. Users can access information about the exercise's learning goals, ... Full description.

This USGS site explains what an aquifer is and defines the different types of aquifers based on six principal lithologies; sandstone, carbonate, sandstone-carbonate, igneous and metamorphic, sand and gravel, and other rock types. The site features maps and descriptions of the major aquifers in the United States as well as general information about groundwater occurrence and quality. The site also ... Full description.

In this curricular unit, students learn how water becomes contaminated with specific water-borne diseases, read personal accounts of unsafe water, and work together to brainstorm solutions to the water problems of communities in Africa. The website includes complete lesson plans, a list of materials, assessment tools, and links to on-line components of the exercise. Activities within this module include ... Full description.