The Plymouth State College (PSC) Meteorology Program has developed this server to provide explanations of and access to detailed pictures of some basic cloud forms. The cloud images are relatively large (640x480) in order to show detailed structure and features. All of these pictures were taken in the local area around Plymouth, New Hampshire and most from the weather observation deck on the roof ... Full description.

This site describes the three forms of volcanoes, which are cinder cones, the shield type and the composite or stratovolcano. The six major types of eruptions (Icelandic, Hawaiian, Strombolian Vulcanian, Pelean, and Plinian) are discussed. The site has diagrams and photographs to illustrate both the forms of the volcanoes and the types of eruptions and the relationship between them. The site also ... Full description.

In this activity, students will construct a set of sieves (four sizes) and use them to sort a soil sample. The activity will demonstrate that accuracy does not always have to involve expensive, high technology equipment. The sieves can be kept for use in later activities. A materials list and illustrated instructions are provided. Materials used to construct the sieves must be purchased. Full description.

In this activity students will become familiar with oceanography terms by writing an oceanography horror story. Terms include sea floor features, marine organisms, oceanographic sampling, and creative writing. Students can use their imaginations to good advantage in this activity, but they must get the facts right! For example, they can change one characteristic of an organism, such as increasing ... Full description.

In this two-part activity students examine the teeth of living mammals to try to determine the animal's feeding habits and then apply skills learned to the interpretation of the diet of extinct animals. During this activity students will recognize that teeth display a variety of shapes, and that tooth shapes are correlated with specific ways of obtaining and processing food. They will be able to recognize ... Full description.

This activity suggests that art is a fun way to encourage children to see the world around them and increase their visual awareness. Students observe natural objects like shells, rocks, minerals, and plants and notice that they have subtle and striking detail, regularity of pattern, texture, and shape. By exploring natural design, students will be encouraged to observe the natural world more closely ... Full description.

This tutorial explores animal adaptations by investigating the examples of animals commonly found in the natural environments of British Columbia. The discussion covers various ways in which plants and animals develop special features (adaptations) that allow them to survive in their environments, such as flight, echolocation, thermreceptors, thick fur, antlers, and others. A quiz and glossary are ... Full description.

This tutorial explores the adaptation of plants in their local environments by investigating examples of species native to British Columbia. Examples include adaptations such as large size (Sequoia trees), long life (bristlecone pines), fast growth (aspens), and thick bark (Ponderosa pines). There is an explanation of how plants absorb carbon dioxide give off oxygen, and draw nutrients and water from ... Full description.

In the three-dimensional ocean, some creatures live on the sea floor, but many live and move about in the water column. Having a body form that is hard to see or detect helps many ocean dwellers avoid being eaten by hungry predators. However, many predators have evolved some of the same adaptations which help them approach their prey without being seen. During this activity students will learn that ... Full description.

During this activity students will learn that the tiny animals and plants of the ocean's plankton are the basis of ocean food chains and that planktonic plants are called phytoplankton while planktonic animals are known as zooplankton. They will also discover that these plants, like plants on land, use chlorophyll to capture the energy of the sun to make food and release oxygen in the process known ... Full description.