This program provides scientific research and assessment to evaluate the effects of atmospheric deposition on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. A clickable map depicts locations of acid rain monitoring stations by state. This site also contains reports presenting data on acid rain trends and monitoring efforts as well as research performed on acid rain accumulation values. Information is also available ... Full description.

The objectives of this lesson plan are twofold: to have students understand the benefits and problems associated with fire and to understand the role that fire plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Emphasis throughout the lesson plan is placed on manager-ignited prescribed burns and natural fires, and their relevance and importance to various types of fire-adapted ecosystems such as chaparral, ... Full description.

This networked laboratory simulation provides an environment in which students can select from hundreds of standard chemical reagants and combine them in any way they see fit. Instructors may use this environment in a variety of settings including student homework, group projects, computer lab activities and pre- and post-lab exercises to support varied approaches to chemical education. Activities ... Full description.

This virtual field trip to Stone Mountain Georgia includes both a narrative and photographs of such features as flow banding, tourmaline pods, and several types of xenoliths. Intrusive granite and diabase dikes are shown at both the east quarry and old route 78 locations where products of weathering such as saprolite, kaolinite, halloysite, and gibbsite reside. Photographs of an area of the east quarry ... Full description.

This activity gives students an opportunity to learn about the elements created in the cores of high-mass stars by fusion reactions. They will discover that all stars start by burning hydrogen and end up creating many heavier elements inside their cores, elements that will be released into space when it dies in a supernova explosion. Students associate a layer with an element that is being produced ... Full description.

At this site students will learn that in addition to making elements, supernovae scatter them. They learn that the elements that are made both inside the star as well as the ones created in the intense heat of the supernova explosion are spread out into the interstellar medium. These are the elements that make up stars, planets and everything on Earth including ourselves. Except for hydrogen and some ... Full description.

This lesson focuses on the possible release of methane from methane hydrates to the atmosphere and the potential impact of these releases on global warming, particularly how they might be involved with the Cambrian explosion and the Paleocene extinction events. Students will use online resources to research these events and to learn what methane hydrates are and how they might contribute to global ... Full description.

In this lesson, students will compare and analyze the difference in deep-sea sediments to find out why the sediment all over the seafloor not exactly the same. As they study these differences, students will learn to compare and contrast similar ocean sediment samples, use the computer as a learning tool, and identify different variables that affect deep-sea habitats and organisms. Full description.

This bioluminescence activity will help students to understand how animals produce and use light in the deep ocean. Students will describe, compare, and contrast bioluminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence. They will explain the role of three major components of bioluminescent systems and will explain how three organisms use bioluminescence. In addition, students will discuss ... Full description.

This Park Geology site provides links to tours of individual National Parks, Monuments, and Recreation Areas with caves and other karst features. Where appropriate, park sites contain park geology information, maps, photographs, geologic research, related links, visitor information, multimedia resources, and teacher features (resources for teaching geology with National Park examples). The list includes ... Full description.