This collection of databases is intended to aid in the assessment of the process of water conflict prevention and resolution. The searchable collections include data such as case studies, freshwater treaties from 1820 to 2001, events concerning historical water relations from 1948 to 1999, a register of international river basins, and information on interstate water compacts in the United States. ... Full description.

Virtual Earthquake is an interactive web-based program designed to introduce the concepts of how an earthquake epicenter is located and how the Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined. Virtual Earthquake shows the recordings of an earthquake's seismic waves detected by instruments far away from the earthquake. The instrument recording the seismic waves is called a seismograph and the recording ... Full description.

Tropical Twisters explains how hurricanes are created, why they move, and the damage they can do. There is information on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale to rate intensity and destructive power; the wind, storm surge and flood damage due to hurricanes; how scientists use the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission to understand hurricane rainfall; and the Geostationary and Operational Environmental ... Full description.

This site allows teachers to use data from ocean drifting buoys to integrate ocean science into their classroom science and math instruction. It offers educational activities and curriculum materials developed and tested by teachers. Lesson plans on currents, moving water, building and tracking drifters are also available. Alternatively, educators may opt to use only the data, background information ... Full description.

This site is designed to engage students in grades 7-12 in activities that focus on collaboration and communication strategies. These activities will strengthen student understanding of and ability to use collaborative processes and communication practices to clarify, conceptualize, and make decisions. Students will compare the risks of varying courses of action that confront scientists and engineers. ... Full description.

This activity allows students to explore the roles of oil and water in the Middle East, especially in Iraq. Students will use maps to look at the distribution of oil in the Middle East and discuss what it means for the different countries in the region. They will also examine how water has influenced the region historically and politically. Finally, they will study specific aspects of Iraq's struggles ... Full description.

This six-day unit has students investigate the challenges of living and working in Antarctica and how researchers prepare for them, and then evaluate the insulating properties of a variety of fabrics, collecting their findings in a portfolio. The comprehensive curriculum materials at this site include an online activity in which students review the preparation materials given to researchers before ... Full description.

In this article, The Why Files examines the effects of living in space on humans. From bone-mass loss, to poor air quality and isolation, many argue that living in space for long periods of time has numerous ill effects on the human body. This article looks at the negative effects space can have on the physical and mental state of humans, as well as discusses the healthy aspects of space travel. Full description.

This resource for both teachers and students interested in the ozone layer contains general information and digitized images of the antarctic ozone hole. The referenced printed materials include: phone and e-mail contacts for those who wish to pursue the issue of ozone depletion further, a quick and reliable Frequently-asked-Questions on Ozone, and an undergraduate textbook entitled, Atmospheric Change: ... Full description.

In this activity, students develop and demonstrate their ability to use textual information and data to persuade a reading audience of the benefits of using microcalorimeter detectors to do X-ray astronomy. They will summarize in their own words various reading selections, and use results from previous exercises in their persuasion writing. This final assignment will serve as closure. Students have ... Full description.