This lesson is intended to make students aware of the need to respect their environment and its natural resources. They will apply that knowledge in developing an "ecologically sound" city. Using an outline, they will design a city that has ecological laws, power source(s) for lights and heat, a river, two industries, and homes for its population. Full description.

In this lesson, students will learn that there are limits to what the eye can see and that a magnifying glass can help extend those limits. Students may have been exposed to optical technology such as glasses, magnifying lenses, or even periscopes, microscopes, and telescopes. This lesson aims to channel the inventive energy of students to increase their awareness and purposeful use of tools. They ... Full description.

This lesson will help students gain experience in asking questions and conducting inquiry by exploring the separation of colors in water and other solvents; and to communicate and share findings of student investigations. The lesson uses a technique called paper chromatography, which is demonstrated using water, ink, and a coffee filter. Scientists use chromatography frequently to separate and identify ... Full description.

The purpose of this lesson is to examine the role of technology in identifying and tracking hurricanes. It is the second in a two-part series on the science of hurricanes and the kinds of technology being used to identify and track them. Students broaden their study by exploring how technology and science are used today to identify, measure, and track powerful tropical storms to better warn and secure ... Full description.

This animated site aimed at younger students tells the story of Toppy the Satellite, who acts as a tour guide on an informative TOPEX journey. Students will learn facts and information about the TOPEX satellite and the planet Earth. They will see how the satellite is able to measure the topography of the ocean surface and what scientists can learn from these measurements. Also available are links ... Full description.

This interactive feature provides younger students with basic information about Mars. Topics include the length of the Martian day, the size of the planet relative to Earth, and its gravity and atmosphere. There are also features on the search for life on Mars and what forms it might take, as well as a downloadable activity in which students conduct an 'interview' with the planet and provide the answers. ... Full description.

Students are introduced to general space science with information about astronauts, space probes, space travel, the Hubble Space Telescope, space suits, and the Columbia Shuttle accident. Biographies of important scientists and astronauts are included, and vocabulary crossword puzzles, maps, logic riddles, and coloring pages extend learning. Each page offers links to a glossary of important terms. ... Full description.

This activity will help students to recognize that there is a lot of water in the world, but that not very much of it can be used for our drinking water and other water supply needs. They will see that ground water is a very small percentage of the Earth's water, and understand how important it is that we take care of our ground water. Full description.

In this activity, students will recognize that body design affects balance by building models of dinosaur body types, using straws and marshmallows. There is background information, procedure, and a lab investigation with questions in this activity. Full description.

In this lesson, students explore different aspects of solar energy by building a solar hot box and testing various colors and materials to find the maximum temperature that can be reached. They will review the basic needs for alternative energy sources, identify three materials and colors that will produce maximum heat, and solve a design problem for the hot box. Full description.