This lesson plan introduces students to the water cycle by having them help draw a picture of a lake ecosystem and adding human impacts that affect water quality. Students will help fill in the components of a drawing of a water system. They will conclude by creating their own illustrations of human-induced changes to the freshwater habitat of a lake ecosystem. Full description.

This demonstration is designed to show the effect of acid on statues and buildings. Students will learn how acid rain is an air pollution problem as the teacher discusses the slow deterioration of statues and buildings due to the weak acid rain that falls on them. Students will learn that the sulfur and nitrogen compounds that contribute to acid rain primarily come from man-made sources, such as industries ... Full description.

This lesson plan will explore the hydrologic cycle and the journey water makes to our glass. Upon completing this lesson, students should know and understand the components of the hydrosphere of Earth, especially the surface and subsurface features, and should be able to prepare a diagram to illustrate the path of their drinking water from the place of precipitation to the tap. Full description.

In this activity, students will learn how to read a Celsius-scale thermometer, associate weather conditions and seasons with Celsius temperature ranges, and keep a record of temperature. Students will read the Celsius temperature each day and discuss how given temperatures "feel". They record the temperature by using a string of beads and a chart. Full description.

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water resources site provides comprehensive coverage of water related issues, and includes several interactive quizzes and activities for children. Here you will find information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center. Topics include: Earth's water, Water basics, Water use, Water Questions and Answers, Activity center, ... Full description.

The Gulf of Maine Aquarium hosts this two-part activity. The focus is on seasonal changes in the mass balance of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Part 1 uses an atlas and satellite imagery to examine the geography of the region and the changing boundaries of the ice sheet. Part 2 tracks annual changes in sea ice. There is an animation page showing changes in ice cover around Antarctica during 1991, and links ... Full description.

This series of activities demonstrates some effects of rising levels of greenhouse gases on climate. Specifically, it shows how an increase of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere raises temperatures; higher temperatures affect the water cycle, and rising sea levels could affect coastal areas as a result of glacial and polar ice melt. Although these activities are designed to teach specific skills ... Full description.

This site contains a series of six posters all relating to water education: wetlands, water use, waste water, navigation, ground water, and water quality. Each poster includes information about the topic as well as related classroom activities. The objective of the water-resources education program is to stimulate interest in and provide a basic knowledge of water resources for students in grades ... Full description.

This site is a special section of the Groundwater Foundation, dedicated to youth awareness and involvement with groundwater protection. There are tutorials, games, experiments, clubs, festivals, and "universities" designed expressly for students. Site pages: What is Groundwater, Kids Can Protect Groundwater Too, Easy Ways to Conserve H2O, Cool Groundwater Activity, The Awesome Aquifer Club, Meet G.W. ... Full description.

Simscience is a website devoted to areas of science where computer simulations are at the forefront of discovery. This interactive activity aids students in understanding structures (particularly dams), fracture mechanics, engineering, hydraulics and geotechnology. This site emphasizes analytical thinking, iterative design, multiple solutions and teamwork. Learning in this activity is mostly collaborative, ... Full description.