This site has been created by the University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs as part of the Narragansett Bay Commission's Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) project. The site serves as a portal to find large quantities of information about the Narragansett Bay Estuarian Region. The Teacher Resource Section contains suggested classroom activities, ... Full description.

It is a miracle that life can survive in the extreme conditions of the desert. Users can learn about mammals (including wolves), insects and spiders, fish and birds(including hawks), and reptiles and amphibians (including rattlesnakes) that have adapted and, in fact, thrive in the harsh desert ecosystems. Links to related topics such as animal survival in the desert and animal rescues are included. ... Full description.

This slide show explores the threats to the Chinook salmon population in the Stillaguamish River watershed of Snohomish County, Washington. Topics include the status of the present population, factors contributing to the decline of the population, habitat needs for healthy salmon, and steps that are necessary for the recovery of the population. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to understand that physical factors - temperature and precipitation - limit the growth of vegetative ecosystems. Students observe and record seasonal changes in their local study site. They establish that these phenomena follow annual cycles and conclude the activity by creating displays that illustrate the repeating pattern associated with the appearance and disappearance ... Full description.

Students will use NASA satellite data to study temperature and snow-ice coverage in the South Beaufort Sea, Alaska. The data can be used to correlate with USGS ground tracking of polar bears, and to relate this to global change, sea ice changes, and polar bear migration. The data can be used to draw conclusions surrounding any migration patterns in the region. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to help students articulate and integrate their existing knowledge about the air, water, soil, and living things by viewing them as interacting parts of a system. Students visit a study site, where they observe and recall their existing knowledge of air, water, soil, and living things to make a list of interconnections among the four Earth system components. They make ... Full description.

Ocean Planet's six lesson plans are adapted from several themes in the Smithsonian Institution exhibition created to share with the public what recent research has revealed about the oceans and to encourage ocean conservation. "Sea Secrets" explores ocean geography; "Sea Connections" looks at the plants and animals that live in different marine ecosystems. "Ocean Market" identifies and values many ... Full description.

This site is based at Reading Memorial High School in Reading, MA. It features general information defining and describing vernal pools as a habitat type, including an illustrated cartoon series. Resources for educators and students include suggestions for classroom and field trip activities, examples of school projects, field guides, and teacher resources such as workshops. While this site contains ... Full description.

Three macroinvertebrate lessons focus on (a) macroinvertebrate surveys, and how a pH change and the introduction of pesticides and fertilizers can affect an aquatic ecosystem, (b) pH and macroinvertebrate populations (do changes in the pH level effect an aquatic ecosystem?), and (c) pesticides and macroinvertebrates (does the introduction of pesticides and fertilizers alter an aquatic ecosystem?. ... Full description.

This document describes the functions and values of wetlands, and includes keywords and illustrations. Wetlands have received wastewater discharges from many different situations in the past, but only recently have they been recognized as potentially cost-efficient treatment systems. They can effectively remove or convert large quantities of pollutants from point sources (municipal and industrial ... Full description.