Ocean chemistry, particularly the carbon cycle, is featured in text and illustrations, with quantitative graphics and a lab demonstration. Graphics include the global carbon cycle from 1980-1989, annual carbon dioxide flux, ocean chlorophyll concentration east of Buenos Aires, and a cartoon showing upwelling of nutrients. Full description.

This site is all about snow crystals and snowflakes. The many facets of snow crystals are described here, along with attempts to understand their formation. This site includes collections of super-high-resolution snow crystal photos, as well as links to learn about snow crystal classifications and how to make snow crystal fossils. Included in the study of how snow crystals form, these researchers ... Full description.

This computer-based lesson provides information on ocean currents, circulation and atmospheric influences. Several sections cover "drift" studies, including the famous Nike Tennis Shoe study. Each segment provides relevant information and gives students questions to answer. Incorrect responses result in more information. This unit is part of an on-line course in general oceanography offered at San ... Full description.

The ILEC promotes sustainable management of the world's lakes and reservoirs. This site offers information and links to training programs, conferences and publications that address the health and status of lakes around the world. The World Lake Database provides an alphabetical listing of lakes around the world. Data is provided for various parameters from size and area to water quality. An on-line ... Full description.

Estuaries have physical traits, and scientists use a variety of measurements such as water depth, salinity, and current speed to describe an estuary. This site describes the various measurements that make up the physical properties of an estuary, using Narragansett Bay as an example. Specific sections of this site focus on water chemistry (temperature, salinity, oxygen, chlorophyll a, and pH), circulation ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to investigate the idea that every dynamic system has energy and matter in different forms. Full description.

This activity describes the technique of preparing "GIS-ready" data and shows how to map that data and conduct basic analyses using a geographic information system (GIS). First, you will download and format near real-time and historical earthquake data from the USGS. Using latitude and longitude fields, you will then plot these data in a GIS. Next, you will analyze patterns by querying records and ... Full description.

This lesson introduces the basics about how tornadoes are formed, and where and when they are most likely to occur. It includes a review of the current research on tornadoes and how scientists are trying to predict them. The equipment storm chasers use to study tornadoes is included. Students are asked to write a research plan for further study of tornadoes. Full description.

NeMO studies the dynamic interactions between submarine volcanic activity and seafloor hotsprings at an observatory called Axial Seamount. The research activities at NeMO provide an extraordinary educational opportunity, both from the daily reports from expeditions at sea and from creative learning materials based on NeMO results. The site features curriculum materials designed for high school and ... 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.