The NOAA Ocean Exploration program strives to engage broad audiences to enhance America's environmental literacy through the excitement of ocean discovery. Increasing this literacy requires high-quality, effective collaborations between ocean explorers and America's teachers. NOAA is forming such collaborations to reach out in new ways to the public to improve the literacy of learners with respect ... Full description.

This site explores the plant and animal communities that exist within an estuary. Specifically, it examines the planktonic, pelagic, benthic and intertidal communities, and focuses on organisms that are characteristic of the community, how scientists investigate these organisms, and why such organisms are important to the biological community of estuaries. Additionally, the site provides specific ... Full description.

This feature is from an article in National Geographic Magazine about a 2000 expedition into Canada's Foxe Basin to research the Atlantic Walrus. It includes field notes, photos, and audio/video clips. Full description.

This lesson plan will help students to understand that the way a community disposes of its wastewater may negatively affect local aquatic habitats, that it is possible to find wastewater-disposal methods that do not pollute, and that both governments and citizens can take action to ensure that waste water will be disposed of in a way that is not destructive. As part of the lesson, students will discuss ... Full description.

These curriculum materials are from The Water Sourcebook series, a popular set of hands-on water environment activities. The activities, arranged by grade level, range from construction of a big book about water in the life of a fish for younger students to the exploration of the physics of artesian flow for older learners. Topics include the water cycle, conservation, consumption, contamination, ... Full description.

This national watershed education program is designed to involve young people in local environmental service projects. Visitors can download easy to follow Action Guides that show how to organize and carry out effective action-oriented water projects for youth groups or classes by learning about local watershed issues, investigating what needs to be done, enlisting the help of experts, and planning ... Full description.

This learning unit is designed to present a means to examine what factors influence the quality of water in the Chesapeake Bay: population increase, algal blooms, endangered species (shad, oysters and blue crabs), and different watersheds (such as the Susquehanna River Basin) draining into the Chesapeake Bay bringing nutrients and pollution. Students work in groups to take on the role of scientists, ... Full description.

The Foundation is committed to providing balanced information regarding the use of water as a renewable energy resource in the Northwest. All segments of the public have become increasingly concerned with the costs and benefits of operating hydroelectric facilities. Environmental impacts, operational issues, economic needs, preservation of benefits such as flood control and recreation, and an increasingly ... Full description.

This module on measuring nitrates and their effects on water quality is from a larger series on water quality investigations. It provides background information on nitrates and how it affects water quality. It also contains both a pre-test and post-test, a laboratory investigation, and a self-study game. The purpose of the site is to help students understand the sources of nitrates and the role that ... Full description.

This is a web-based activity using satellite images of the Gulf of Maine and the Carribean Sea. Students are asked to examine satellite data of sea surface temperatures. From this data they are to determine the temperature scale and how temperature differences are indicated. They also examine phytoplankton density images to determine where high phytoplankton densities are. Additional activities are ... Full description.