These activities explain the management of ground water resources using a balanced approach, focusing on interdependencies in the environment. All activities can be performed using readily available materials. Fact sheets, reference materials, and a glossary of terms are provided. The activities cover such topics as groundwater basics, movement of water in aquifers, recharge and discharge, how a well ... Full description.

This resource ties together physical and biological aspects of ocean color for high school students. Specific sections discuss life in the oceans, the appearance of the ocean from space, phytoplankton (the little link in a big food chain), carbon (where does it go?), and the Earth as a giant greenhouse. There are also activities that accompany these lessons. Full description.

As part of this lesson plan, students will be asked to read a news article and to construct and explain theories for the decline of the water level of the Great Lakes. They should be able to locate the Great Lakes on a map, compare them to lakes in other parts of the world, hypothesize what might happen in the short term if global temperatures continue to rise, and to consider these seemingly contradictory ... Full description.

In this lesson plan, students will learn about the potential threat posed by icebergs, particularly the enormous icebergs that have broken away from Antarctica's Ronne Ice Shelf. They will research a news article and various web sites (links are provided) to collect information about icebergs, discuss what icebergs are and where they are found, and brainstorm a list of potential problems that could ... Full description.

Temperature changes in surface water may affect the solubility of substances and affect ecosystems by increasing plant growth, which in turn, decreases the amount of dissolved oxygen available for animals. In this activity, students measure and compare the temperature of water in various zones of a river, stream, pond, or lake. A materials list, instructions, discussion questions, and a printable ... Full description.

This module offers students the opportunity to analyze and qualitatively compare the inorganic ion content and pH of different sources of local drinking water. The students collect, organize, graph, and analyze quantitative data showing the uses of groundwater in their state. They will read, summarize, and discuss news articles about the emerging impact of merchant power plants on groundwater resources. ... Full description.

These lessons help students develop a better understanding of the importance of well-managed water use while exploring the concepts of a watershed, land use, aquifers, and water engineering. The material focuses on the historical water use decision affecting the Owens River Valley in California. Materials lists, procedures, assessment recommendations, and extension ideas are provided. Links to additional ... Full description.

In this activity, students play the roles of investigators looking for the source of fuel that is contaminating wells in a fictional town. They will use a topographic map and information about groundwater flow and well locations to determine the source of the pollution. Questions help students understand how groundwater flows and how a contamination plume spreads over time. In an extension to the ... Full description.

Using paper patterns, students are able to construct a model that depicts Karst topography, including typical features such as caves, limestone bedrock, sink holes, and springs. The accompanying Teachers Guide provides extensive background information about the dissolutional processes that form caves. Information is also provided about unique animals found in caves and the importance of understanding ... Full description.

The GREEN program provides ideas and information related to creating a watershed-based educational project and is geared toward taking action to protect watersheds. There are exercises and action steps for various aspects of watershed management including monitoring, analysis, research, policy issues and background information. The site allows groups to enter their watershed monitoring or action project ... Full description.