Users can access information about educational programs and materials for teachers and students, including tours, traveling exhibits and presentations by the staff of the Des Moines Water Works. "Water Trunks", which contain water-related literature, books, science experiments, videos, games, CD-ROMs, hands-on activities, picture cards, career information, and a teacher resource book, are available ... 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.

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 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 program is designed to allow students opportunities for classroom and field study, to gather real world scientific data and draw conclusions based on the data. There is also provision to enter data online and to retrieve and graph longitudinal trends. There are links to basic and advanced protocols, classroom activities, and k-12 curriculum ties. One link leads to an image index with photographs ... Full description.

The Stream Study provides a method to determine the water quality of a stream based on the collection and identification of stream-bottom macroinvertebrates. This is a multi-chapter activity designed for teachers, parents, and students. Specific sections of this site include the following: why it is important to study stream-bottom macroinvertebrates, identification of stream-bottom macroinvertebrates, ... Full description.

This is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) sponsored website that includes a variety of resources for educators and students. Oil spills are defined by scientists and further explained using photographs and questions previously submitted by students and teachers. Experiments for students and teachers are categorized by grade level and information on how to obtain instructional kits ... 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 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.

For ecologists, the horseshoe crab is an important creature- a vastly adaptable organism that predates most species on the planet, with a lifecyle that is interlocked with other animals. Users can view information, photographs, and diagrams that explain the anatomy, range and habitat, lifecycle, ecological niche, reproductive cycle, and medical uses of the horseshoe crab. Full description.