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.

Part of the USGS Water Science for Schools site, this resource defines irrigation water use and includes several tables and maps showing water use by various irrigation systems, by state, by crop, and by percentage of fresh water available. Students and teachers can look at their state and see 1990 data for how much ground water and how much ground water and surface water is used for irrigation. Various ... Full description.

The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program is an important part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) strategy to understand global climate change. The ARM Program has established three outdoor research sites around the world. Scientists gather and use the data from these sites to study the effects of sunlight, radiant energy, and clouds on temperatures, weather, and climate. This site ... Full description.

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.

The Teacher Pages feature news and events, instructional materials, projects, reference materials, and classroom activities for instruction in language arts, math, science, and social studies in the context of environmental education. Kids in grades 4-8 can learn about a wide selection of environmental topics, such as wetlands, endangered species, water and air quality, conservation, and invasive ... Full description.

This live, interactive electronic field trip to a North Carolina estuary is conducted on two dates each year. Previous field trips are stored for non-interactive access. Teachers can access resources on such topics as estuarine and coastal monitoring, management, cultural traditions, invasive species, and habitat restoration. The lesson plans include grade level and standards applicable for technology, ... Full description.

These Congressional Research Service reports from the National Library for the Environment concern water quality and other water policy issues. The reports span the period from late 1993 to the present, summarize congressional amendents regarding water legislation, and provide information on how national agencies and states are implementing these changes. Full description.

This portal, published by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (IFAS) Extension, offers a selection of links to information about water management issues. There is a 'Beginner's Guide to Water Management', which provides a basic introduction to the terminology and concepts used in water management. Other links access information on management in coastal waters, the ... Full description.

This site provides high level descriptions of aquatic plant life and excellent photos of common aquatic plants. Phytoplankton, macrophytes, fungi and lichens are also featured. While the text would be difficult for elementary children, a teacher could use this site for reference, and the photos would be of great interest to students. Full description.

This lesson plan allows students to participate in a number of in-class experiments using ice. Students will come to understand the effects of global warming on icecaps and the worldwide consequences that may result. Full description.