Visitors can learn about the relatively new field of imaging spectroscopy, which allows specific absorption features, caused by chemical bonds in materials, to be mapped spatially. Topics include an introduction to the procedure, environmental applications, vegetation and biota mapping, lithologic, and mineral mapping. A set of links provides access to reports, accompanied by spectroscopic images, ... Full description.

This activity will allow the student to look at real-time satellite, radar, and derived imagery to study the growth and development of thunderstorms. Full description.

This alphabetical list of links explains a variety of scientific phenomena. Clicking on the name of a particular phenomenon will provide the user with a written definition or description and a list of links to exhibits (another part of the site) which illustrate it. Full description.

This article explains the life cycles of stars. Topics include the effect of a star's mass on its life cycle, and what happens when stars reach the end of their life spans. Links to a glossary are embedded in the text. Full description.

Teachers or students may access an extensive selection of hands-on activities involving a range of science topics such as chemistry, optics, sound, electricity, and flight. The activities include lists of easily available materials, instructions, and brief discussions of the concepts being demonstrated. Full description.

This is an introduction to the concept of seafloor spreading proposed by Harry Hess in the early 1960's. This site offers multiple links to further examine this geologic hypothesis. Full description.

The Galileo educator site offers educators and students interesting facts about NASA's Galileo mission to Jupiter and Europa, and many classroom activities. There are activities to interpret new images of new worlds, planets and satellites, navigating the solar system, planetary surfaces, a closer look of Europa, design a spacecraft to test for life on Europa, building a scale model of the Galileo ... Full description.

As part of this activity, students look in their own homes for foods that contain ingredients derived from seaweed . The activity points out that seaweeds are not really weeds but large forms of marine algae, and that seaweed derivatives are used in a large variety of foods and household products. Objectives, a list of materials, instructions, and a take-home worksheet are included. Full description.

This secondary-level educational program in Earth Sciences includes an extensive selection of student learning materials, teacher resources, and assessment tools for a hands-on, inquiry-driven instructional program. Module topics include Earth's geosphere (volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics), understanding your environment (landscape evolution, river systems, land use), Earth's fluid spheres ... Full description.