Water and Air Systems

Drought

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln maintains this resource, with information on current conditions, drought risk areas, climate data by state or specific location (e.g., your school), and basic information.

Tides and Currents

Tidal forces, so powerful, can be studied easily at NOAA.

Wind Map

This real-time wind map started out as a personal art project. Click to zoom in on your region.

The Gulf Stream Explained

The Gulf Stream is part of a global conveyer belt -- a large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by differences in the density of the ocean water. It plays a key role in keeping the climate at balance and Europe warm. This video also explores how global warming might change this conveyer belt and why there is no consensus on how (or even if) it will affect us.

YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuGrBhK2c7U

Games for Water Conservation

Middle school students can increase their awareness and understanding of coastal, estuaries, tides and ocean issues.

Wind Energy Activities

Includes a wide range of simple projects including a wind powered vehicle, air movement, local air quality, a wind vane, and solar oven, along with games and quizzes.

Project WET

Their goal is a world in which action-oriented education enables every child to understand and value water, ensuring a sustainable future. Includes on-line resources, regional workshops, student sites & games, and more.

KidWind

KidWind looks at wind power and renewable energy science, and provides workshops, turbine kits, lesson plans, challenges, and grant information.

The Water Project

Since human beings need fresh water, potential conflicts lay ahead. Lesson plans for all grades are available.

Ocean Science Education Institute

The Ocean Science Education Institute deploys high quality curriculum and labs for middle school students by collaboration among universities, science centers, and teachers.

CIESIN

CIESIN, for advanced students, illustrates an integrated earth and population demographics approach.

image of http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/entri/index.jsp

Environmental Treaties at SEDAC at CIESIN

Recently, CIESIN was designated the home for environmental treaties around our globe(SEDAC). These treaties round out student research projects.

larger image of http://www.omsi.edu/exhibitions/ww/create/

image of http://www.omsi.edu/exhibitions/ww/create/

Oregon Museum of Science and Technology--Waterworks

The OMSI site (Oregon Musuem of Science and Technology) explains the way fountains work--another take on water systems. All instructions are supplied for students to construct their own fountain.

larger image of http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/community/k-12-resources

image of http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/community/k-12-resources

University of Delaware

The College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of Delaware offers K-12 teachers a variety of free or low-cost resources on the earth, oceans, and environmental science. Check with your nearby colleges and universities to see what resources they can provide.

larger image of http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

United States Drought Monitor

This map, maintained by National Drought Mitigation Center and updated weekly, tracks the current conditions in the United States.

larger image of http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/SH.html

image of http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/SH.html

Ozone Hole Watch

NASA has developed this education resource broken out by grade level to provide images, data, and information on the Ozone Hole in the Southern Hemisphere and the ozone status in the Northern Hemisphere.

The study of the environment involves systems and subsystems. It may not be possible in any one year to complete more than two or three projects in this domain. However, it is important to lay the foundation and gradually expand students' understanding of these systems.