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.
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.
The 100 Year Flood Is Not What You Think It Is
Almost everyone agrees that flooding is bad. Most years it's the number one natural disaster in the US by dollars of damage. So being able to characterize flood risks is a crucial job of civil engineers.
Engineering hydrology has equal parts statistics and understanding how society treats risks. We need to be prepared for the times when there's too much water, a flood. Rainfall and streamflow have tremendous variability and it's the engineer's job to characterize that so that we can make rational and intelligent decisions about how we develop the world around us.
- YouTube URL
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EACkiMRT0pc
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.
CIESIN
CIESIN, for advanced students, illustrates an integrated earth and population demographics approach.
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.
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.
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.
United States Drought Monitor
This map, maintained by National Drought Mitigation Center and updated weekly, tracks the current conditions in the United States.
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.
Related Topics ...
Other Areas To Check Out...
• Whole Books OnLine
• Hands-on Physics
• Assessment of Hands-On Elementary Science Projects
• Photography Resources
• Weather
• Virtual Schools Sampler
