Spring Into Science Part II:

"Earth" Science

Weekly website series by Leslie Cohen, Intern

Get to know H2O: water conservation, water chemistry, water sources, water cycle, water power, water cleanliness, water trivia and much more . . .

From the Schuykill River in Philadelphia to Lake Bhatsa in India . . . learn about water supply, usage, and cleanliness by visiting the Franklin Institute web page WATER IN THE CITY. Answer questions such as: What is the composition of water? What is the role of water in the environment? Where is water produced? How can I conserve water? What are the waterways near me? How can water be tested?

More EnviroSites:

Garbage? How Can My Community Reduce Waste? (The Annenberg Project/CPB Exhibits Collection) This site is NOT GARBAGE . . . although it is all about waste!! Learn how your community or school can help reduce waste! Find answers to your waste, sewage, and trash questions: How much trash is produced? What are the dangers of waste? What are some possible solutions to this environmental dilemma? Send your own ideas for recycling to be added to the site!

*Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN): This site is an excellent addendum to the Franklin Institute's WATER IN THE CITY site. In addition to providing information about various waterways, it links you to environmental directories, software, and catalog. K-12 teachers and students can use this site to monitor water quality and watersheds and examine sustainability issues.

*EnviroLink: EnviroLink is an environmental information service for the general public which also offers an environmental education clearinghouse and other services for educators. It provides a search engine to search and connect you to environmental sites on the Web and provides a link to OneWorld Magazine is a free electronic publication on the Internet. One World focuses on environmental, cultural, and exploration issues around the world. The magazine's philosophy is that not only biological, but cultural diversity is essential for the evolution of the planet; that is, if we are to live as one world, we must embrace, or at least understand, many.

Other Earthy Sites:

*Volcano World: Here is a great site for teachers and kids who want to learn about volcanoes! Volcano World provides K-12 curricular resources including lesson plans and activities, stories, games, and quizzes as well as a glossary and links to news and current events. This site also provides updates on volcanic activity, video clips and pictures, and access to practicing volcanologists.

*United States Geological Survey (USGS): Offering more than just maps, the USGS provides Earth science data, images and curricular resources for K-12 teachers and students.

*National Geophysical Data Center: The National Geophysical Data Center provides numerous comprehensive data sets and visualization software packages in the fields of geophysics, climatology, and glaciology.

*Passport to Knowledge: Passport to Knowledge is a collaboration of many different organizations, including educators, public television organizations, National Aerospace and Aeronautics Program (NASA) and National Science Foundation. Each Passport to Knowledge series focuses on scientific exploration of a remote region. Upcoming programs will highlight areas such as the Amazon Rainforest, the planet Mars, and the Australian Outback. So explore! Currently, you can visit Antarctica on their Live from Antarctica site! Check out all of the the pictures, the lessons, the newsletter, and communications!

"Out of this World" Sites":

*Remote Access Astronomy Project (RAAP): RAAP is a site which offers student access to equipment and software used by research scientists. By using the Internet, students can 'point' the "Remotely Operated Telescope" and take a picture. Next a digital image file is sent to the student via the Internet. RAAP also provides software, manuals, and sample images that you can access through their Web site."

NASA Homepage: This site connects you to cool links as well as aerospace exploration and science information. Further, there is a link to NASA Educational Resources which provides lessons, contacts, and connections to resources and other educational homepages. In addition, check out NASA Mar's Page for facts and cool images!

Earth Science Directories for Teachers:

Geographical Survey Commission's Great Earth Science Resources: Links to over three hundred earth science resources and web pages. Search for your topic of interest and find loads of useful information!

Earth Science Resources for Schools: Teachers can use this site to connect to computer resources and sites helpful for teaching earth science subject. Information is divided into the following categories: computer-aided learning; earthquakes; fossils; geological fieldwork; geological time; plate tectonics and structural geology; rocks and minerals; volcanoes; geoscience educational publications; earth science educational forums

*Web-links from Tales From the Electronic Frontier by Wested Eisenhower Regional Consortium

Visit the entire Spring into Science Website Series!

Part I, Strange Weather (El Niño!)
Part II, Earth Science
Part III, Virtual Field Trips
Part IV, The Facts of WildLife!
Part V, Just for Kidz!
Part VI: Connecting Standards and Lessons