Educational Resources on the Web |
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There are numerous water quality (and other) educational materials available through the web, ranging from elementary to post-secondary levels, provided by government, non-profit organizations, and corporations. We have located and organized a sample of the available resources alphabetically by the type of organization. To find out how to locate more information that fits your specific needs, see our web searching tips and tutorial. Federal Government WebsitesOther OrganizationsEverglades National Park: Resources for TeachersBreaks down the complex Everglades ecosystem into several topics for further exploration: geology, everglades water story (history), marine life, exotic species, and more Glacier National Park Electronic FieldtripSeveral different “fieldtrips” and lesson plans on ecosystems, botany, biology, glaciers and weathering, aquatics, and wildlife Learning Landscapes: Resources for TeachersLinks to teaching resources, classroom activities, a list of activities connected to learning standards, and more Red Rock Adventures—A Teacher's Guide to Canyon Country Outdoor EducationMore than 100 science activities for Grades 1-6. Topics include the water cycle, air and weather, rocks, seasonal changes in plants and animals, habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity, geological features and geographical concepts, and microorganisms of the desert and wetlands. The guide includes 18 one-day field trips. While these field trips are best suited to the high desert of southeastern Utah, many can be adapted for other sites. (National Park Service) Water Share (Bureau of Reclamation—Pacific Region)
Environmental Protection Agency EPA High School Environmental CenterThe EPA portal to environmental issues (air, water, waste, conservation, etc.)—contains information about EPA’s enforcement of environmental laws, career and internship opportunities, EPA publications, and more. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Teaching CenterLesson plans for grades K-12 on environmental issues including global warming, water pollution, and superfund cleanups. Links to online resources for background information. Free educational materials from storybooks to activity kits. Suggestions for community service projects. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: TermsGlossary of terms related to the environment. EPA Water Curriculum ResourcesLinks to a variety of EPA and non-EPA water-related educational materials, including drinking water, waste water, wildlife, hazardous waste, and other topics. National Aeronautic and Space Administration Exploring the EnvironmentProblem-based modules for high school students, where the student is presented with a real-life scenario, given background information and data (such as satellite images, graphs, or diagrams), and develops recommendations/predictions. Topics include water quality, El Nino, coral reefs, global climate change, and more. National Institutes of Health Tox TownLearn about the various sources of toxic exposures in your environment through this interactive website. Peace Corps—Water in AfricaA series of lesson plans organized by title, subject, or grade that integrate two or more curricular areas and support national standards; topics include water use and supply, water and climate, waterborne illnesses, and several others. USGS Water Resources Posters(grades K-5, 6-8) USGS Learning WebSeveral downloadable teaching packets (based on national education standards) in the areas of life science, geography, and earth science. USGS Water Science for SchoolsWater basics, earth’s water, surface water, ground water, water use, picture & map galleries, questions and answers, and more USGS Water Resources of the United StatesAdvanced level: data, maps, state-specific information, etc. Other OrganizationsCenter for Innovation in Engineering & Science Education (CIESE)Classroom projects for grades K-12, including projects that use real time data and the internet to share information with students around the world. Topics include air pollution, water quality, weather, and more. Classroom EarthTop 10 lists of (and links to) environmental education lesson plans in several categories: Discovery SchoolLesson plans, including evaluation guidelines, for grades K-12 in many subject areas. Tools to help teachers create their own crossword puzzles, quizzes, worksheets, and more. Educational REALMS (Resources for Engaging Active Learners in Mathematics and Science)Links to hundreds of science and math lesson plans for grades K-12. Annotated bibliographies for teachers searching for background information on the subjects. Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN)Database of water quality data from around the country, high school-level lesson plans on the theme of watersheds, and instructions on how to implement a water monitoring program in your school. Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network20+ water-related lessons for elementary to high school on topics such as dams and irrigation. Other subject areas include weather and climate, geology, and more. Includes educational links for each subject. Project WET(Water Education for Teachers)Information on “Make a Splash,” the WET national day of water education, including how to host a Make a Splash event in your community. Has a few lesson plans, mostly for upper elementary and middle school ages. Project WILDA conservation and environmental education program for educators of grades K-12. Includes a sample activity and information on how teachers can participate in Project WILD workshops in order to better integrate the concepts and activities of Project WILD into their teaching. Reading List for Water Conservation and Water ScienceAnnotated list complied by the Phoenix Public Library; books are listed by elementary, middle, or high school/adult level. River of WordsFree annual poetry and art contest for grades K-12 on the subject of watersheds. Science Museum of Minnesota: The Gulf of Mexico Dead ZoneAn interactive website that provides graphical explanations of the dead zone, its causes and effects The Teacher’s CornerWater Web Resources, Lesson Plans, and Books Teachers’ Guide: Chemistry lesson plans2 lesson plans on water issues, and many more lesson plans on other topics Water Environment Federation: Resources for TeachersSeveral activity/lesson plans on water quality topics ranging from wetlands to wastewater treatment. Plans include background information, terminology, setup and instructions for grades K-12; a few of the activities are available in Spanish. Glossary of water/environment related terms. Water Resources in LouisianaSeparate lessons tailored to K-2, 3-4, 5-8, 9-12; some of the lessons plans could be adapted to other locations |
