Updated: April 8, 2002

Amazon Interactive - Grades 6-12 - This is a multi-part interactive site about the Amazon River ecosystem. Student answer questions and make choices about their exploration as they move around the site. The presentation could be the basis for a number of lesson ideas, or it could serve as a research and report-building source. In any case, there's plenty of content here.

Antarctic Explorations - Grades 6-12 - Follow a team of scientists visiting Antarctica from December, 2001 to January, 2002. If you miss the live events, there are lots of reports filed on activities conducted during the visit. This site also has background sections on the Antarctic climate, the history of exploration, and the scientific tools and tasks involved in Antarctic science. From the Exploratorium.

Amazon River Dolphins - Grades 6-12 - Here's a chance to participate in a real-time expedition to the Amazon to learn more about the dolphins who live there and how they survive. The project will be ongoing during August, 1999, and there will be information and updates both before and after. Students and teachers alike can take part.

American Indians and the Natural World - Grades 4-12 - This site from Pittsburgh's Carnegie Library offers perspectives on the natural universe from four different Native American Tribes. Each section describes how tribal customs, culture, and worship were tied to the characteristics of the environments in which the tribe lived. The site is well researched and beautifully presented.

AmphibiaWeb - Grades 9-12 - The University of California at Berkeley offers this unusually complete catalog of thousands of amphibian species from around the world. Users can perform keyword searches, then select from the results to see descriptions, photos, endangered species warnings, habitat information, and other facts about each species selected. It's a powerful research tool that makes comparisons among species especially easy.

Animal Sounds Quiz - Grades 4-8 - There's not a lot of presentation to these pages, but each contains a selection of bird or animal sound files. The quiz asks students to name each animal sound, and it's not as easy as it sounds! The sound files do not require any special browser plug-ins Turn on your speakers and give this one a listen.

Antarctica - Topics & Lessons - Grades 5-8 - This NASA site provides resources and lessons describing the Antarctic climate and showing how the creatures there have adapted to this harsh environment. Sections range from an animation of how satellites track ice drift to a practical demonstration of how blubber provides insulation.

Arctic National Wildlife Reserve - Grades 6-12 - Much in the news as a possible site for oil drilling, this official site about the ANWR provides brief summaries of the habitats and ecosystem of this unique arctic environment. Useful as an example of efforts to preserve fragile ecosystems, and also as a supplement to the study of arctic biomes. From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Assateague Seashore - Grades 4-12 - This site provides a wide range of information on the ecosystems found on Assateague Island and the Atlantic coast. Though you'll need to sift out the tourist information, there are descriptions of numerous plants and animals, as well as information on how the weather and environmental factors shape the island ecosystem. Useful and visually appealing.

Athena Oceans Curriculum - Grades 4-8 includes great Internet-based activities focusing on investigating Ocean Currents, Whales, and El Nino. Includes Instructions for the projects as well as data collection sheets. Great resource!

Audubon's E-Nature Resources - Grades 3-12 - The Audubon Society has created an elegant, responsive, information-packed site for students and adults interested in learning about habitats, species, and the environment. Don't miss this important new resource. Key starting points include:

Field Guides - On-line versions of the Audubon guides for birds, mammals, amphibians, and many more. Complete with photos, descriptions, and more.

Classroom Species Lists - A special section which lets teachers create a "classroom species list" so that students can add their own bird or animal sightings to the class list from any computer with web access.

Habitat Guides - Illustrated guides to a series of major habitats: arctic, desert, wetlands, eastern forests, shorelines, and more.

Biomes of the World - Grades 4-8 - TeachersFirst's own Biomes unit provides an introduction to the major biomes, an on-line research project, classroom discussion ideas for teachers, and student handouts. This is an easy-to-use resource for an entire class, or for students interested in independent work in this area.

Biomes Defined - Grades 9-12 - Written for a high school or college-level audience, this module presents basic content on the distribution and nature of the world's major biomes. It considers the structure, characteristic growth forms, and taxonomic affiliations of the vegetation; major soil order(s); and common adaptive characteristics of the fauna of the tundra, boreal forest, temperate broadleaf deciduous forest, tropical broadleaf evergreen forest, tropical savanna, temperate grasslands, desert scrub, and Mediterranean shrub biomes. Study hints and critical thinking questions follow the content units.

Bear Information and Resources - Grades 3-8 - The title says it all. There are pictures and descriptions of most types of bears, their habits, ranges, and habitats. Simple navigation and design and attractive photos keep the site interesting. Great research site for younger students

BirdCast - Grades 6-12 - This is a brand new "radar ornithology" project to track bird migrations. From April 1 through May 31, BirdCast will provide a morning and evening, unfiltered NEXRAD snapshot of the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan and adjacent areas. These images will be accompanied by interpretation and migration predictions provided by the Clemson Lab. Every two hours during the same period of time, Geomarine will post weather-filtered images at the site so that users will actually be able to observe the birds as they move over time.

Breeding Bird Survey - Grades 9-12 - This is a superb resource for students interested in studying the migratory patterns of birds. It presents several decades worth of data on migration and sightings of dozens of different species in North American. While the navigation is sometimes tricky, the site contains a wealth of possibilities for studying the relationships between ecosystems, climate, and other factors on the behavior of birds.

Build a Prairie - Grades 6-12 - This interactive site lets students learn about prairie grasses and soils while building their own prairie environment. There's great content on soils and plant types, as well as the history of the great American prairies.

Build a Watershed - Grades 6-12 - This interactive site lets students learn the intricacies of watersheds while building their own online watershed model. The design lets students work at novice or advanced levels, concentrating on different aspects of watershed environments.

Carolina Coastal Science - Grades 6-9 - What happens to coastlines as a result of natural forces? What happens when people develop those coastlines? Where is the balance? This site explores the natural and man-made forces which have an impact on the state of the Carolina coast, and asks students to help determine how this resource can best be preserved. There are discussion starters and some simple lesson ideas. From North Carolina State University.

Cetacea - Grades 6-12 - You'll probably find more than you ever wanted to know about whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans at this extensive site. The articles are extensive, and the visuals, while not extensive, are perfectly sufficient to get the job done. This site would be great for teacher research as well as student assignments.

The Chesapeake Bay Program - Grades 4-12 - This is an extensive site that documents the watershed, habitats, creatures, and human inhabitants that have an impact on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. There are detailed resources on each of these areas, and more than enough material to use either within the curriculum or as grist for student research at many levels. A little exploration should yield numerous instructional possibilities.

Congo Trek - Grades 4-8 - National Geographic works their predicable visual wizardry in this site which chronicles an ongoing expedition along the Congo river. The site blends images and sounds - (Turn your speakers on!) - to give vivid impressions of this jungle ecosystem. There are also brief lesson suggestions for all grade levels. This site could be a wonderful supplement to a study of Africa, jungles, rain forest habitats, or related areas.

Current Volcanic Activity - Grades 9-12 - This site from the US Geologic survey provides highly detailed current information on volcanic activity throughout the world. While some of the information is suitable for students or non-professionals, there is also a good deal of highly technical content. A good site for those with a real interest in observing how scientists predict and record volcanic activity.

The Dino Directory - Grades 4-12 - This site from the British Museum of Natural History is a rich resource for images of dinosaurs. Users can select by body type, country, geologic time period, and other indices. Apart from the images, which are watermarked, there is only basic information on the size and environment of each creature. While not intended for elementary students, the navigation is simple enough for these students to use effectively in finding images.

Dinosaur Lovers! - Chicago's Field Museum unveiled Sue, the most complete tyrannosaur ever assembled, on May 17. The fossil even has its own web site, offering background information and pictures showing how the dinosaur and how "she" was prepared for display. This is a great on-line exhibit for the dinosaur devotees in your classroom.

Dive and Discover - Grades 6-12 - Created by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, this site offers a collection of web resources built around various diving expeditions, some of which are ongoing and "browsable" in real time. Engaging graphics, thorough background, and readable text make these sites a top-notch resource for study of undersea life and the science involved in its study.

Earth Today - Grades 6-12 - The Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum developed this site to gather a number of real-time imagery resources into a cohesive look and the earth's atmosphere and oceans. While teachers may need to provide the context for this content, the site does offer a number of real-time data sources all within a couple of mouse-clicks of one another.

Earthguide - Grades 9-12 - Though apparently going through some revisions, this site's research content on oceanographic and atmospheric research could offer secondary teachers some interesting tools. There are also a number of sections on teaching techniques for these topics. From Scripps research institute.

Earthshots - Grades 9-12 - Want to know how your neighborhood has changed over the past 20 years? This USGS site compares satellite imagery from places all over the world to show the impact that growth and population changes are having on the earth's environment. It's tough to find this sort of comparison, and the visual impact of these photos makes the site particularly useful.

Earth and Moon Viewer - Grades 5-12 - Includes various images and maps of the moon and Earth. Also included are views from satellites as well as an interactive Perigee and Apogee calculator. Images could be used in research reports.

TeachersFirst Earth Day Resources - Grades K-12 - This page is a collection of resources dealing with our relationship with the earth and its resources. While it is particularly appropriate for Earth Day, the resources listed - some of which also appear on this page, are appropriate for any study of the relationship between humans and the environment.

Earthquakes and Volcanoes - Grades 4-8 - This site from the U.S. Geological Survey includes two resources for grades 4-8. Volcanoes is an explanation of how volcanoes develop and function. The Earthquake section of the site is a study of faults and different fault types based on a model of the earth's surface. Easy-to-understand descriptions, good illustrations, and additional information for teachers make this site easy to use in the classroom.

Earthwatch - Grades 4-12 select "Global Classroom" for a summary of planned and ongoing scientific field trip explorations. Some explorations include classroom resources. Topics pertain to oceans, ecology, and endangered species.

Ecological Regions of North America - Grades 4-12 - This is a beautifully produced site from an international ecological consortium. It provides detailed descriptions of the major North American ecological regions, along with photos of representative ecological features. A good overview and comparison of the differences among ecological regions in North America.

Edwards Aquifer Information Page - Grades 6-12. This site contains information, simulations, and video clips on the "science" behind the Edwards Aquifer. This aquifer is designated by the EPA as a "sole source" drinking water supply for the Austin-San Antonio corridor in Texas. Provides a good example of local research project that could be completed by students.

Endangered Species - Grades 6-12 - This site from New York's  American Museum of Natural History provides information on several dozen endangered species, their habitats, and efforts to preserve these species and increase their numbers. Each species is really a case study, with significant detail on the plight of that species. Good site for a student interested in some serious research on one or more species.

Endangered Species - Grades 4- 12 - Here's a site that highlights a number of endangered species from around the world. The commercial aspects of the site - urging support for the organization's efforts - can be annoying, but they don't get in the way of the content. There is information on species from a variety of ecosystems.

Endangered Animals of the World - Grades 6-12 - This is a Dutch site which offers information on a number of endangered animals. There's lots of detail, but the navigation may be awkward for some younger students. Worth a visit, though.

Endangered Birds - Grades 6-12 - This site from the National Audubon Society offers a "watch list" for hundreds of endangered bird species. While intended primarily for serious bird-watchers, the site contains the sort of sighting and location information that can help students understand how scientists determine whether a species population is endangered.

Environmental Education Resources - Grades 7-12 - Environmental Science, Governments - Whether you are seeking detailed information on environmental laws and issues, seeking materials to augment an environmental science class, or assisting a student interested in environmental career resources, this site will connect you with a variety of timely and appropriate links. Tips on grant-writing for environmental education projects, basic information regarding current environmental issues and an extensive glossary of related vocabulary are included.

EPA Curriculum Materials - Grades 2-12 - This is a surprisingly detailed collection of lesson ideas, information, and resources related to environmental issues and their inclusion in the classroom. Materials are sorted into a number of different subject areas, and include links to other sites for more extensive information on specific topics.

Everglades Field Trip - Grades 6-12 - This site from Duke University offers a well-designed natural history and tour of Florida's everglades ecosystems as part of its overall study of wetlands. Special sections explain the role of wetlands and their relationship to the rest of Florida's natural resources.

Explore a Pond - Grades 4-8 - This unit from the Utah Education Network collection offers a neat set of activities built around the ecosystems of small ponds. There is a collection of lesson ideas for several grade levels attached. For those without a pond nearby, there's even a virtual pond simulation that lets users select the way they want to populate their pond and then see how well the ecosystem functions.

FEMA Backgrounder: Earthquakes - Grades 4-8 offers information relating to earthquake safety. Suggestions geared to people living in earthquake-prone areas.

Finding a Jurassic Tree - Grades 6-12 - A teenager uncovers the fossil of a Jurassic tree and has paleontologists excited about a rare find. ABC News shows how "real world" discovery takes place and the role of scientists in evaluating those discoveries.

Fire Ants! - Grades 6-12 - This site from Texas A&M University provides information on the characteristics and life cycle of fire ants, and describes how and why they are moving northward. The site also shows how to prevent the ants from becoming a problem in areas inhabited by humans, livestock, and pets. The site could be a wonderful research resource for a biology or ecology report.

The Fossil Family - Grades 4-8 - This site from Shell of Great Britain teaches the basics of oil exploration using a Shockwave-enhanced game. The animations are entertaining, and the video-game generation will probably figure it out faster than you do. The payoff is that the instructional components are thorough, well-illustrated, and well-sequenced. It makes for a nice balance, but note that students may need 15 to 30 minutes to work through the entire site.

The Horseshoe Crab - Grades 6-12 - There aren't a lot of crabs with their own web site, but the humble horseshoe gets an elegant treatment in this site, which explains the crab's record as a survivor from very, very long ago. You'll also learn about the horseshoe's habitat, why it is becoming threatened, and how it's helping scientists. Good site for a research report.

Learning from the Fossil Record - Teachers - Grades 9-12 - From U.C. Berkeley comes this site to help teachers understand and use the fossil record as an accurate indicator of the evolution and distribution of species. The site includes articles by several faculty citing teaching strategies and their scientific underpinnings. There are also various collections of resources intended for use by students, lesson ideas, and related materials. This is a rich resource; plan to spend some time on your visit.

Gardening for Kids - Grades 3-8 - This site offers ideas, plans, explanations, and other resources which students can use to try their hand at creating a garden of any size. It could be a useful resource for lesson plans involving seeds, planting, growing plants, or other similar activities. There are some commercial overtones, but there's also a lot of useful content.

Geography4Kids - Grades 4-8 - This physical geography site, a part of the Kapili Collection, presents a well-written, nicely illustrated introduction to physical landforms, biomes, climates, and dozens of other elements of physical geography. Written as a "tour" of the topic, the presentation invites browsing while delivering plenty of content in approachable form.This one's a winner.

Geologic Ages - Grades 9-12 - This site provides a detailed chart showing the various geologic ages and sub-periods, along with the duration of each period. The site also has an Excel spreadsheet version of the chart available for download. A useful resource for those who need to compare geologic ages and periods.

Geologic Time - Grades 6-12 - Enchanted Learning offers this detailed geologic time line, showing geologic period from the Permain on forward. Time segments link to description of the creatures that thrived during those periods. It's a great site for showing students how much life had evolved before the dinosaurs arrived.

GeologyLink - Grades 9-12 - This is a comprehensive resource for geology students and faculty, providing links to research data, lecture notes, teaching materials, and geology projects. Developed by the University of Washington with support from Worth Publishing. Lots of depth, but the site assumes a working knowledge of the field.

Global Warming- Early Warning Signs - Grades 6-12 - The environmental groups which combined to create this site have a point of view, but their evidence is also compelling. This presentation examines a variety of empirical evidence to support the presence of global warming. It also presents a well-organized collection of warning signs and "what if" scenarios. Great discussion starter or research site.

The Great Barrier Reef - Grades 6-12 - National Geographic's Flash-enhanced presentation on Australia's Great Barrier Reef offers layer on layer of great content about the reef ecosystem and the individual creatures that live there. Tired of the reef? Move on to the deep ocean and learn how its occupants interact with the reef environment. This one takes a few minutes to load, but it's well worth the wait.

Great Lakes Environments - Grades 6-12 - This EPA site draws primarily on the Great Lakes ecosystems to show examples of community involvement in preserving and maintaining these freshwater environments. There are resources on specific species, and on preserving the balance between man and nature.

Hooper Virtual Natural History Museum - Grades 6-12 contains student created information on paleontology and earth science; from geo-archaeology to volcanism. Click on " HVNHM Gallery" to take the museum tour and see the list of exhibits.

Hurricane Tracking Resources - Grades 4-12 - TeachersFirst has collected a group of resources for teachers interested in using hurricane tracking as an instructional unit for math, plotting, and weather studies. Includes a downloadable hurricane tracking chart.

Neptune's Web - An Oceanographic Voyage - Grades 4-8 - The U.S. Navy created this site to introduce oceanography and the study of the oceans. Divided into several segments, it presents a student-friendly introduction to the seas and what goes on there. Good site for curious students.

Kids Do Ecology - Grades 4-8 - This site from the University of California at Santa Barbara lets students explore selected ecology topics in several ways. There are sub-sites dealing with ecology principles, whales, and several other marine species. There's also a very nice section on Data, showing why data collection is important for scientists and illustrating different ways to present data visually. Both sections might be useful in introducing scientific method and experimental procedure.

NOAA National Climatic Data Center - Grades 6-12 provides resources for the study of the world's climates. Included are resources, images, and events related to weather. Use this site to teach about spreadsheets, probability, statistics, as well as weather phenomena.

NOAA's Arctic Theme Page - Grades 6-12 - Designed primarily as a vehicle for sharing scientific data, this site also includes images and information on the study of climatic changes in the arctic region. Is the polar ice cap melting? You can find out what the scientists say here.

NOAA "Significant Event" Images - Grades 6-12 - In plain English, this site contains imagery of major weather, fire, earthquake, and similar activities around the globe. The information is updated daily, but there is also an archive of images and information from past events. Looking for a satellite image of a hurricane? This is a great place to find it.

Malin's Antarctic Research - Grades 6-12 provides images gathered during fieldwork at McMurdo Bay in the Antarctic from December 1993 to January 1994. Images could be used as part of a student hypermedia project. Image descriptions are quite technical.

Marine Institute - Grades K-12 - This site from Newfoundland, Canada provides educational information, activities, and lesson plans about marine life, fisheries, and oceanography for students and teachers. Select "K-12 Marine Topics" to view the icon-driven topics, activities, and links.

Meteorology Guides from the University of Illinois - Grades 6-12 - This visually exciting site includes step by step presentations of more than a dozen meteorological concepts from water cycles to en Nino to hurricanes and blizzards. There are separate sections for hurricanes and severe storms, as well as a case studies section which highlights unusual weather events of the past decade. Many of the visuals use the Macromedia Shockwave player, which is available from the TeachersFirst Toolbox.

Minerals, Crystals and Gems: Stepping-Stones to Inquiry - Grades 3-8 - Very clear site and easy to follow intending to give students the basics of mineral science. Starts with an essay including clear pictures, a nice overview and history of gems. Three lessons -- A wonderful curriculum for teachers. Guidelines with everything: objective, materials, procedures, sample sheets and other subjects this lesson integrates. Also has an activities page in Spanish and English. Resource guide with other links, books, teaching guides and kits.

Mineral Identification - Grades 6-12 - Lots of small type, but this page offers a straightforward, detailed guide to identifying the minerals in that rock in your pocket. There are classification tables, hardness tables, and much more. Great for beginning rockhounds.

Migration Routes - Grades 4-8 - The National Wildlife Foundation created this site, which provides maps, explanation, and background information on the migration of several species of birds, whales, and sea turtles. It offers a simple, well-grounded introduction to why species migrate and the differences in migratory habits.

The Museum of Paleontology - Grades 6-12 includes an online exhibit as well as educational resources. The online exhibition topics include: Phylogeny, Geological Time, and Evolutionary Thought. The exhibits are rich with information on the history of life on Earth. Have students make their own on-line guides to the virtual museum.

The National Marine Fisheries Service - for grades 9-12 focuses on providing government information on the conservation and management of living marine resources. Use the mini-topics on the menu to locate the desired information. Also includes a search engine.

Cool Earth Science Sites - Grades 4-8 contains many links on various topics related to the Earth Sciences. Categories include Oceanography, Astronomy, Meteorology, And Paleontology.

Environmental Education Resources - Grades 9-12 is a database of curricula, handbooks, monographs, case studies, reports, and periodicals related to environmental education.

Ocean Color Viewed from Space - for Grades 4-8 is part of the Athena Curriculum Web site. Offers students an opportunity to record observations about the importance and meaning of the changes in ocean color. The journal activities provide a great opportunity for students to integrate language arts and science.

Ocean Link: Marine Science Information and Interaction - Grades 6-12 - Ocean Link is a Marine Science web site. It gives information on Marine Science careers and gives very detailed news from the ocean. It would be a great resource for Biology students, as it subdivides marine life by pictures and groupings. You can question a Marine Scientist, find lesson plans and resource packages, or find links to other sites. From Ocean Link of British Columbia, Canada.

Ocean Oasis - Grades 6-12 - This companion web site to an IMAX film about Baja California and the Gulf of California offers a surprisingly extensive collection of student lessons and activities, as well as many illustrations and explanations about the ecosystems of these two regions. Useful in any study of ecosystems, particularly if you're in the southwestern US.

The Owl Pages - Grades 4- 12 - This Australian site offers pictures and detailed information about the owls found on several different continents. The interface is simple enough for younger students, and the detailed information could be helpful for older students completing biology or earth science assignments. Lots of information, well organized.

The Sea Otter Site - Grades 4-12 - The kids' area of this sea otter site offers otter images, sounds, and surprisingly detailed instructional handouts for elementary, middle, and high school students. There's also an extensive teacher's guide. Otters are among the few mammals that use tools, and there lots of images showing how they do it. Great site for animal study research.

OtterNet - Grades 4-8 - The title refers to computer network, not the other kind... This British site offers otter-oriented instructional games, as well as information on various species of otters found around the world. Better suited to younger students.

Paleontology Resources - Grades 9-12 - Sooner or later, any serious study of geology leads toward paleontology. This site offers a comprehensive set of resources for the study of the fossil record, links to specific museum exhibits, and examples of paleontology found in sites around the world. If you're working with a group of fossil hounds, this is the site for you.

ParkSearch - Grades 4-12 - While not explicitly designed for education, L.L. Bean's guide to American national parks and forests provides pictures and descriptions of some of our best-preserved natural areas. Students can search by location and find information on natural features as well as recreation and facilities. Well-designed, with plenty of instructional opportunities for the creative teacher.

Planetary Image Catalog - Grades 6-12 - NASA offers an easy-to-use collection of images of the planets, their moons, and other comets, asteroids, and similar objects that pass by from time to time. Many of the images are indexed by the mission which obtained them, but the thumbnails will help you find what you're looking for. Great image resource for a solar system unit.

Polar Science Station - Grades 6-12 - This site is home base for a polar expedition to search for evidence of long-term pollutants in Antarctica. As the expedition proceeds, students will be able to track progress of various experiments. The site also includes a good deal of background information on the types of pollutants for which scientists are searching.

Salmon - Spirit of Land and Sea - Grades 6-12 - This site from OneWorldJourneys offers stunning photographs and engaging narrative that tell the story of salmon migrations in the Pacific northwest. The site is part of a family that use a "follow the expedition" format to introduce users to the subject matter. Great use of the web for teaching about migrations, ecology, instincts, etc.

The Secret Forest - Grades 5-8 - This site has several nice question and answer pages with scientists and others studying birds, forests, climates and the like. This link to "old stuff" also leads to a number of stories and articles about ecology and forests. We couldn't make the games or dictionary work, but the rest of the site is well worth a visit.

Snowflake Crystals - Grades 8-12 - The folks at Cal Tech have created a site that documents the crystal properties of snowflakes in significant detail. This site would interest a serious student interested in the physics and properties of crystal structures. It's also a nice example of the depth of scientific study that can take place on a subject many would see as commonplace.

Society for Underwater Exploration - Grades 4-12 - This site is a spin-off from the Discovery Channel's various underwater exploration programs. It provides an interactive, visual record of several underwater expeditions which have involved scientific and archaeological research. Students should be able to use the content at several different levels. Visually very rich, the site can be slow if you're using a dial-up connection.

Ocean Planet: Interdisciplinary Marine Science Activities - Grades 6-12 - This site is actually an online booklet. A very clear and useful tool that reviews recent ocean research and encourages ocean conservation. Has six sections which cross disciplines. Can be used in Biology, Math, Geography and Social Studies classrooms. All of the six sections follow the same format. Users can download activities in Adobe Acrobat Format.

The Ocean Information Center (OCEANIC) - Grades 9-12 - from the University of Delaware. This site has as its goal to better understand the large-scale circulation of the world ocean, and in particular its impact on climate. The site includes current data from research ships, as well as other oceanographic information sources. Very detailed and research-oriented.

Oceanography at UEA - Grades 9-12 (AP) This British site includes data on current oceanographic modeling projects through the School of Mathematics and the School of Environmental Sciences. Sophisticated research data.

Oceanography Web Resources - Grades 4-8 contains a list of links on topics related to the study of oceanography. Both data sets and lesson plans are included.

Schoolyard Habitats - Grades 4-12 - This site is the companion to the National Wildlife Fund's project to help schools construct wildlife-friendly habitats on school grounds. There are lots of tips on how to inventory a site ad determine what kinds of habitat might succeed. There are also lots of ways for schools to share their experiences. If you're interested in a class project, here's a great place to start.

South Pole Adventure Page - Grades 4-8 - This site has a selection of features based on life and scientific activity at the South Pole. You can check the current South Pole weather, get summaries of recent activities, and learn about the kinds of scientific study that take place in this hostile environment.

Squid Search - Grades 8-12 - Follow a team sponsored by the Smithsonian as they search the deepest ocean off New Zealand for signs of giant squid. Pay particular attention to the daily log section, which provides details on how the search was conducted, as well as the results.

SuperStorm '93 - Storm of the Century - Grades 6-12 - The weather wonks in your class will love this presentation from the University of Illinois about the blizzard that engulfed most of the northeastern US in March, 1993. The site shows how three storms converged to cause one mega-blizzard. Lots of excellent visuals combined with very understandable text.

Terrarum - A Guide to Physical Geography - Grades 6-12 - This site offers a well-written guide to physical geography: climate, earth, land, sky, water, and energy. There is a discussion with references for each topic, and the narrative, while loaded with "real science" is simple enough to keep students engaged. Excellent resource for independent study or enrichment.

Threatened Species - Grades 6-12 - The World Wildlife Fund's pages on endangered species provide both a web-based synopsis and more extensive printed materials dealing with each of the species listed. The content may be challenging for some students, but there's plenty of detail in these descriptions.

Tide Prediction Information - Grades 6-12 - Looking for a data-laden resource for a science project? This site offers tide tables for hundreds of locations around the world. It would be a great resource for an investigation of tide cycles, why tides are higher in some locations than others, or any project that requires comparing data from lots of locations.

TopoZone - Grades 4-12 - If you're working on maps, map skills, or the mapping of natural features, TopoZone has it all. This site offers electronic topographic maps for most locations in the US. Users simply enter a location and can retrieve a topographic map for that area. The system allows users to zoom in and out and pan to other locations. All maps have full topographic markings showing terrain features. Great map resource!

Virtual Cave - Grades 4-12 - This site offers a beautiful, extensive underground tour of the features found in caves and the geologic processes that create those features. Users can select features by name, tour from point to point, or select locations from a huge site map. There are also links to other cave resources and photos, as well as lists of North American cave sites. Useful site as part of a class presentation, or for independent study.

The Virtual Geosciences Professor - Grades 8-12. Select "Geophysics on the Internet" for guidance on using this site. Links listing geophysical data sites and suggestions for use in teaching are included.

A Virtual Tour of the Dinosaurs - Grades 9-12 - This site from the National Museum of Natural History offers a paleontologist's view of dinosaurs, with most content devoted to fossil remains in the museum collections. This is a scientific exhibit which shows students the factual basis on which many popularized interpretations of "dinosaur lifestyles" have been based.

Water Science for Schools - Grades 4-12 - The EPA created this collection of resources dealing with water cycles, water purification, and water availability. It includes web resources, sample experiments, and explanations of water quality issues. Teachers will likely want to sort through the material before suggesting it to their students.

A Water Study Unit - Grades 6-12 - Created by a municipal water company in Australia, this site covers interesting content on the water cycle, aquatic environments, pond life, and water conservation. The illustrations are useful, though there are some rough spots in the user interface over which students may stumble. The approach is different enough that this one's well worth a visit.

The Weather Gateway - Grades 4-8 provides real-time weather forecasts for cities in the US Requires the use of a three-digit city code.

Weather World 2010 – Grades 6-12 - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - This site was formerly known as the Online Guide to Meteorology and has been updated to include the most advanced technology available. There are curriculum aids that provide teachers with a blueprint for integrating web-based educational resources into the classroom. This site focuses mostly on Remote Sensing, Reading and Interpreting Weather maps, Climate and Global Changes. The lesson plans have been tested and modified based on feedback from teachers and students.

Webquest on Environmental Issues - Grades 6-12 was created from information at an international symposium on the environment. The site includes links on many topics including Antarctica, Ozone depletion, and the Earth's Atmosphere. The site contains all of the ingredients needed as well as step-by-step instructions for students to create their own hypermedia report.

Wolves in Yellowstone - a Webquest - Grades 6-12 - This webquest asks students to use the Web to find information to support or refute the idea that the wolf should be reintroduced to the Yellowstone ecosystem. There is significant information on the site itself, and the quest helps students realize the number of different perspectives that must be considered in managing large ecosystems.

Earth Science Lesson Plans

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