US Geological Survey
Usgs: The Usgs Water Science School
Use this site as a resource to learn about the many aspects of water.
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Explore Chemistry: Water and Chemistry
Explore water's unique properties in the activities here. Includes ideas for starting a chemistry club, ideas for Earth Day, articles, and videos.
US Geological Survey
Water Properties
This site provides a discussion of the physical properties of water. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Build a Motorboat Powered by Surface Tension
If you look carefully, you could find dozens of similar interesting phenomena that are all linked to the surface tension of water. Here is a project that will help you understand and measure the properties of water surface tension.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Can Water Float on Water?
Of course it can, you say: ice is water and ice floats. And you're right. But we're talking about water in the liquid phase Can liquid water float on water? The goal of this project is to investigate what happens to layers of water with...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Getting Critical Over Colloids
What is a colloid? If you have made Oobleck out of corn starch and water, then you know that a colloid is a mixture that acts like a solid and a liquid at the same time. This activity helps you determine the critical factors that...
US Geological Survey
Us Geological Survey: Water Properties: P H
This resource explains what pH is and how it relates to water. The resource includes a colored graphic of the pH levels and a map of pH levels around the USA.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Common Water Measurements
This site from the U.S. Geological Survey provides great definitions of seven measurements that can be taken on water. Includes pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Biology: Water, Acids, and Bases: Hydrogen Bonds in Water
Investigate why water properties make it unique and good at supporting life in this article. Learn about the life-sustaining properties of water that are caused by the hydrogen bonds that it forms.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Biology: Water, Acids, and Bases: Solvent Properties of Water
An article investigating why water makes a good solvent. Also, understand what molecules dissolve best in water.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Saturated Solutions: Measuring Solubility
Many essential chemical reactions and natural biochemical processes occur in liquid solutions, so understanding the chemical properties of liquid solutions is fundamentally important. This project will challenge you to discover how much...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Why Does Ice Float in Water?
Ever wonder why solid ice floats in liquid water? In this video lecture you will explore the special properties of water. Learn "the science behind how hydrogen bonds keep the ice in your glass (and the polar ice caps) afloat". At the...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Ecosystems: Water Cycle
Watch an animated video on the water cycle, become familiar with related vocabulary terms, and then quiz yourself on the parts of the water cycle, and review your answers when you're done. Site includes guidelines for a lesson entitled...
Science Struck
Science Struck: Density of Water
Explains what density is, how it is calculated, and how the density of water fluctuates depending on various conditions.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are You Gellin'?
Chances are, you have several materials around your house made of gelatinized materials. Gels are used in all kinds of products and materials: pudding, diapers, insoles, packaging, ice cream, toothpaste, and much more. In this project,...
Science is Fun
Fun Science: Lumpy Liquids and Squishy Solids
Investigate the properties of a strange substance which acts like a liquid and a solid. This simple experiment can be done with corn starch and water.
TOPS Learning Systems
Tops Learning Systems: Top Science: Conduction and Convection [Pdf]
Experiment investigating conduction and convection of heat in water.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Soil Moisture
This set of activities introduces students to the basic properties and measurements of soil water, and how the global distribution of soil moisture is monitored.
BBC
Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Materials: Changing States
Investigate the changing states of water as you help Steve stay alive while in the Arctic. Includes background information about changing states of matter and about the water cycle, as well as a quiz.
Science is Fun
Fun Science: Fireproof Balloon
Water has the ability to absorb lots of energy before it heats up. You can demonstrate this trait by trying to pop a balloon (containing water) with a flame.
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Best of Wonder Science: Air: It's Really There [Pdf]
An experiment to explore the properties of air, using a cup placed upsidedown in water.
Climate Literacy
Clean: What Happens to Ice in Water?
Students investigate the properties of water in the ice and liquid phase as it relates to convection in the ocean and density driven circulation, and ultimately the climate.
SRI International
Performance Assessment Links in Science: Rising Waters
A unique approach to determining size and weight of an object through water displacement: students are presented with a scenario along with a variety of balls made of different materials and pitchers of water. Working in small groups,...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Properties of Fresh Water and Sea Water
Students set up three demonstrations to observe the properties of water. They explore the boiling point of water, the freezing point of water, and the ability of water to store heat.