Curated OER
Glaciers and Global Sea Rise
Learners explain how melting glaciers affect global warming. For this earth science lesson, students investigate the change in ice density as it melts. They discuss the human and environmental impact of rising sea levels.
Michigan Sea Grant
Water Quantity
It may be tricky for a young mind to conceptualize that less than 1% of all water on earth is useable for humans to drink. Simulating the amount of fresh water available on earth by removing measured amounts of water from a five-gallon...
Curated OER
Investigating Fresh Water Ecosystems
Sixth graders examine the fresh water ecosystems. In this environmental instructional activity, 6th graders work in groups to collect information about a fresh water ecosystem and report their findings to the class in the form of a...
Curated OER
Where's the Water? Stream Side Science
After a whole-class discussion of water reservoirs, ten liters of water are given to each lab group to represent Earth's total amount of water. They divide the water into smaller containers, each representing one of those reservoirs. The...
Curated OER
Glacial Climbing
Students plot the current distribution of glaciers around the Earth and see if there any major trends where glaciers appear to be either growing or shrinking at abnormally high rates.
Curated OER
Glacier Climbing
Learners discover where glaciers exist and how they move. In this glacier lesson, students work in groups to create a glacier in a replica valley and observe its properties.
Curated OER
How Much Water is There?
Students investigate the amount of fresh water on earth and which water can be used for consumption. In this fresh water lesson plan, students calculate the amount of fresh water that can be used for consumption on earth. They use a 5...
Curated OER
The Tip of the Iceberg
Learners discover the percentage of an iceberg that is above and below the water surface. They compare salt water icebergs and fresh water icebergs and if they behave the same of differently. They work with their lab group to perform...
Curated OER
Glacier Climbing
Students discuss glaciers and the current distribution of glaciers around the Earth. They create simulated glaciers using cornstarch, shoeboxes, water, and pebbles.
Curated OER
Groundwater Basics
Groundwater is an essential natural resource, not to mention a fascinating topic to study. Here is a series of twelve amazing lessons on the water source and how we use it in our daily lives. Concepts require higher math and physics...
Virginia Department of Education
The Hydrologic Cycle
There is the same amount of water on earth now as there was when it was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank! Young scientists build their own hydrologic cycle model and observe it for five...
Curated OER
Kids for Conservation Lesson 1
Third graders observe various demonstrations dealing with the water on our earth, such as a comparison of the amount of salt water and fresh water on earth, then participate in a role playing activity in which they become a molecule of...
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Water from the Well
How much water does it take to brush your teeth? How about to wash your clothes? Perform an experiment that measures water usage in everyday tasks and compares them to the days before indoor plumbing, specifically the California gold...
Curated OER
Sea Water Freeze
Middle schoolers observe how salinity affects the time it takes water to freeze. They participate in an experiment to determine that ice is essentially salt-free whether formed from fresh or salt water
Curated OER
Fastest Glacier
Students compare and contrast continental ice sheets and a glacier. They discuss how glaciers form. Students research the average winter and summer temperatures for their area. They predict what might happen to the Greenland...
National Park Service
Weather Patterns of the Pacific Ocean
How do oceans affect weather patterns? Learners define vocabulary associated with dew point, topographical lifting, condensation, and formation of clouds and precipitation as they explore the weather in the Pacific Northwest. They also...
Earth Day Network
Conserving Water Through Art!
Having fresh, clean drinking water is a privilege many people take for granted. Help raise awareness about the scarcity of water and the importance of conservation by discussing different ways water is used in everyday life. Brainstorm...
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere
Students estimate the amount of water that can be found in its various forms including oceans, lakes, glaciers, rivers, etc. They view a demonstration about water distribution and discuss flash flooding safety precautions.
Curated OER
Water Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink!
Middle schoolers describe limitations of fresh water resources on ships at sea. They realize the value of fresh water on the ocean and around the world. Students gain a knowledge of the process and economic cost of desalinization.
Curated OER
Where is Water Found?
Fourth graders examine the amount of water and its distribution on Earth. As a class, they brainstorm a list of where water can be found and classify the places according to salt water, fresh water or glaciers. They estimate how much...
Curated OER
Building A Solar Still
Learners investigate the water cycle by viewing an online video. In this drinking water lesson, students create solar stills at their campus in order to purify water that is tainted. Learners view a video on their computers about...
Global Oneness Project
Witnessing Icebergs
Camille Seaman's photoessay, "Witnessing Icebergs" documents just a tip of the problem of climate change through images of icebergs in both the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. After viewing the haunting images, viewers respond to a...
Curated OER
Great Lakes Food Web
Young scholars identify species and components of a Great Lakes food web. Using note cards, they place themselves in the correct order of the food chain based on the species present. They discuss what they believe happens to various...
Curated OER
Where in the World Is All the Water?
Middle schoolers investigate the distribution of the earth's water. They conduct a demonstration of water distribution, and create a pie graph to display the results.