Curated OER
Glaciers and Global Sea Rise
Students explain how melting glaciers affect global warming. In 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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
Investigating Fresh Water Ecosystems
Sixth graders examine the fresh water ecosystems. For this environmental lesson, 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 brochure.
Curated OER
Surface Water and Groundwater
Students examine distribution of water and minerals. In this surface and groundwater lesson, students conduct an experiment with fresh and salt water making hypothesis and drawing conclusions about minerals.
Curated OER
The Tip of the Iceberg
Students 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...
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...
Curated OER
Glacial Climbing
Young scholars 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
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
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...
Curated OER
How Much Water is There?
Students investigate the amount of fresh water on earth and which water can be used for consumption. For 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
Building A Solar Still
Students investigate the water cycle by viewing an online video. For this drinking water lesson, students create solar stills at their campus in order to purify water that is tainted. Students view a video on their computers...
Curated OER
Water Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink!
Students 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
Water Pollution Prevention and Conservation
Students examine how to conserve water. They also discover how to prevent water pollution. They examine the Earth's water distribution as well.
Curated OER
Great Lakes Food Web
Students 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 species...
Curated OER
"Wet" Your Appetite: Conserving Water
Students investigate how water is utilized in producing food. In this agriculture activity, students examine how much water goes into the creation of their daily menu. Students create a new menu that can conserve water and cut their...
Curated OER
Sea Water Freeze
Students 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
Where in the World Is All the Water?
Students investigate the distribution of the earth's water. They conduct a demonstration of water distribution, and create a pie graph to display the results.
Curated OER
Growth of a River
Students evaluate geography by drawing an image in class. In this river lesson, students identify a list of vocabulary terms associated with bodies of water. Students identify how a river is formed and draw a picture of one including the...