Eighth graders define what an ecosystem is, what its make up is and how pollution effects it.  In this air pollution activity students identify the cause and effects of pollution on an ecosystem and trace a food chain. 

Life's a beach! The 16th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program first examines different types of coasts and how they form. An activity then has learners investigate the shoreline...

Learners discuss the types of technology that are used to control the population of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. They explain the parasite/host relationship and understand the devastating impact invasive species have on ecosystems....

Students study the species that live on islands in Lake Erie of the coast of Michigan. They examine the influence of human activites on the change in these biomes as they complete lessons on the islands biogeography.

Young scholars identify the major watersheds of Pennsylvania. In this forestry lesson, students learn what a watershed is and are assigned one of the major watersheds of Pennsylvania. Groups then need to determine the boundaries of...

Ninth graders study and identify the six major drainage systems in Pennsylvania.  For this watershed lesson students read an article, complete an activity and take a quiz on what they learned. 

The Great Lakes include, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. These lakes form the largest fresh water system on earth and they are North America's greatest natural resource. Learn about the different lakes, how they formed,...

The EPA profiles the Great Lakes ecosystem, their ecological protection and restoration, wetlands, shorelands, pollution prevention, and so on. Click "Visualizing the Great Lakes" for pictures of the lake environment.

This 2001 exhibit focused on the EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office's work to ensure the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes in the areas of chemical contamination and habitat loss.

Visit this resource to briefly explore the geography and history, meet the wildlife, and understand the threats to the Great Lakes basin.