Purpose

Today's workshop will focus on using the Internet in the study of environmental science. You will begin with hands-on exploration of a wide range of Internet-based resources including collaborative projects and real time data, preparing you to use the resources in your classrooms.

Consulting Experts in the Field

• Ask an Environment Expert -- University of Hawaii
• Ask a Hydrologist -- USGS Utah
• Ask a Water Expert -- USGS National Water Information Center
• Ask a Water Testing Expert -- Suburban Water Testing Labs, Inc.
• Ask an Energy Expert -- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
• Ask an Energy Efficiency Expert -- The Energy Outlet Resource Center
• Ask Mr. Solar -- Solar, wind and water power
• Ask a MAD Scientist -- many topics from which to choose

Examples of Collaborative Environmental Projects

• CIESE Global  Water Sampling  Project
• CIESE Down the Drain Project
• Estuary-Net Project
• The Rainforest Connection -- Montclair S.U. (runs every winter)
• Kansas Collaborative Research Network -- Environmental Projects
• TERC's Community Web Projects -- Energy, Ozone and Atmospheric, and Birding Projects
• Worldwide Biome Project
• GLOBE Project (Requires purchase of instruments and teacher training)

Classroom Environmental Projects that Use Real Time Data

• Oil Spills, Thrills and Chills -- Teacher-developed project in conjunction with Stevens (Grade 6 and up)
• Ozone; The Good, The Bad and The Ugly --Teacher developed - good chemistry application - (Grades 7 +)
• Journey North -- Track animal migration
• Biosphere 2 Center -- Get real time data on temp, humidity, light, CO₂ for desert or rainforest biomes.
• EPA SunWise School Project --Interpret daily UV data, weather conditions, etc. regarding daily sun protection practices
• Live from the Estuary
• Signals of Spring -- Track animal migration

• Environmental Protection Agency -- Great info and lesson plans for air, water, solid and hazardous waste, radiation, pesticides and many other topics. Also can do a search by zip code to find environmental conditions in your community.
• NJ Department of Environmental Protection -- Terrific site for local information
• USGS Earthshots -- Satellite Images of Environmental Change
• USGS Information on the Environment
• Scorecard -- Find out about pollutants in your community
• Earth Day Network
• Environmental news network -- Daily environmental news items; helpful for lesson ideas
• Earth Island Institute -- Resources for environmental action
• Sierra Club -- Lots of links for environmental education
• Environmental Defense Fund -- Great links available; lots of info.
• Earth Alert - Pollution -- Lessons, activities from Discovery School
• Stream Study - Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates

Directories for Environmental Resources

• Environmental Organization Web Directory -- Incredible directory of links for environmental science education
• Energy and the Environment Resources -- Great environmental science links
• EE-Link -- Resources for environmental education
• EnviroLink -- On-line environmental resources

Water Resources

• USGS Water Resources -- U.S. information including real time data
• USGS Water Education Resources
• USGS Water Resources for NJ -- Real time data for NJ watersheds
• USGS Water Science for Schools
• EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water
• Surf Your Watershed
• Safe Drinking Water Information -- Find out if your local water utility is meeting EPA standards for safe drinking water
• Water Utility Homepages
• The SOS Macroinvertebrate Key
• FloodCast -- Flood forecast maps
• NWS Office of Hydrology -- Current and historical hydrologic conditions

Air Quality Resources

• New Jersey Real-time Air Quality Index -- Find current air pollution levels near your home or school
• AIRNOW - US Real-time Air Quality Data
• AIRSData -- Air monitoring reports
• Real-time Ozone Information -- Find current upper atmospheric ozone levels over your home or school
• EPA Ozone Information
• Antarctic Ozone Soundings
• Air Quality Lesson Plans and Data
• Air Pollution FAQ's and Facts
• Global Warming Central
• EPA Acid Rain Program
• USGS pH Map of the United States (near real time data)
• pH Factor -- Activities for the classroom
• Acid Rain Hotlist -- Lesson plans and resources
• Acid Rain Frequently Asked Questions
• Acid Rain Background Information

Impact on Society Resources

• U.S. Census Bureau International Database -- Summary of demographic data worldwide
• U.S. Census Bureau Pop Clocks -- U.S. and World population projections at current moment
• Pop Clock Math Lesson
• EPA Human Health -- Curriculum, activities related to health
• Enviromine -- Acid rock drainage
• National Institute of Environment Health Sciences -- Many links to a wide variety of issues
• 3D Atlas Online:Human Impact -- Links to projects and a glossary
• Household Product Fact Sheet -- Neat fact sheet on indoor environmental health
• Environmental Defense Fund -- Great links available; lots of info.
• Earthways -- Making environmentally sound decisions
• Building Environmental Education Solutions -- Includes activities for environmentally conscious students
• Center for Environmental Health -- Learn here how the public is being protected from environmental health hazards
• Environmental Clearinghouse -- Information on a variety of environmental health issues
• National Library of Medicine -- Quality Information on Environmental Health, Toxicology, and HIV/AIDS
• Lighting Up the Ecosphere
• Oilspills -- EPA information site

Energy Resources

• The Science of Energy -- Lots of energy information plus activities and lessons for the classroom.
• Energy Quest -- Energy information, activities for science education
• Energy Net Energy Resources
• EnergyFiles -- Dept. of Energy's Office of Scientific and Technical Information 

Habitat Resources

• National Wildlife Federation -- Information on endangered species and other environmental issues
• U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Page
• Global Awareness Project -- Students can submit web pages with their reports on endangered species
• The Endangered Species and Nature Project
• Bagheera -- Endangered species information
• General Recycling Info (Looking in the Reference Library section)
• Plastics Resource Plastics recycling information.
• Garbage -- Info on solid waste, hazardous waste, recycling etc.
• Hands-on Plastic
• Plant National Database
• Environmental Justice Information Page

Publishing Student Work Online

• Endangered Species Project Submit students' reports 
• Investigating an Ecosystem: The Seashore
• Franklin Institute - Kids Did This
• 9th Grade Honors Research Project: Water Testing