Elementary Education Resources: Science--Earth & Space

List of Contents (click on topic name for more links; also check the Secondary Earth & Space resources)

General Earth & Space Resources (23)
Astronomy (16)
Earth (13)
Environment/Ecology Resources (12)
Lesson Plans and Activities (5)
Oceans and Rivers (11)
Planets and the Planetary System (18)
Rock Mineral and Gems (10)
Space (24)
The Sun (15)

General Earth & Space Resources
A Multimedia tour of the Solar System
Aerosol Association--provides useful information about aerosols and the environment
Astrobiology--This site provides a one-stop source for information on our current knowledge of how life arose and managed to survive on Earth, and perhaps
elsewhere in the universe. It provides a compendium of links to articles about the field as well

BBC - Science & Nature - Supervolcano--BBC documentary about what would happen if Yellowstone erupted
Calculators for a wide range of math, science and technology applications
Canned Food Information Service--relevant to a fairly wide range of curricula and offers free resources
Deep Impact: The First Look Inside a Comet--Deep Impact will be the first mission to make a spectacular, football-stadium-sized crater, seven to 15 stories deep, into the speeding comet. Dramatic images from both the flyby spacecraft and the impactor will be sent back to distant Earth as data in near-real-time. These first-ever views deep beneath a comet's surface, and additional scientific measurements will provide clues to the formation of the solar system.
Earth Awareness Enrichment Program --a traveling interactive K-12 enrichment program featuring the Earth Balloon, a 22' model of the earth that students enter to learn about the changing earth. Students learn about rain forests, the ring of fire, the solar system, plate tectonics, scale, seasons, timezones and more.
Hamilton University Geosciences Resources

NASA Instructional Materials for Space Science --a boatload of activities you can do, from scale models of the solar system to spacecraft you can cut out of paper and build
National Air and Space Museum --maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. Site offers virtual tours, Internet activities, and extensive
links to other air-and-space websites
Nine Planets --an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar system. Each page has text and images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information
Peace Corps Kids World --join our pal, Traveler, as she explores the globe and learns about making a difference
Solar System Collisions --An interactive learning tool designed by Dr. Douglas P. Hamilton
Teacher Resource of the California Space and Science Center
Terra: First Images --Terra is the first satellite to monitor daily -- and on a global scale-- how the Earth's atmosphere, lands, oceans, solar radiation and life influence each other. Extraordinary images, movies, and animations are presented in a variety of formats - .jpeg, .tiff, QuickTime, and .mpeg
TerraServer --Microsoft 's link to satellite images; check out any spot on the globe from space
The Planetary Society --founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman to encourage the exploration of our solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life
The Space Science Group at Northwestern State University, LA : Science Out of This Word & Camp Discovery (Middle School resources)
The United States Geological Society
Water Where You Live --Site provides quick and easy access to information on the quality of local and statewide water in the 50 states
Wind Force Scale --In 1806, Sir Francis Beaufort developed a rating system for accurate recording of wind speed. This system was developed for sailors, but has since been modified for use on land.

World Wind NASA site--World Wind NASA site that lets you zoom from satellite altitude into any place on Earth using Landsat satellite imagery and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data, World Wind lets you experience Earth terrain in visually rich 3D, just as if you were really there.
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Astronomy
Astronomy and Space

Astronomy Center--features reviewed resources for teaching about astronomy
Astronomy in the Classroom
Astrorat's Kids Astronomy Site
At Home Astronomy--provides resources for hands-on experiments for the entire family
Black Sun eclipse website
Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground -children's online astronomy activities
Hands-On Universe - Astronomy
Have your astronomy questions answered
KidsAstronomy.com --dynamic Astronomy website, lots of fun activities for kids (including an ask an expert section where children can send their questions to real astronomers), as well as resources for teachers
NASA Instructional Materials for Space Science --a boatload of activities you can do, from scale models of the solar system to spacecraft you can cut out of paper and build
Nine Planets --an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar system. Each page has text and images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information
Science Power 2002 (Astronomy Lesson Plans and Activities)
StarChild -A Learning Center for Young Astronomers
The Planetary Society --founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman to encourage the exploration of our solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life
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Earth
CapeCodRocks.com --collection of several thousand specimens of rock mineral and gems in raw form. It's geared to 3rd through 9th grade and is simple to use. Students are allow to use the photos in their school geology reports.
Cascades Volcano Observatory
David Blomstrom's Earth Safari (GeoZoo)
Earth Awareness Enrichment Program --a traveling interactive K-12 enrichment program featuring the Earth Balloon, a 22' model of the earth that students enter to learn about the changing earth. Students learn about rain forests, the ring of fire, the solar system, plate tectonics, scale, seasons, timezones and more.
Earth Science Week - October 11-17, 1998
Education Resources for Oceanography and Earth Sciences
Earth Trips
Mama's Minerals --great resource for anything about rocks and minerals
Terra: First Images --Terra is the first satellite to monitor daily -- and on a global scale-- how the Earth's atmosphere, lands, oceans, solar radiation and life influence each other. Extraordinary images, movies, and animations are presented in a variety of formats - .jpeg, .tiff, QuickTime, and .mpeg
TerraServer --Microsoft 's link to satellite images; check out any spot on the globe from space
Water Where You Live --Site provides quick and easy access to information on the quality of local and statewide water in the 50 states
Wind and Sea --An Oceanic and Atmospheric Internet Locator
Wind Force Scale --In 1806, Sir Francis Beaufort developed a rating system for accurate recording of wind speed. This system was developed for sailors, but has since been modified for use on land.
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Environment/Ecology Resources
Aerosol Association--provides useful information about aerosols and the environment
Air quality lesson plans and data
Earth Awareness Enrichment Program --a traveling interactive K-12 enrichment program featuring the Earth Balloon, a 22' model of the earth that students enter to learn about the changing earth. Students learn about rain forests, the ring of fire, the solar system, plate tectonics, scale, seasons, timezones and more.
Energy Patrol -- Endangered Alert and Energy Saving Tips
Extreme Weather Sourcebook 2001 --Site produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration presents economic and other societal impacts related to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, lightning, and other U.S. weather phenomena
Geographic Information Systems --A useful tool in teaching and learning about environmental science
Terra: First Images --Terra is the first satellite to monitor daily -- and on a global scale-- how the Earth's atmosphere, lands, oceans, solar radiation and life influence each other. Extraordinary images, movies, and animations are presented in a variety of formats - .jpeg, .tiff, QuickTime, and .mpeg
TerraServer --Microsoft 's link to satellite images; check out any spot on the globe from space
The Feather Trade and the American Conservation Movement --The Smithsonian Institution's virtual exhibit on the effects of the feather trade on species extinction
The US Environmental Protection Agency's web site on acid rain
Water Where You Live --Site provides quick and easy access to information on the quality of local and statewide water in the 50 states
Wind Force Scale --In 1806, Sir Francis Beaufort developed a rating system for accurate recording of wind speed. This system was developed for sailors, but has since been modified for use on land.
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Lesson Plans and Activities
Air quality lesson plans and data
AskERIC
Earth and Space Lesson Plans
NASA Instructional Materials for Space Science --a boatload of activities you can do, from scale models of the solar system to spacecraft you can cut out of paper and build
QUEST: The Internet in the Classroom --electronic resources from NASA
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Oceans and Rivers
Earth Awareness Enrichment Program --a traveling interactive K-12 enrichment program featuring the Earth Balloon, a 22' model of the earth that students enter to learn about the changing earth. Students learn about rain forests, the ring of fire, the solar system, plate tectonics, scale, seasons, timezones and more
Education Resources for Oceanography and Earth Sciences
Expedition to the Seafloor --Explore towering underwater volcanoes, black smokers, and bizarre creatures that live there
Get Wet in the City - an investigation of city water
Hamline University's Center for Global Environmental Education --Rivers of Life on-line classroom
Terra: First Images --Terra is the first satellite to monitor daily -- and on a global scale-- how the Earth's atmosphere, lands, oceans, solar radiation and life influence each other. Extraordinary images, movies, and animations are presented in a variety of formats - .jpeg, .tiff, QuickTime, and .mpeg
TerraServer --Microsoft 's link to satellite images; check out any spot on the globe from space
The Los Angeles River
Treasures at Sea --explore the Oceans through Literature
Water Where You Live --Site provides quick and easy access to information on the quality of local and statewide water in the 50 states
Wind Force Scale --In 1806, Sir Francis Beaufort developed a rating system for accurate recording of wind speed. This system was developed for sailors, but has since been modified for use on land.
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Planets and the Planetary System
A Multimedia tour of the Solar System
Al Nous' NASA Educator Resource Center
Earth and Moon Viewer
Feel the "EARTHFORCE"
Fire and Life Images, The Sun - Earth Connection
How to set up a horizontal sundial
KidsAstronomy.com --dynamic Astronomy website, lots of fun activities for kids (including an ask an expert section where children can send their questions to real astronomers), as well as resources for teachers
NASA Instructional Materials for Space Science --a boatload of activities you can do, from scale models of the solar system to spacecraft you can cut out of paper and build
See pictures of Mars
Solar System sites on the Internet
Solar System sites
Nine Planets --an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar system. Each page has text and images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information
Sundials on the Internet --Sponsored by the British and American Sundial Societies
The Planetary Society --founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman to encourage the exploration of our solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life
The Space Science Group at Northwestern State University, LA --Science Out of This Word & Camp Discovery (Middle School resources)
Views of the Solar System
View the 1998 Solar eclipse
Visit NASA's superb Mars website
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Rock Mineral and Gems
CapeCodRocks.com --collection of several thousand specimens of rock mineral and gems in raw form. It's geared to 3rd through 9th grade and is simple to use. Students are allow to use the photos in their school geology reports.
Gem Gallery
Mama's Minerals --great resource for anything about rocks and minerals
Minerals, Crystals, and Gems: Stepping-Stones to Inquiry
Petrographic Workshop
Rocks and Minerals
Rock Classification -lesson plan
RocksForKids.com
Thematic Unit Rocks and Minerals
US State Gems, Minerals, Rocks and Stones
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Space
Al Nous' NASA Educator Resource Center
Astrobiology --Site offers the latest astrobiology news, an introduction to and overview of the study of astrobiology, discussions on the technologies used and
future missions, workshop links, educational resources, and an 'Ask an Astrobiologist' feature
Astronomy and Space

Destination Earth--NASA site which indexes their various earth-based projects
Great NASA website
KidsAstronomy.com --dynamic Astronomy website, lots of fun activities for kids (including an ask an expert section where children can send their questions to real astronomers), as well as resources for teachers
MAP, The Microwave Anisotropy Probe --This NASA site presents information on a mission that will measure the temperature of the cosmic background radiation over the full sky with unprecedented accuracy. This map of the remnant heat from the Big Bang will provide answers to fundamental questions about the origin and fate our our universe
NASA Ames Research Center --Educators' Resource Center
NASA Educator Resource Center for Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center --Educator Resource Laboratory
NASA Instructional Materials for Space Science --a boatload of activities you can do, from scale models of the solar system to spacecraft you can cut out of paper and build
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory -- Educator Resource Center
NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center
NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center -- Educator Resource Laboratory
NASA Lewis Research Center -- Educator Resource Center

NASA Robotics - Robotics Alliance Project--invites students and teachers to start a robotics team
NASA Spacelink
NASA Southport Education Website
NASA Stennis Space Center --Educator Resource Center
NASA Television: Space News
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Education Website
Photo Archive --Free images and photo's
The Space Science Group at Northwestern State University, LA --Science Out of This Word & Camp Discovery (Middle School resources)
Visit the shuttle mission's homepage
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The Sun
Black Sun eclipse website
Facts about the Sun
Fire and Life Images, The Sun - Earth Connection
KidsAstronomy.com --dynamic Astronomy website, lots of fun activities for kids (including an ask an expert section where children can send their questions to real astronomers), as well as resources for teachers
More pictures and Information about the Sun
NASA Instructional Materials for Space Science --a boatload of activities you can do, from scale models of the solar system to spacecraft you can cut out of paper and build
Pictures and Information about the Sun
Solar Flare Theory
Solar System Collisions --An interactive learning tool designed by Dr. Douglas P. Hamilton
Solar System sites on the Internet
Sundials on the Internet --Sponsored by the British and American Sundial Societies
Views of the Solar System
View the 1998 Solar eclipse
Virtual Tour Of The Sun
Will the Sun Burn Out?
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