Presents an activity in which water temperature is investigated in relation to water depth, weather patterns, land use, time of year, and other factors students choose to investigate with data collected from the Internet. Uses the Great Lakes as the setting for this investigation and examines how and why the temperature of a body of water changes…

Provides interdisciplinary ideas to accompany environmental education activities for kindergarten through grade 12. Topics of the activities include water pollution, soil erosion, and salmon homing instincts. Interdisciplinary areas include fine arts, language arts, and social studies. (DDR)

Provided is a rebuttal to an argument concerning the use of Ka values for water and the hydronium ion. The derivation of new values as a result of the treatment of the water as the solvent and using a Raoult's Law standard state is discussed. (CW)

Described is a role playing activity in which students are asked to assume roles that represent a variety of individuals who use Lake Superior. Discussed are the goals, materials and preparation, and procedures for the game. Examples of role cards are provided. (CW)

Describes activities which help students understand several basic scientific concepts regarding water. Outlines objectives, materials needed, procedures, and questions to ask about student observations. Investigations include working with the self-sealing property of water, talcum powder, paper clips, and making water wetter. (RT)

Evaluation of decisions incorporating public involvement is an area where views might differ according to the role of the stakeholder. Six general criteria for adequate evaluation of public involvement programs are presented in the context of a case study. (SLD)

Presents mind-mapping and role-playing exercises designed to guide students in the exploration, expression, and integration of varying viewpoints and opinions of a controversial topic (nitrate contamination of water supply); illustrate the importance of applying soil fertility principles to environmental and agronomic management; and encourage…

Describes an experiment to investigate chemical changes, pH, dissolved oxygen content, light intensity, and temperature in water containing aquatic plants. (MKR)

Presents an exercise that gives students a real feeling for experimental errors and demonstrates the importance of frequent repetition and averaging. (JRH)

Analyzes and explains the results obtained from nearly 18 years of environmental cooperation among the 18 Mediterranean states to clean up the Mediterranean Sea. (Contains 65 references.) (MDH)

Describes the history, construction, and use of a diffusion cloud chamber to detect and study radioactive materials. (MKR)

Describes Ohio's Scenic Rivers Monitoring Program that uses benthic macroinvertebrates, such as the stonefly, mayfly, and water penny beetle larva, as key indicators of water quality and stream health. Presents a three-category scheme for invertebrates based upon their tolerance to pollution. Students can collect samples of these organisms,…

The director of the Marine Systems Laboratory of the Smithsonian Institution discusses steps in developing ecological models. The following topics in using an aquarium for the ecosystem are described: lighting, water motion, water quality and filtration. Presents information on choosing living organisms for the ecosystem. Describes potential…