Geology

Lessons in Geology
Go in-depth into the center of the earth and learn about our planet’s molten core, what causes earthquakes and volcanoes. If you need to know about what makes up the earth, this is the place for you.

The Dirt on Soil
We know less about life in the earth under our feet than we do about the far side of the moon. Yet every plant and animal you can think of depends on this vast hidden ecosystem. Dig into this underground universe and meet its tiny but helpful residents.

Volcano World
How does a volcano get built? Why does it erupt? This is the “premier” site on the web to learn about volcanoes, including up-to-the-minute information on volcanic activity around the world.

Atmosphere and Water

Lesson on Climate
Why is it hot in one place and cold in another? Learn how climate works and why it changes across our planet.

Lessons in Water & Hydrology
We are surrounded by water. The earth’s surface is three-fourths water, our cities and towns are circled by streams and rivers, it falls out of the sky. Learn about water cycles, how water moves from the sky to the rivers to the ocean and back to the sky, and about groundwater and seawater.

Lessons on Atmosphere
Learn about the gasses that make up the atmosphere, how it protects the earth and creates the oxygen we breath and the carbon dioxide that plants need for photosynthesis. This wonderful site has all the information you will need for homework about our atmosphere.

Environmental Science

Lessons on Ecosystems
When you need to study a specific area (like your backyard) and how the plants, animals (including us!), land and water all work together to support life you are studying ecosystems. Go to this site to learn about how the different parts of ecosystems work together.

The Tree of Life: Exploring Living Diversity
The Tree of Life is a project containing information about the diversity of organisms on Earth, their history, and characteristics. The information is linked together in the form of the evolutionary tree that connects all organisms to each other.

Ocean Ecology
Explore the ocean through an online exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Here you can learn about marine life and ocean science, visit the Sea Store, and take virtual ‘fly-bys’ from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. The Resource Room has some great links to other ocean resources on the web.

Ecology Maps
This site has great interactive maps for you to learn about how the local environment, animals, plants and humans are doing. Once you find a part of the world you are interested in, just click on the map and they will give lots of information, including pictures.

Get Involved!: Sierra Student Coalition
Do you want to work on environmental issues? Do you want to make concrete changes in the world? If so, then the SSC might be the right place for you. The SSC is the largest student environmental network in the country.

Lessons on Biosphere
Scientists call the world where we live, all of the ecosystems put together, the biosphere. It's where trees, bugs, and animals all live. It is the one place where all of the spheres of the planet work together. This site will teach you how the air, the water and the land interact to support life on earth throughout the ecosystem.