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Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Sea and Ice Salinity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the effects of salinity on the formation of sea ice, and whether salt water freezes more quickly or more slowly than fresh water.
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Handout
Other

University of Texas at Dallas: Why Is the Sea Salty?

For Students 9th - 10th
A clear and concise explanation of why some of the earth's waters are salty and others are not.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Nanoos: What's a Water Column Profile? [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan helps students discover the relationship between temperature, salinity, and density in coastal marine waters. Students access and retrieve water column profile data from the NANOOS and/or the WA Department of Ecology's...
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Stuff to Do: Density of Salty Water

For Students 3rd - 5th
An experiment to test what happens when ocean water hits a freshwater estuary. Each step is demonstrated with photographs and the difference between salinity and density is explained.
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Handout
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Zoom School: Oceans

For Students 3rd - 8th
Find out why the oceans are blue and what causes waves by clicking here. There is a table of information about the four oceans as well as interesting facts on waves, salinity, and tides.
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Handout
University of California

University of California: Seawater Density & Salinity [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the properties of seawater and the variations depending on its location, e.g., near a shoreline, in an estuary, or as sea ice. Discusses the instruments scientists use to measure the density of water and explains other...
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Website
Other

Saltland Genie: Finding Solutions for Saltland

For Students 9th - 10th
Managing dryland salinity and its results on farmers, farm advisers, catchment managers and researchers/students. Guided information organized in 7 specific units.
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Noaa: Ocean Explorer: Hot, Cold, Fresh and Salty

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students simulate ocean water characteristics in order to recognize that the effects of salinity and temperature are the drivers of thermohaline circulation.
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Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: "Thirsty? How 'Bout Seawater?"

For Students 3rd - 8th
This U.S. Geological Survey website explains the desalinization method used by some communities to change sea water into drinking water. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
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Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Water Science for Schools Uses of Saline Water

For Students 3rd - 8th
This U.S. Geological Survey website explains a variety of uses for saline water. Pie graphs and bar graphs are used to illustrate the various uses. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
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Website
Other

Planet Ark: World Environmental News

For Students 9th - 10th
Welcome to Planet Ark's daily Reuters World Environment News - the most comprehensive source of environmental news on the Net. To read previous news stories, please use the search engine below to find stories relating to any...
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Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Saltwater Tester

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explore circuits and the flow of electricity. Create a saltwater tester using a battery and electrical buzzer.
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Website
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Earth's Oceans

For Students 4th - 6th
Oceans contain 97% of the water on the Earth and are home to a huge number of living creatures. View an informative slideshow of the ocean and its inhabitants and then test yourself on what you learned.
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Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Seawater Chemistry Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about the composition of ocean water. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.