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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Water Pollution: Groundwater

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what groundwater is, how and where it occurs, how the quality of our groundwater is being affected by human activities, and the detrimental impact this has on plants and animals. (Updated: February 22, 2012)
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Ddt

For Students 9th - 10th
Information about the insecticide DDT, a toxic chemical that was used widely in World War II and later, and is still used in some countries today. It has had far-reaching effects on the environment, as it is carried long distances by air...
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Activity
PBS

Pbs: Water Quality Control Center: Rough Science: Rough Science Adventure

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A team from the PBS show Rough Science Adventure have produced tests to determine attributes of water. Simple experiment guides will investigate pollution, mineral content, whether there are organisms living in the water, how to create a...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: Now With Bill Moyers: Troubled Waters: Brief History of the Clean Water Act

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the background of the legislation that resulted in the Clean Water Act in 1972, and read about the results of that legislation.
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Activity
University of Missouri

Microbes in Action: Classroom Activities: Water Quality Testing [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this experiment, students will test the quality of a water sample by observing the number of coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are found in human intestines and a large amount can indicate water contamination. Lesson plan gives a...
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Lesson Plan
Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Human Impact: Save the Bay

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students watch as their teacher simulates an oil spill. Following the demonstration, groups of students race to figure out the best way to clean up the spill before it reaches land. Students then discuss their observations.
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Website
Other

Water Pollution

For Students 3rd - 8th
Read about the different types of water pollution and the harm it can cause. Learn about oil spills how they are cleaned up, and how you can help prevent water pollution. Additional links point to other topics relevant to the study of...
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Handout
Other

Nc Department of Energy and Natural Resources: What Is Stormwater Pollution

For Students 3rd - 8th
When it rains, some of the rainwater soaks into the ground, and part of it flows over the ground and directly into creeks, streams, or rivers. This water that runs off into the river is called runoff, or sometimes stormwater runoff....
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Interactive
Other

North Carolina Department of Energy and Natural Resources: Pollution Solutions

For Students 3rd - 8th
Try to find at least eight things in the picture that could cause litter, waste, or other pollutants to end up in the storm drain and eventually flow into nearby lakes and streams. Includes a link to an interactive page of this activity....
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Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Effects of Human Activities

For Students 9th - 10th
This site reviews the effects of agricultural development, urban and industrial development, drainage of the land surface, modifications to river valleys, and modifications to the atmosphere have on ground water and surface water.
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Handout
US Fish and Wildlife Service

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (Organochlorines) Ddt

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a brief history of the use of DDT in the United States, its effect on wildlife, and the banning of the toxin in 1972 by the EPA.
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Handout
Geographic

Vietnam Geography

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains all basic information on Vietnam geography with hyperlinks to more information on the Vietnam economy, politics, and military.
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Article
PBS

Pbs Kids: The Gulf Coast Oil Disaster

For Students 9th - 10th
Why does the oil spill in the Golf of Mexico matter? What can you do? These are two of the topics discussed in the PBS Kds blog "The It's My Life Blog". (3 May 2010)
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Lesson Plan
The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute Online: Slick Sea Spills

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Use this site to promote environmental awareness in your classroom with this lesson on the effects of oil spills on water habitats.
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Handout
Government of Alberta

Alberta Environment: Focus on Water Quality

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses the importance of water in our lives, the necessity for clean water, what threatens it, and how we can act to help protect the quality of our water.
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Website
Other

Center for Watershed Protection

For Students 6th - 8th
Explore this non-profit organizations site for watershed information.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Environmental Reform

For Students 5th - 8th
Environmental awareness in the United States became more focused upon the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Read about student protests, presidential legislation, and a new desire to protect the environment.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Protecting Water From Pollution

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How to reduce pollution and clean up polluted water.
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Website
Other

Nrdc: Clean Water and Oceans

For Students 9th - 10th
What prompted congress to pass the Clean Water Act? Has this legislation been successful? The Natural Resources Defense Council offers information on fresh and ocean waters, pollution control, conservation, and more.
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eBook
National Institutes of Health

Niehs: Kids' Pages: Water, the Never Ending Story

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Online children's story that teaches about the importance of keeping water clean. Click on "next" at the bottom of the story to discover why having pure water affects the way we live and learn.
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Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Freddy the Fish

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore how pollution can affect natural organisms and habitats.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Straining Out the Dirt

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students build a water filter with activated carbon, cotton and other materials to remove chocolate powder from water.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Splish, Splash, I Was Takin' a Bath!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson, learners will explore the causes of water pollution and its effects on the environment through the use of models and scientific investigation. In the accompanying activities, they will investigate filtration and aeration...
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Website
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Summary of the Clean Water Act

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a brief overview of the Clean Water Act. Includes links to its history and to information about compliance and enforcement.