Curated OER
Sink or Float Experiment
Students participate in an experiment to determine which objects float or sink. They use different amounts of salt for the objects and discover as the salt content increases, objects will float. They record their predictions and what...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Solar Powered Water Desalination
Here is a cool project about making fresh water from salt water using solar power, also known as water desalination. The apparatus is made from readily available materials, and the power source is free. As an inventive thinker, you will...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: One World Ocean
In this activity, students learn about ocean currents and the difference between salt and fresh water. They use colored ice cubes to see how cold and warm water mix and how this mixing causes currents. Also, students learn how surface...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.
Chem4kids
Chem4 Kids: Mixtures
This informative site contains basic information, offered in a straightforward way, on what constitutes a mixture. Examples and illustrations are part of this site.
NASA
Nasa: Polar Ice and Its Possible Effects on the Earth
This article describes the effects of polar ice caps on the Earth and offers explanations as to the possible effects of polar ice melting on sea level and temperature.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Jason: How Dense Is Salt Water?
Disappearing Wetlands: Explore the relationship between mass, density, and salinity by measuring the mass and volume of four saltwater solutions of increasing strength.
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Water Wonders
This site from the Environmental Education for Kids contains colorful and detailed information on water resources. Site covers fascinating tips and facts, as well as engaging quizzes on the wonderful world of water. Best suited for...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Density Differences
Students investigate differences in ocean water density, and record density data from salt, ice, and hot water samples in their notebooks. Students then simulate ocean water temperature levels in a simulation.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Seawater Desalination: Panacea or Hype?
An article and resources for research and teaching that explains how technologies are being used to desalinate ocean waters to be used for various municipal, industrial, and domestic purposes including a means to provide fresh water to...
Other
Energy of Seawater Desalination
This site gives information about energy needed for desalination. It gives formulas on how to determine these figures.
McGraw Hill
Glencoe Biology: Aquatic Ecosystems: Self Check Quiz
Try these five multiple-choice questions about aquatic ecosystems. After answers are submitted, students can review their mistakes.
Other
California Resources Agency: Desalination
This site is from the Office of the Secretary of California. It gives background about desalination along with basic methods on how it is accomplished.
A-Z Animals
A Z Animals: Reference: Habitats: Oceans
Learn about the ocean ecosystem, and how its characteristics affect the life within it.
Other
Nrdc: Clean Water and Oceans
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.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Ocean Currents
Students map the patterns of the major ocean currents, and learn about the influences of wind, water temperature, landmasses, and water density on currents.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Ocean Currents Change Our Earth
Middle schoolers learn about the factors that drive ocean currents by measuring the density of ocean water and tap water.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Properties of Solutions
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How solutes affect solvents, the freezing point depression and boiling point elevation.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Zoom School: Oceans
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.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Properties of Fresh Water and Sea Water
Students set up three demonstrations to observe the properties of water. They explore the boiling point of water, the freezing point of water, and the ability of water to store heat.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: "Thirsty? How 'Bout Seawater?"
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.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Water Science for Schools Why Is the Ocean Salty?
This U.S. Geological Survey website offers one explanation of why the ocean is salty. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Water Science for Schools Uses of Saline Water
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.