NASA
Nasa Space Place: Mesosphere
A concise explanation of the mesosphere, the middle layer of the atmosphere.
NASA
Nasa Space Place: Stratosphere
A brief explanation of the stratosphere including a discussion of the ozone layer.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Fossil Fuels and the Carbon Cycle
In the following lesson plan learners learn how geologists locate fossil fuels by using a straw to extract "core samples" from a model that has different layers. Student sheets are provided in English and in Spanish.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Stratosphere
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the properties of the stratosphere.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Air Pollution
Students are introduced to the concept of air quality by investigating the composition, properties, atmospheric layers and everyday importance of air. They explore the sources and effects of visible and invisible air pollution. By...
NASA
Nasa: Weather
Though we live on the surface of the Earth, we actually live at the bottom of an ocean of air. Dynamic layers of air interact with the Earth's surface and the Sun's energy to produce the phenomenon of weather. The atmosphere is...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Whole Body Ozone Chemistry
In this activity, learners will play the roles of various atoms and molecules to help them better understand how ozone is formed in the earth's stratosphere.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: What Is the Biosphere?
This article explains that as our knowledge of life on the planet evolves, we've come to use the word biosphere as a way of explaining the entire intertwined network of life on Earth. This concept combines an understanding of geology,...
NASA
Nasa Space Place: Thermosphere
A brief explanation of the thermosphere home to the International Space Station.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Above the Clouds: Telescopes on Mauna Kea
This video segment adapted from First Light explains why the highest peak in the Pacific, Mauna Kea, is an ideal site for astronomical observations. Featured are new telescope technologies that allow astronomers to explore the universe...
Idaho State University
Global Wind Systems [Pdf]
A great description of the global scale circulation and heat energy. Discusses a single-cell model, a three-cell model, jet streams and more.
Other
Antarctic Geological Drilling: Environmental Literacy Framework Activities
An impressive collection of lessons on climate science and climate change. The entire book can be downloaded. As well, each lesson has its own page with some combination of background information, PowerPoints, images, maps, glossaries,...
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Ozone Molecule
This diagram shows a 3D computer generated image of the triatomic molecule known as ozone. Ozone is an allotrope that contains three oxygen atoms. The ozone layer found in the upper atmosphere helps protect the Earth against potentially...