Curated OER
Unesco: United Kingdom: Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
The area around Blaenavon is evidence of the pre-eminence of South Wales as the world's major producer of iron and coal in the 19th century. All the necessary elements can still be seen - coal and ore mines, quarries, a primitive railway...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Water Use in the United States
This thorough site delves into how we use water on an everyday basis. Ground water, surface water, domestic use, commercial use, irrigation use, are just a few of the topics described on this site. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
BSCS Science Learning
Bscs: Heavy Metals in Waterways
This inquiry focuses on heavy metals in waterways in Colorado. Students will learn about heavy metals and data collected about them from citizen scientists, and then analyze the data in tables and maps to identify possible evidence of...
Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada: Community Stories: The World at Our Doorstep
This Virtual Museum of Canada pictorial exhibition highlights the perseverance of a working class that is dealing with big changes that have taken place in Cape Breton over the last decade (closure of the steel plant in 1999; closure of...
Black Past
Black Past: Buxton, Iowa
This is an interesting encyclopedia article about the multi-ethnic town of Buxton, Iowa, a coal-mining town with little racial discrimination.
NSTATE
Netstate.com: Economy of Arkansas
The economy of Arkansas is the focus of this site. Agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and the service industry are each discussed.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Lehigh Valley Tempo: Canal History
The Lehigh Valley became a major part of the Industrial Revolution after coal was discovered in the area. In this short video, learn about the canal system that was built as a way to transport the coal from the local mines to New York...
Other
American Federation of Labor: John Lewis (1880 1969)
Biographical information on John L. Lewis, who was president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), and also the founding president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).
Other
Doing History, Keeping the Past
Fun site gives great pictures and explanations of Colorado history: farmers and ranchers, city dwellers, mining towns, Native Americans. Take virtual field trips into Denver's history.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Moses Austin 1761 1821
A good resource that provides the life history of Moses Austin, one of the founders of the lead industry in America. Before he died, he had a vision of establishing an American colony in Spanish controlled Texas.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Morocco: Economy
Read about the stable economy of Morocco. Find out how the government is trying to diversify the economy and move away from such dependence on agriculture. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Labor in America
A rich collection of resources, including primary sources, student activities, and lesson plans, to support study of Americans at work in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
My Science Site
Water Works! One Resource Many Users [Pdf]
This resource takes a closer look at water withdrawal and instream use in Canada and compares it to other countries. Incorporates subject areas such as science, social studies, language arts, history, geography, math and environmental...
Other
Msha's Page for Kids: The Dirty Children
A report on the terrible conditions children had to face in the coal mines during the late 19th century.
Other
Encyclopedia and Guide to Manchester: The Bridgewater Canal
A history of the Bridgewater Canal built in 1760 and which was "the forerunner of all modern canals". The canal connected coal mines found in Worsley with Manchester England. By clicking on the names you will get biographical details.
Nature Canada
Nature Canada: Canada's Boreal Forest
A look at Canada's Boreal Forest ecosystem. One of the largest ecosystems in the world, it provides abundant fresh water for North America and is home to many species of wildlife, for example, wolves and caribou. There is also discussion...
Curated OER
Unesco: Sweden: Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun
The enormous mining excavation known as the Great Pit at Falun is the most striking feature of a landscape that illustrates the activity of copper production in this region since at least the 13th century. The 17th-century planned town...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Making a Living in Gold and Cattle
In this section, students will learn about the major discoveries and developments in western gold, silver, and copper mining in the mid-nineteenth century. They will be able to explain why the cattle industry was paramount to the...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: United States Economic Regions, 1900
A map from 1912 of the United States showing the principal industries of the region. The map is color-coded to show the areas of fishing grounds, industrial centers, coal mining areas, petroleum fields, and iron ore fields. This map...
Other
Colorado Coal Field War History
Presented is a fascinating detailed account of the 1913-1914 Colorado Coal Strike that went on for 14 months and resulted in 66 deaths. Although the coal miners lost, they ultimately came to see the strike as a victory in many ways....
PBS
Pbs: The American Experience in the 1900s
This site presents a general picture of what life was like in the United States at the turn of the century. Content includes compelling images, information, and documents about American life.
Science Museum, London
Science Museum Energy Hall: The Impact of the Steam Engine
This fascinating museum exhibit is on how the development of the steam engine has impacted the lives of many people over the last two hundred plus years.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Museum: Chapter Ten: Resources and Climates [Pdf]
A teacher guide designed to support a visit to the Bullock Museum, but can be used on its own using available resources. Includes information, discussion questions, activities, and worksheets. This module looks at the challenges Texans...