Ecologists now accept human beings and our activities as a significant influence on the Earths ecology. ASTER data is being used to better understand urban ecology, in particular how humans build their cities and affect the surrounding environment. Will Stefanov of Arizona State University will present the first set of ASTER images of the urban skeleton of the amount of built structures in 12 cities around the world and discuss the Urban Environmental Monitoring project which will examine 100 urban centers to look for common features (or lack of them) in global city structure and monitor change over time.

Ecologists now accept human beings and our activities as a significant influence on the Earths ecology. ASTER data is being used to better understand urban ecology, in particular how humans build their cities and affect the surrounding environment. Will Stefanov of Arizona State University will present the first set of ASTER images of the urban skeleton of the amount of built structures in 12 cities around the world and discuss the Urban Environmental Monitoring project which will examine 100 urban centers to look for common features (or lack of them) in global city structure and monitor change over time.

Ecologists now accept human beings and our activities as a significant influence on the Earths ecology. ASTER data is being used to better understand urban ecology, in particular how humans build their cities and affect the surrounding environment. Will Stefanov of Arizona State University will present the first set of ASTER images of the urban skeleton of the amount of built structures in 12 cities around the world and discuss the Urban Environmental Monitoring project which will examine 100 urban centers to look for common features (or lack of them) in global city structure and monitor change over time.

As the carbon dioxide concentration of our atmosphere increases and our climate warms, the hay fever season seems to be getting longer and more severe. In this case study, students assume the a role of a public relations specialist contracted to communicate the link between climate change and pollen allergies. The activity focuses on the importance of scientific skills to careers outside science, and is most suitable for a lower-level introductory biology, human health, or environmental science course.

This course is assembled from UC-approved college preparatory courses and is designed to acquaint students with the physical, ecological, social, and political principles of environmental science. The scientific method is used to analyze and understand the inter-relationships between humans and the natural environment. The course shows how ecological realities and the material desires of humans often clash, leading to environmental degradation and pollution. The course covers: Earth's Systems, Human Population Dynamics, Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Global Changes, and Environment and Society.

Due to the presence of dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide, rainfall is naturally acidic. This exercise will familiarize you with the phenomenon known as acid rain, requires that you take water samples from rainfall.

This pop-up book was designed for K-4 students to introduce them to remote sensing. By following Echo's journey through Arizona they become more familiar with map use and remote sensing images. After completing this book, children ages 5-6 should be able to distinguish between what a satellite sees and what Echo sees, be able to identify patterns and color in the satellite image and compare these to what Echo sees, and begin to extend the concept that texture is not only how something feels but is also how something looks. Older children (ages 7-9) should begin to describe what the satellite is seeing by just looking at the satellite view and they should also be able to describe the location of patterns and colors (i.e., square patterns of irrigated crops are near rivers and green forests are on top of mountains) and make more elaborate observations about texture in the satellite images. A set of activities reinforce the four basic themes or concepts fundamental to interpreting satellite imagery: perspective, shape and pattern, color, and texture.

This activity is an indoor/outdoor activity that incorporates both literacy and scientific observation to make an ABC book based on Antler, Bear, Canoe by Betsy Bowen. Family participation is encouraged.

This activity is an indoor/outdoor activity that incorporates both literacy and scientific observation to make an ABC book based on Antler, Bear, Canoe by Betsy Bowen.

The Horn of Africa has been experiencing exceptional droughts over the last decade. Using data collected from the NOAA POES satellite, changes in the severity of the drought conditions in the Horn and around the world are shown.

In this web-based, interactive story, Tutangiaq (Too-tang-geye-ack - nicknamed 2T), a Canada Goose, flies across Alaska looking for his family. As he flies, he tells children about the fascinating 49th state. Children learn how Alaska was purchased from the Russians, and other facts about the state. They can also compare the size of Alaska to other states. 2T takes a flight across the volcanic chain in Alaska and helps the students to interactively explore how scientists monitor volcanoes from satellite images in near-real time. At the coast, the bird also meets his Walrus friend who shows him how the sea ice edge has receded and gives an example of an adverse effect on marine life. Finally, 2T arrives in Fairbanks where children use satellite imagery to help 2T find and unite with his family.

This lesson provides an introduction to the use of the sun's energy. Topics include the history of solar energy usage and its more recent adaptations. There is also discussion of how the sun produces and radiates energy and what happens when it reaches Earth.

This series of animations depicts the results of a computer simulation of the effects of deforestation on the surface temperature and precipitation in the Amazon region. Six animations are shown - a control simulation, a deforestation simulation, and the difference between the two for both surface temperature and rainfall. The period simulated is the second half of 1987.

This site provides information about the distribution of arsenic in ground water of the United States. The site features links to publications such as fact sheets, research and reports, as well as numerical data collected from over 20,000 wells. The site also provides maps that show where and to what extent arsenic occurs in ground water across the country. Links to additional resources related to arsenic and drinking water are also included.

The purpose of this investigation is to have students analyze cloud cover and to compose written conclusions to a given related scenario.

Much of the more than 30 million tons of asbestos used in the United States since 1900 is still present as insulation in offices and schools, as vinyl-asbestos flooring in homes, and in other common products. This book presents a comprehensive evaluation of the relation of these fibers to specific diseases and the extent of non-occupational risks associated with them. It covers sources of asbestiform fibers, properties of the fibers, and carcinogenic and fibrogenic risks they pose. The book may be read online, printed, or purchased from the site.

This exercise is intended to reinforce the importance of Earth's atmosphere to living organisms. Topics include our bodies' interactions with the atmosphere; its composition and structure; and natural changes in the atmosphere (weather).

This site provides an illustrated lecture from a geochemistry course offered by Dr. Scott Wood at the University of Idaho. Topics include a review of the structure and formation of the Earth's crust, atmosphere, and hydrological cycle, and the composition of the atmosphere. Additional topics covered are the concept of residence time, geological and biological sources of components in the atmosphere, acid-base theory, Henry's law and the solubility of gases in water, primary and secondary air pollution, acid rain and how to carry out calculations of the pH of solutions containing acids, among others. The lecture presentation may be downloaded as a PDF document or a PowerPoint presentation. Reading and homework assignments, with answers, are also provided.

The Aura Ozone Monitoring Lithograph describes where ozone is found, how ozone is formed, and the effects of ozone on biological processes. How and why NASA studies ozone is covered along with how individuals can monitor ground level (tropospheric) ozone by starting their own ozone-monitoring garden.