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.

In this assignment, students explore the origin and distribution of oil and gas in a region of global significance. Also included are the geologic history and the socio-political and environmental issues associated with hydrocarbon exploration and production. Students then walk through an online case study and write an essay addressing important points that they have learned. The Calibrated Peer Review interface is then used to give feedback on the essays. On this Starting Point page, users can access information about the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment ideas, references and topics covered.

This Journal of Geoscience Education article discusses a mock trial in which undergraduates serve as expert witnesses and law students serve as their attorneys. The article identifies the trial as an effective vehicle for developing quantitative skills and enhancing written and oral communication skills. The course discussed is unabashedly about applying scientific principles to solve real-world problems. The entire course revolves around the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of scientific data.

The Ramsar Wetlands Data Gateway is a database containing information on protected international wetlands. In this activity, users search the database to find a wetland that they are interested in helping to protect. Using the database search capabilities, users select various wetland characteristics and generate a report on the sites that meet their search criteria. Then, they access an interactive map to view the locations and nearby features of the identified wetland sites. Next, they narrow the choices down to a single wetland that they would like to protect and gather further information about it. Finally, users prepare a brief report to persuade others of the value of protecting the site.

The Fishing Game is an activity that places students in the role of manager in the National Fish and Wildlife Service. They are charged with the responsibility of making policy suggestions regarding the management of a fishery surrounding national borders. Fishing is an important source of economic income for their country so their decisions must ensure the healthy maintenance of the fish population and fishing industry. Students learn introductory aspects of the use and modification of the Stella modeling environment, lessons and concepts related to systems dynamics, how models can be used to assess policy, about sustainable use of limited resources, and about the effectiveness of different environmental policy. This activity is likely to take 2 hours and it is a good lesson for introductory geoscience courses that have an Earth System approach and in which the instructor plans to make use of the Stella Modeling environment. This site also includes teaching notes and tips, necessary teaching materials, assessment ideas and additional resources. This activity is part of the Starting Point Collection: http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/

This site from the "On the Cutting Edge" workshop series contains a variety of educational and supporting materials for both students and faculty teaching in the emerging field of geology and human health. You will find links to internet resources, books, teaching activities, and a group listserv, as well as posters, presentations and discussions from the spring 2004 workshop on Geology and Human Health.

Over the course of several lessons, this lesson plan deals with the consequences of damming in the Grand Canyon area. Students act as scientists investigating the damming of the Colorado River by the Glen Canyon dam and experimental flooding that took place in 1996. They then write a proposal as to whether or not more experimental flooding should be done on the area considering the ecological effects. This topic has great potential for an Earth Systems Science class, as the consequences of damming affect climate, ecosystems, sedimentation/erosion, and water quality. On this Starting Point page, users can find learning goals, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment hints and references and resources dealing with this exercise. It also describes the context in which the lesson is best used.

The National Geographic Society's global energy debate lesson plan explores the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States. Students will research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implications. They will then assume the roles of pivotal stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee responsible for making decisions about public lands and energy resources. This Starting Point website describes the learning goals and context of use of this exercise. It also provides teaching notes, a list of necessary teaching materials, assessment hints and additional resources.

This pdf document commissioned by the Pew Ocean Commission describes the problem of invasive species along the United States coastline. The document provides information regarding how bioinvasions occur, the number of invasive species introduced, the effects of bioinvasions, prevention, reduction and control of marine bioinvasions and recommendations for action against invasive species invasion. The pdf also provides a glossary of bioinvasion terms.

The United States Government's Invasive Species website is the gateway to Federal efforts concerning invasive species. On this site users can learn about the impacts of invasive species and the Federal government's response, as well as read select species profiles and find links to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues. This is also the website for the National Invasive Species Council, which coordinates Federal responses to the problem. Users can access geographically specific information on invasive species, a variety of databases, labs and regulations and the Federal management plan. Invasivespecies.gov provides a wealth of information on domestic invasive species.

The lessons in these teachers guides are based upon the Journey to Planet earth public television series. Included in these guides are lessons for the ten episodes in the series.

This role-playing exercise casts students as scientific specialists, assigned to a group either supporting or opposing the cloning of dinosaurs. There are 4-6 specialists (or groups of specialists): geneticists, ecologists, etc., on each side. Each side researches for a couple of weeks and presents its argument in class (usually a single class period for each side), and other students can ask the specialists questions. Each student also turns in two pages summarizing his/her arguments as a specialist the day of the presentation. The material provided by the professor for research includes information about cloning technology and about dinosaurs. On this Starting Point page, users can access information about the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment ideas, references and topics covered.

This site from SERC presents Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) warm up questions about dam removal. The questions examine the biological effects of dam removal, the reasoning behind dam removal, and the studies that should be conducted before, during and after dam removal.

This site from SERC features Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) warm up questions about health in Africa. The questions examine the benefits, opportunities, and challenges of using handheld medical technology in Africa and whether or not the use of such technology should continue to be explored and developed.

This site from SERC features Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) warm up questions about water issues related to Egypt's Aswan High Dam. The questions examine costs of the dam, good and bad environmental changes, as well as positive and negative impacts on the local people from construction of the dam.

This website summarizes the outcomes and papers presented at the December 1995 Kyoto Conference. The Conference discussed Sustainable Contribution of Fisheries to Food Security. This page includes the Kyoto declaration and plan of action as well as executive summaries presented at the conference.

Presents issues related to malaria as a major public health problem. Emphasizes the biology of malaria parasites and factors affecting their transmission to humans by anopheline vectors. Topics include host-parasite-vector relationships; diagnostics; parasite biology; vector biology; epidemiology; host immunity; risk factors associated with infection, human behavior, chemotherapy, and drug resistances; anti-vector measures; vaccine development; and management and policy issues.

This Starting Point webpage is the summary of a role-playing resource called Mock Environmental Summit. The exercise takes place at the end of a six-week class or unit on global warming. Students role-play representatives from various countries and organizations at an international summit on the Santa Barbara protocol, dealing with global warming. The students prepare by studying the IPCC report on Global Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and other information on human impact on the environment. The course involves several writing assignments, presentations, and lab activities that help the students research their arguments. This website explains the learning goals of the exercise and context for its use. It also provides teaching notes and tips, a list of necessary teaching materials, assessment techniques and additional resources.

Model United Nations (UN) is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. This Headquarters homepage offers an 'ask an ambassador' section, an overview of the Model UN, FAQ, information on how to get started and how to prepare for a conference. Users can also follow links to several interactive forums, a conference calendar, additional links and e-news.