Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico This oil spill is now the worst in U.S. history. The spill is taking a heavy toll on wildlife. More than 800 dead animals, including birds, fish, and dolphins, have been found in areas affected by the spill. Minerals Management Service Oil Affecting Wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico The Big Oil Spill The Science of Spills

Government Sites

About Beaches - Beaches are a great place to have fun with your family and friends. Next time you go to the beach, you'll know more about what the beach is and how to protect it. Select one of the topics to learn more.

Air Quality Index - Learn how air pollution is measured, about the Air Quality Index (AQI), and how the index can be a quick way to tell people how good or bad something is. The AQI uses colors, and numbers, and words to tell you about the air.

BLM Learning Landscapes for Students - (Bureau of Land Management) - has links to several student-oriented BLM sites; including links topics such as dinosaurs and fire. You can find the best information for student projects.

Bold Kids - Captain's Log - (Environmental Protection Agency) - There are 13 scientists onboard the research ship, Bold; they will be working on a nutrient survey from Boston Harbor to Penobscot Bay in midcoast Maine. EPA will be collecting up to 200 water samples in coastal Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, with special attention in Penobscot Bay, Massachusetts Bay and southern Maine. Wonder what life is like onboard the Bold? Find out here.

Bold Kids - Daily Observation Log - (Environmental Protection Agency) - The ocean research ship, Bold, has research missions up and down both coasts of the U.S. Read posts from two staffers and scientists; these posts include live tweeting with pictures.

Celebrating Wildflowers - Just for Kids - (Forest Service) - Learn more about wildflowers on our National Forests and Grasslands with games, coloring pages, and fun activities!

Climate Change and Our Planet - NOAA Education - (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - Use the fun activities on this page to learn more about climate and weather, global warming, and the greenhouse effect.

Climate Change Kids Site - EPA - (Environmental Protection Agency) - Find out about the greenhouse effect and how we can make a difference.

Climate Kids - NASA - Command an interactive Climate Time Machine to travel back and forth through time and see how climate changes have affected our world or may affect it in the future. - Choose the "greenest" transportation options in a game called "Go Green," or go on a "Wild Weather Adventure." - Learn about green careers from people who are working to understand climate change.

Collecting Rocks - (Geological Survey) - Learn about different types of rocks and how to identify and collect them.

Dig It! The Secrets of Soil - National Museum of Natural History - (Smithsonian Institution) - Discover the amazing world of soils with images and information.

Drinking Water and Ground Water - Kids' Stuff Grades 4-8 - This EPA Office of Water’s web page has links to games and activities that will help you learn about drinking water.

Drinking Water and Ground Water - Kids' Stuff Grades K- 3 - See the water cycle and its many stages and try the flash animated activity that lets you control the water cycle as you learn. Also learn how to build your own water cycle with everyday items.

Drinking Water Kids' Stuff - This site has great games and activities that will help you learn about drinking water.

Dynamic Earth - The National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, offers this really interactive and engaging site to teach about science of the earth. The three main sections of the site include: Rocks at Earth's Surface, Rocks Below Earth's Surface, and Mining.

Earthquakes - Science Fair Project Ideas - (Geological Survey) - Science Fair Projects on earthquake predicting, impacts, seimology, and more.

Earthquakes for Kids - (Geological Survey) - Shake it up with this cool site from the USGS! Learn cool quake facts, earthquake ABC's, and catch up on the science of seismology. You can also explore being a geophysicist.

Energy Sources - (Energy Information Administration) - Learn the difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy and much more.

Energy Star Kids - (Environmental Protection Agency) - Be an Energy Star! Find out how you and your classmates can make big changes and help save the world.

EPA Global Warming Kids Site - This site explains what global warming is, the greenhouse effect, and the changes in climate and weather.

EPA Kids - Learn how you can make the earth a cleaner place to live with fun games and activities.

EPA Student Center - This site from the Environmental Protection Agency is for students in the 5th thru 8th grades. Learn about projects, careers, ecosystems and much more.

Estuaries.Gov - Students Page - (National Estuarine Research Reserve System) - Learn about basic estuarine concepts and answer questions to solve a puzzle. You can also find information about careers in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the knowledge and skills required to enter these careers, and much more.

Explorers' Club - The Environmental Protection Agency’s website allows you to explore your environment and learn about the many things you can do to protect it.

Fall Colors - Forest Service - When are the peak times to see the most color? Find out here.

FEMA For the Little Ones - (Federal Emergency Management Agency) - Learn what causes disasters, play games, read stories, and become a Disaster Action Kid.

Florida - Department of Environmental Protection Kids Page - Are you ready for an adventure into the wet and wild world of Florida's natural environment? Learn fun facts and play activities on this website from the DEP.

Greenhouse Effect - (Environmental Protection Agency) - The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere trap energy from the sun. Because of how they warm our world, these gases are referred to as greenhouse gases. Read more about the importance of these gases.

Habitat Adventure: Panda Challenge - In "Habitat Adventure: Panda Challenge!", you will help make decisions about a fictional forest reserve. You will use binoculars, field guides, a camera, and other tools, as well as talk to local people to help you make the best decisions.

Join the Lorax and Help Protect the Earth from Global Warming - (Environmental Protection Agency) -Do your part everyday by making easy changes at home and at school and help stop global warming. This book has fun activities, games and puzzles.

Kids Saving Energy - Games and Activities - (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) - Fun games and activities for kids who want to save energy.

Let’s Go Outside! - (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) - Spending family time outside is easy and fun. Whether it is your own backyard, a local community park or a national wildlife refuge, there are lots of outdoor places you can visit. It's time to reconnect with our environment.

Minerals Management Service - Kids' Pages - The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is the Federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources. This site links to great pages about energy, the ocean and math.

National Ocean Service Education Page - (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - This site teaches you about our environment and the ocean. Learn about nautical charts, estuaries, pollution and more. There's also a section for teachers with lesson plans and professional development.

NBII Kids - National Biological Information Infrastructure - (Geological Survey) - You'll find games, puzzles, stories, and projects that help kids learn about nature and conservation while having fun.

Ocean Explorer - (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - The Ocean Explorer web site is entertaining and educational for you to learn about, discover, and virtually explore the ocean.

Ocean Surface Topography From Space - Stuff For Kids - Toppy the Satellite welcomes you to his "TOPEX/Poseidon Online Coloring & Activity Book." Through his fun pictures and activities, you can learn all about him, the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite, and what he does.

Oceans and Coasts - NOAA Education - (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)-From the Antarctic to Pacific coral reefs, this site is full of fun links and interactive games about our oceans and coasts.

Planet Protectors Club - Planet Protectors create less waste in the first place! This site has games, activities and reading materials to help save our planet from too much waste.

Protect the Planet Promise - National Zoo - (Smithsonian) - Think about the things you do every day. You can help the planet just by making wise choices. Complete this list, sign the bottom, and post it in your home or classroom as a reminder of your promise to save the planet!

Roofus' Solar and Efficient Neighborhood - Find out how Roofus' Solar Home is energy smart and what makes it run.

Sand and Gravel Program - Kid Connection - Here are several projects and experiments to learn about erosion and sedimentation, and see it in action.

School Yard Geology - (Geological Survey) - Activities and examples of what to look for to turn your schoolyard into a rich geologic experience.

Sci Jinks - (NASA) - Learn about weather, hurricanes, clouds, tides and more. You can even find out about the weather in space.

Sci4Kids - Science is everywhere you look. Learn what scientists do at the Agricultural Research Service. You may be a student today but may already be on your way to a career in science or farming or computers.

Seafloor Mapping - (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - Making pictures of the sea floor is the science of hydrography. Hydro means water; graph means to make a picture of something. Learn more about this amazing task.

Tsunami: Your Questions Answered - (Department of Health and Human Services) - Visit this cool site to learn about Tsunamis - giant sea waves. You will learn how to know when one is coming, why they are so destructive, and if it could happen here.

Water Sense Game - (Environmental Protection Agency) - Move the water-efficiency hero Flow through water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters. Use the information you've learned on this Web site to test your knowledge.

Water Sense Kids - (Environmental Protection Agency) - Do you know how much water a family of four uses every day in the United States? Not 50 gallons, not 100 gallons, but 400 gallons! Fortunately, there are many things we can do to save.

WaterLife: Where Rivers Meet the Sea - (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - An interactive story based on the estuarine environment introduces what the estuary is, its diverse ecosystems, tidal influences, restoration efforts, marine debris, and personal responsibility and care for environment.

Weather - NOAA Education - (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - Natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes affect both sea and land. Take quizzes on thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, winter storms and others. Learn more about weather safety and setting up a family disaster plan.

Weather Room - This page provides general information for kids, parents, and teachers. Elementary school coloring books are available for parents and teachers to print and use for weather education in the classroom or at home.

Why Leaves Changes Color - (Forest Service) - This site explains the basics of how autumn colors happen.

Year of the Ocean - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides information on marine life, threatened and endangered species, facts about the world’s oceans fish, and protecting coral reefs.

Other Resources

Alliance to Save Energy Kids Page - It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, you can help your parents reduce home energy use, which helps save money and the environment. Learn how with fun stories, videos, games, and much more.

Autumn Leaves - BrainPop - Watch this fun animated short that explains why leaves change color in the Fall.

Big Oil Spill - Here’s what kids are asking about the spill - and answers from environmental experts.

BrainPop - Science - BrainPOP's has animated movies created to explain the world around us in an engaging way. There are some FREE movies, but most you have to subscribe to. Kids, make sure to talk this over with your parents.

Climate and Global Change - Earth's climates have changed incredibly during its 4.6 billion year history. Today, climates are warming more rapidly as natural processes are affected by modern global changes caused by humans.

Dive to the Abyss - You have been selected to lead an important dive mission; you must explore the deep sea in a submersible.

Earth 911 - For Students - It’s never to early to learn about the environment. Get schooled in some of the most talked about environmental topics.

Eekoworld - Learn about the environment.

Green Tips - National Geographic Kids - Green Tips are Earth-friendly, simple ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle items that you use.

Handy’s Little Helpers - Learn about the three R’s (recycling, reduction and reuse) and how important they are to the environment. This section also provides information on two very important issues: water conservation and how to dispose of your electronics.

Ice Stories: Dispatches from Polar Scientists - Visitors will enjoy learning about the thoughts and experiences of the scientists working in Antarctica and the Arctic. Just click on the "Check out the dispatches" button. Visitors can learn how penguins function as barometers of climate change, get up close and personal with a smattering of charismatic marine mammals, and learn about the fascinating South Pole Telescope.

Journey to the Deep - Explore the oceans' habitats and encounter an array of marine animals as you venture from a familiar rocky shoreline to the weird waters of the deepest abyss.

Life On the Edge - You are Professor Newton Skylar. You miniaturise yourself and visit different zones along the coast - rocky shore, dunes and sandy beach.

Living in a Green World - Green is a term that many people use to talk about taking care of the planet and not overusing the resources that we all share. If you want to make a difference, the best way to start is to follow these three principles: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Oil Affecting Wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico - National Geographic Kids - The oil that began leaking with the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20th continues to spill into the gulf. This oil spill is now the worst in U.S. history. The spill is taking a heavy toll on wildlife. More than 800 dead animals, including birds, fish, and dolphins, have been found in areas affected by the spill.

Open Ocean - Game - You are a fish. If you want to survive, you need to adapt. Will you live long enough to be the very best?

Tennessee - TVA Kids - Learn all about the Tennessee Valley Authority, or TVA and how you can help protect the environment with this interactive site.

The Greens - A site for kids about looking after the planet.

Water Pollution Guide from the UK - Water covers over 70% of the Earths surface and is a very important resource to people and the environment. With this site from the United Kingdom you can find useful information about the sources of water pollution and how they can be treated.

Page Revised - 7/9/2010