Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Sea and Ice Salinity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the effects of salinity on the formation of sea ice, and whether salt water freezes more quickly or more slowly than fresh water.
Handout
Other

University of Texas at Dallas: Why Is the Sea Salty?

For Students 9th - 10th
A clear and concise explanation of why some of the earth's waters are salty and others are not.
Lesson Plan
Other

Nanoos: What's a Water Column Profile? [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan helps students discover the relationship between temperature, salinity, and density in coastal marine waters. Students access and retrieve water column profile data from the NANOOS and/or the WA Department of Ecology's...
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Stuff to Do: Density of Salty Water

For Students 3rd - 5th
An experiment to test what happens when ocean water hits a freshwater estuary. Each step is demonstrated with photographs and the difference between salinity and density is explained.
Handout
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Zoom School: Oceans

For Students 3rd - 8th
Find out why the oceans are blue and what causes waves by clicking here. There is a table of information about the four oceans as well as interesting facts on waves, salinity, and tides.
Handout
University of California

University of California: Seawater Density & Salinity [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the properties of seawater and the variations depending on its location, e.g., near a shoreline, in an estuary, or as sea ice. Discusses the instruments scientists use to measure the density of water and explains other...
Website
Other

Saltland Genie: Finding Solutions for Saltland

For Students 9th - 10th
Managing dryland salinity and its results on farmers, farm advisers, catchment managers and researchers/students. Guided information organized in 7 specific units.
Lesson Plan
NOAA

Noaa: Ocean Explorer: Hot, Cold, Fresh and Salty

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students simulate ocean water characteristics in order to recognize that the effects of salinity and temperature are the drivers of thermohaline circulation.
Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: "Thirsty? How 'Bout Seawater?"

For Students 3rd - 8th
This U.S. Geological Survey website explains the desalinization method used by some communities to change sea water into drinking water. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Water Science for Schools Uses of Saline Water

For Students 3rd - 8th
This U.S. Geological Survey website explains a variety of uses for saline water. Pie graphs and bar graphs are used to illustrate the various uses. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
Website
Other

Planet Ark: World Environmental News

For Students 9th - 10th
Welcome to Planet Ark's daily Reuters World Environment News - the most comprehensive source of environmental news on the Net. To read previous news stories, please use the search engine below to find stories relating to any...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Saltwater Tester

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explore circuits and the flow of electricity. Create a saltwater tester using a battery and electrical buzzer.
Website
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Earth's Oceans

For Students 4th - 6th
Oceans contain 97% of the water on the Earth and are home to a huge number of living creatures. View an informative slideshow of the ocean and its inhabitants and then test yourself on what you learned.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Seawater Chemistry Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about the composition of ocean water. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.