This environmental geology resource identifies the significance of our land's surface water. Review the sources of water and how they are processed and used.

Visit the U.S. Geological Survey's website for a wide variety of information on water. Content includes data on water quality, water use, acid rain, among others; publications; information on water resource programs; maps; information on...

The USGS explains the definition of a river and how a river is supplied with water. Included is a cross section of a river. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.

Students observe and investigate why water has a strong surface tension.

This hands-on activity explores five different forms of erosion (chemical, water, wind, glacier and temperature). Students rotate through stations and model each type of erosion on rocks, soils and minerals. The students record their...

A student demonstration which illustrates that rotating water has a curved surface called a parabola.

Make Earth's climate livable by adding the right amount of air, water, and clouds to its surface and atmosphere.

Explains the role of surface tension in a liquid and how oil can be used to keep water from boiling over.

Students learn about and experiment with the concept of surface tension. How can a paper clip "float" on top of water? How can a paper boat be powered by soap in water? How do water striders "walk" on top of water? Why do engineers care...

Watch Scientist Joe fashion art out of water, paint, and surface tension. Links to video of the experiment.

Explains what is meant by the deposition of sediments by wind and water and provides examples of the resulting landforms.

Students identify the watershed they live in and study the pathway of surface runoff which ultimately becomes the source of water used at home,

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Wind picks up water and forms ocean waves that travel along the surface.

Groundwater is one of the largest sources of drinking water, so environmental engineers need to understand groundwater flow in order to tap into this important resource. Environmental engineers also study groundwater to predict where...

In this activity, students investigate the simulated use of solid rocket fuel by using an antacid tablet. Students observe the effect that surface area and temperature has on chemical reactions. Also, students compare the reaction time...

Students simulate a sinkhole, and discover the geological catalysts that happen beofore sinkholes occur.

In this activity, students learn about ocean currents and the difference between salt and fresh water. They use colored ice cubes to see how cold and warm water mix and how this mixing causes currents. Also, students learn how surface...

An air mass forms when the air over a large region of Earth sits in one place for many days. The air gradually takes on the characteristics of the land or water below it. Where Earth's surface is cold, the air becomes cold. Where Earth's...

Students are challenged to create a submarine that will dive down through the water and come back to the surface. This site includes the challenge, tips, a lesson plan, and a place for students to document their engineering design process.

Read how freshwater moving across the surface of the Earth can become polluted and bad for the environment. Create a model that shows how water can become polluted as it flows downhill.

This tutorial by Bill Nye explains how to create a tool for looking through the surface of water without being thwarted by reflections.

Making your own bubble solution is fun, but sometimes the bubbles don't seem to work as well as the solutions you buy in the store. In this experiment you can test if adding corn syrup or glycerin to your bubble solution will make it...

Science Bob presents instructions for a science demonstration of how to build a soap-powered model boat using common supplies with information on how it works.