In this multimedia lesson, students learn about the water cycle. Associated interactive activities include "Global Warming and the Water Cycle," where students explore the interdependent relationships between global warming and the water cycle and "Groundwater Use and Overuse," where students complete a simulation where they are the city water master responsible for managing the water supply to local homes and farms.

Through a literacy connection with Ocean! Waves for all by Stacy McAnulty and Illustrated by David Litchfield, students will engineer a solution to help the oceans and humans maintain balance given constraints.

In this project, students identify common water contaminants and other causes of water pollution. They will then research some of the world's most polluted water hot-spots and devise plans for pollution prevention.

In this lesson, students predict the effects of an oil spill on a marine environment and establish a list of solutions to avoid unnecessary oil pollution.

This publication provides background information on why water quality is important and how it is measured and monitored.

This comprehensive online resource discusses how an ecosystem is affected and begins recovery from an major oil spill. The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound is highlighted as an example.

This quiz tests student knowledge on soil as it relates to agriculture and flood prediction.

This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, outlines how pollution can impact the water cycle and affect out local water supply. The City of Durham has launched a multi-year study to see if a series of rain gardens and cisterns can improve or control storm water runoff. Components of the resource include a video, related text articles, photo gallery, instructions on how to build a rain garden, and an interview with Maverick Raber, City of Durham water quality engineer. Links to these components are provided on the page underthe heading "UNC-TV Media."

In this lesson, students will practice rapid ideation—an important step in design thinking—by brainstorming solutions to issues surrounding global water use and conservation.

This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, describes how researchers at UNCCH-IMS have developed a water testing system, using a genetic technology method, to rapidly test coastal waters which will decrease the time needed to notify the public about contamination. Components of this resource include a video and a related blog article. Links to these components are provided on the page under the heading "UNC-TV Media."

In this interactive module, students learn about wetland ecosystems and how human activities can impact the environment.

This video explores what some communities are doing to put water back into the ground to recharge aquifers. A set of discussion questions and post-viewing activities are provided.

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 8th Grade Science. 

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 8th Grade Science. 

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 8th Grade Science.

Students brainstorm how land is used along a river in their watershed. they arrange pieces representing places along a river from source to mouth, and discuss impacts "downstream" in a watershed.

Students locate the Mayan Riviera on a map, watch a demonstration to understand the concept of groundwater held in underground rivers and aquifers, and discuss pollution in the area.

In this video, students learn how the Tijuana estuary stands as the last barrier between the Pacific Ocean and pollution. Its mix of plants and silt acts as a filter that purifies inland rain and floodwaters before they reach the ocean.

In this virtual resource, students will model the function of a watershed, and apply these concepts to an investigation of how water flows on their school grounds.

The wakelet site features videos demonstrating hands-on activities for students to complete at school in small, socially-distanced settings. Activities may also be adapted for at-home learning. Some activities incorporate an outdoor component, acknowledging the need to balance screen time with green time to support mental health. Tips for taking your students outside can be found here: https://education.eol.org/cnc_materials/TipsForTeachingOutside.pdf

This assessment is meant to be used in conjunction with the lesson "Score One for the Estuaries." In this lesson, students will learn how to mitigate the impacts of climate change through several example projects being implemented at the National Estuarine Research Reserves.