Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems

Issues: states of water on Earth's surface; water management and planning; human and natural factors; climate change; polar ice-caps; atmospheric conditions

Researchers: Mike Stacey

Links:

• Great Lakes Kids
• Environment Canada - Freshwater Facts
• Distribution of Water
• Construct a Watershed
• Home Water Audit
• Water Terminology Quiz
• Free Watersheds Map
• Water Fact Sheets
• How a Tsunami Works
• Rivers vs. Coasts
• Water Efficiency Today
• Sydenham River
• Water to your House

Understanding Life Systems Cells

Issues: cell theory; cell structure and organelles; plant and animal cells; diffusion and osmosis; unicellular organisms

Researchers: David Sankoff, Stephen Scott, Gary Slater

Links:

• NRC Microscope
• Cells Alive
• Plant and Animal Cell Animation
• How Cells Work
• MegaCell game
• Diffusion
• Osmosis
• Microbe Zoo
• Protozoa
• Electron Microscopy

Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action

Issues: different systems; processes and components; work, force and distance; mechanical advantage

Researchers: Andrew Pollard, Stavros Tavoularis

Links:

• Structures Background
• What is mechanical advantage?
• Mechanical advantage animation
• Engineer Girl
• Engineer in Residence
• Structures & Mechanisms
• Amusement Parks
• Science of Cycling
• Science of Hockey

Understanding Matter and Energy: Fluids

Issues: viscosity; mass, volume and density; solids, liquids and gases; compressibility; buoyancy; Pascal's Law

Researchers: Manish Jugroot, Bassam Jubran, Masahiro Kawaji

Links:

• Viscosity Experiments
• Solids and Liquids Animation
• States of Matter Animation
• States of Matter
• Pascal's Law Project
• Fundamentals of Fluids
• Floating Log
• Hydraulic Machines
• Mass, Volume, and Density Quiz