As students investigate such national and global issues as climate change, water shortages, deforestation, endangered species, or shifting tectonic plates, online thematic maps can connect the issues to locations. Often these maps provide supporting data. Here are some sources of thematic maps that can be useful in the science classroom.

The Map Guide
Here is a collection of dozens of links to online maps of all types — physical, political, historical, and weather — from all parts of the globe.

Earth Pulse
In its coverage of conservation themes, National Geographic.com offers related maps showing impacts on oceans, climate, mineral resources, and terrestrial ecoregions.

Geologic Maps
To enable all of us to read geologic maps, the U.S. Geologic Survey published this easy-to-understand online guide.

Astronomy for Kids
The sky as seen from Indianapolis, Indiana, is mapped weekly at this site. Find a tool in the resources section to create your own map by your latitude and longitude or a nearby city name.

AAAS Atlas of Population and Environment
Along with extensive text on the impact of human populations on ecosystems and natural resources, the online atlas contains maps illustrating land use, population density, biodiversity, and more. With free registration you can create a personal copy of the atlas.

How Do Seasonal Temperature Patterns Vary Among Different Regions of the World?
Hands-on experience with recording temperature data on contour and dot maps is available to classrooms using the GLOBE Program.

We Need Your Help

We want and need your ideas, suggestions, and observations. What would you like to know more about? What questions have your students asked? We invite you to share with us and other readers by posting your comments. Please check back often for our newest posts or download the RSS feed for this blog. You can also request email notification when new content is posted (see right navigation bar).

Let us know what you think and tell us how we can serve you better. We want your feedback on all of the NSDL Middle School Portal publications. Email us at msp@msteacher.org.