abdomen - in humans and other mammals, the middle part of the body containing the stomach, liver, intestines, pancreas and the spleen
acid rain - pollution from cars, factories, and power plants that mixes with water vapor and falls back to earth as rain
antivenin - a medicine used to counteract the effects of snake bites or poisonous insect bites
arthritis - a painful swelling and stiffness of the joints in the body
axis - a real or imaginary line around which an object turns: The earth turns on its axis.
altitude - height; the vertical distance
anemometer - an instrument that measures the wind's speed or force
atmosphere - all of the air that surrounds the earth
atom - the smallest particle of a element: Elements such as hydrogen and oxygen are made up of tiny particles called atoms.
balance - in harmony; to be equal and stable
barometer - an instrument used for measuring air pressure
biosolids - the nutrient-rich organic product of waste water treatment which can be recycled as fertilizer
camouflage - a natural disguise, mask or coloring used to blend with or hide in one's surroundings
carbon dioxide - a colorless and odorless gas made of carbon and oxygen that cannot be burned: Humans and animals breathe out carbon dioxide which is used by plants in photosynthesis.
carbon monoxide - a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas created when material containing carbon is not burned completely: Automobile exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide.
carnivorous - (a living thing) that eats flesh or meat
(chlorofluorocarbons) - a combination of organic compounds, including carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine, used in refrigeration and in aerosol cans
climate - the weather pattern in an area or region that includes the temperature, rainfall, and wind
co-habitat - to share or live together
cold-blooded - having a body temperature that changes according to the surrounding environment
collected - gathered and brought together in one place
compost - a mixture of decaying organic matter, such as fruits, vegetables, leaves and grass, used to enrich the soil and help plants grow
conceived - to form an idea, plan or image
condensation - the process by which water vapor or gas changes into a liquid
conduct - to act as a carrier or transmitter
conserve - to keep from waste, loss or harm; to save
contribute - to give or supply
convection current - in the creation of wind, a cycling movement of warm, light air that replaces cool, heavy air
corrosive - a substance having the ability to cause harmful effects on life and property
corrugated - folded or shaped into wavy ridges or folds: Many storage boxes are made of corrugated board.
current - a running or flowing, as in water, air or electricity
cycle of nature - a series of events in nature that occur on a regular basis
carbon - a nonmetallic element found in nature: Carbon is found in a nearly pure state in diamonds and graphite, or as part of coal and petroleum.
combustible - capable of catching fire; easily burned
conservation - to preserve or protect something; to prevent the harm or destruction of natural resources
contaminated - polluted; soiled; infected
dependence - to rely on; to count on
destined - intended; bound for
discharged - the release of electrical energy, as in the release of electricity from a cloud in the form of lightning during a thunderstorm
decomposing - decaying; rotting
dew point - the temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor
E. coli - bacteria that is normally found in the intestines of humans and other vertebrates: Some forms of
E. coli are responsible for food poisoning.
earthquake - the unexpected moving of the earth's crust that is caused by the shifting of rocks or volcanic activity just beneath the surface of the earth
ecosystem - a community of plants, animals, insects and bacteria that interact with each other to create a balanced living system
emitting - to release or send out
endangered - in danger of dying out
environment - the surroundings; the condition of the air, water, land and the living organisms that inhabit it
environmental - having to do with the surroundings, including all living and non-living factors
- very long periods of time
erosion - the wearing away of rock or soil by water, wind, and other natural forces
evaporate - the process of changing liquid into vapor or gas
evolution - the natural process by which living things develop and change over a long period of time
exhaust - the release of fumes from gasoline burning engines
extinct - no longer living or existing: Dinosaurs are extinct animals.
extinction - to put an end to; destroy; die out
extinguish - to put out: The fire fighter will extinguish the fire with water.
ecology - the study of the relationships of living things and their environment
ecologist - a person that studies the relationships between living things and their environment
element - a substance that consists of atoms of only one kind and cannot be broken down into simpler substances
equator - an imaginary circle around the earth which is an equal distance from the north pole and the south pole, and divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere
evacuation - the act of removing people or living things from a place of danger
exotic - different or unusual: The exotic parrot came from South America.
extinguisher - a device used to put out a fire
Fahrenheit - the scale that measures 32° as the freezing point of water and 212° as the boiling point of water
fertilizer - substances that are added to the soil to help plants grow
flammable - having the ability to burn easily and rapidly
fossil fuel - organic substances found in the earth that are burned and used for fuel: Coal, oil and natural gas are fossil fuels.
front - (in terms of weather) the point where a mass of advancing cold air meets a mass of advancing warm air
generate - to produce
glaucoma - a disease of the eye caused by too much fluid in the eyeball: Glaucoma can lead to loss of sight.
greenery - green plants and/or leaves
greenhouse - a glass building used for growing plants that need warm temperatures
guardian - a person who watches over or protects
global warming - the rise in the average temperature of the earth as the upper atmosphere traps increasing amounts of heat
greenhouse effect - the warming that occurs when heat stays trapped near the earth instead of moving out into space
habitat - the environment where an animal or a plant is adapted to living
- to be very strong and full of energy
harnessed - directed or brought under control for use: The sun's energy is harnessed by solar panels and used to heat homes.
- a plant that can be used as a medicine or as a seasoning in food
high pressure - as it relates to the creation of wind and weather, having a high barometric pressure : High barometric pressure indicates calm weather.
horizontal/horizontally - to be flat or level
humus - an organic substance consisting of decaying plant or animal material that is used to help plants grow
hydrocarbon - an organic chemical mixture that contains only carbon and hydrogen: Hydrocarbons are known to contribute to air pollution.
hazardous - dangerous
hazardous waste - any waste products from homes, communities, agriculture or industry that are dangerous to people, animals or the environment
hydrogen - the simplest and lightest of all chemical elements: Water is made up of the element of hydrogen and the element of oxygen.
hygrometer - an instrument that measures the humidity of the atmosphere
imagination - the act of creating new ideas or forming images in the mind
imbalance - a lack of balance, harmony or equality
impart - to share or give; to make others aware of
inhabitants - a person or animal who lives in a specific area: Bears are inhabitants of the forest.
innovation - to come up with something new and different
intensity - having great power and strength
inorganic - made from matter that does not come from a plant or animal
insulation - material that insulates or prevents the transfer of electricity, heat or sound
kilowatt - a unit of power equal to 1000 watts
kilowatt hour - the amount of energy consumed by using one kilowatt for one hour
landfill - an area of land where garbage and waste is taken and buried
leachate - a water-like substance that is created when water mixes with garbage and contaminated waste
pressure - as it relates to the creation of wind and weather, having a low barometric pressure: Low pressure can indicate windy weather.
membrane - the thin and flexible layers of tissue that line, cover, or connect parts of the body
mesosphere - the portion of the atmosphere that is about 10 - 50 miles above the earth's surface: Most the ozone is created in the mesosphere.
meteorite - stone or metal from outer space that passes through the atmosphere and falls to earth
minerals - a natural substance found while mining or digging in the earth that is neither animal or plant
mode - a method; a way of doing something: Bicycles are a mode of transportation.
molecules - a small particle; the smallest part of an element
mulch - a mixture of leaves and straw used to protect plants from the cold or to keep the soil moist
meteorology - the study of the atmosphere, weather and weather forecasting
meteorologist - a person who studies the atmosphere, weather and weather forecasting
molecule - two or more atoms chemically combined together
molt - to shed hair, feathers, horns or outer skins
natural resources - supplied by nature and used by humans such as water, land, oil, wood, and coal: Natural resources are very valuable and should be used with care.
nitrogen - a colorless, tasteless, odorless gaseous element that makes up the largest part of the earth's
atmosphere
nitrogen oxides - produced by the burning of fuels; a primary source of pollution and acid rain
nocturnal - active or happening in the night
non-toxic - not harmful or poisonous
non-renewable - not having the ability to be replaced once used
nutrients - nourishing substances that are consumed for growth and health: Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are nutrients that provide energy.
nutrition - the process by which a person, animal, or plant obtains and uses food
naturalist - a person who studies nature, natural objects and natural history
nonpoisonous - not harmful; does not contain poison or venom
nourishment - food; the act of feeding or promoting growth: Fruits and vegetables provide nourishment for your body.
orbit - the path of one heavenly body circling or revolving around another: The earth orbits around the sun.
oxygen - a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that forms about one fifth of the air: Plants and animals need oxygen to live.
oxygen cycle - the movement of oxygen between the atmosphere and living things
ozone - a form of oxygen with a strong odor that is produced by electricity
ozone layer - a special kind of oxygen that protects the earth from harmful radiation
organic -related to living things; gotten from plants and animals
particles - small specks; little pieces
pesticides - chemicals used to kill pests like insects
petroglyphs - images that have been carved or pecked onto rock
petroleum - a dark, oily liquid that is found below the earth's surface: Petroleum is used for making gasoline.
philosophy - the study of different people's ideas about the universe
phosphorus - a member of the nitrogen family: Phosphorus is used to make fertilizers, laundry soaps and matches.
photosynthesis - a process by which green plants use water, carbon dioxide and energy from the sun to make food
pictographs - pictures that have been painted onto rock
poison - a substance that is dangerous to swallow or breath
pollution - to make dirty or unclean
potassium - a silver-white element that helps humans, animals and plants grow: Potassium is used to make fertilizers and soaps.
precious - something of great value
prehistoric - the time before history was written down: Dinosaurs were prehistoric animals.
pressure - the action of force or weight
prey - an animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food
pruning - to trim or cut unwanted branches from a tree or bush
pulp - a soft, wet material made from wood that is used to produce paper
plasma - the fluid part of blood
pollutant - any substance that contaminates or dirties the air, land or water
prevention - the act of stopping something: The prevention of fires is an important part of home safety.
recycle - to process materials such as paper, plastics, glass and aluminum so they can be used again
reduce - to lower; to make less
renewable - to replace; to make new
replacement - to use one thing in place of another
reptiles - animals that are cold-blooded and usually have scaly skin such as snakes or lizards
reuse - to use again
sanitary - to make clean; to keep free of disease or germs
sanitary landfill - a special garbage disposal system that protects the environment by keeping the waste and leachate in the ground within the landfill
seismic - caused by an earthquake
sensitive - easily affected or hurt: Some plants are sensitive to heat.
sleuth - detective
solar – relating to the sun: Solar energy comes from the sun.
species - groups of plants or animals that have common characteristics and can interbreed
star - any heavenly body, except the moon, that shines and looks like a point of light in the night sky
static electricity - electricity in the air which is produced by charged bodies, like electrical storms
stratosphere - the portion of the atmosphere that is about 7 to 40 miles above the earth's surface
substances - material; what something is made of
sedimentary - a type of rock that forms as materials like sand or stones are deposited in seas and lakes and settle to the bottom: There are many types of sedimentary rocks including sandstone, shale, chalk and coal.
sulfur - a nonmetallic element that exists in many forms including yellow crystals: Sulfur is used to make medicines, rubber, matches, chemicals and many other products.
talc - a smooth and soft mineral found in the earth: Talc is used to make chalk.
teem - filled with: The stream was teeming with fish.
thermosphere - the upper atmosphere where temperature increases with altitude
threatened - in danger of harm
transportation - to carry from place to place: Buses and subways are forms of public transportation.
tree canopy - the tallest trees that provide the leafy covering of the forest
troposhere - the portion of the atmosphere that is between the earth and the stratosphere, about 13 miles above the earth's surface
tsunamis - a giant sea wave
temperature - the degree of hotness or coldness as measured on a thermometer
thermometer - an instrument used to measure temperature
toxic - poison
ultraviolet light - rays that can be found in sunlight
venom - poison that comes from certain creatures like snakes and spiders
vertically - straight up and down
vibrating - quickly moving back and forth
virtual – appearing real, but not actual
vitamins - substances that are important for growth and good nutrition: Vitamins are found in many foods including fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
volcanic eruptions - steam, ash, and hot, molten rock bursting from an opening in the earth's crust
vapor - a substance in gas form as in oil vapors or water vapors: Water vapors form as the sun heats lakes and oceans.
wanderlust - the desire to roam from place to place
water vapors - water in its gaseous phase: Water vapors form when water changes from a liquid to a gas.
wavelength - the distance from a specific point on one wave to the same point on the next wave
water cycle - the circulation of water as it passes through the environment by evaporation into the air, condensation in the clouds, precipitation in rain or snow, and finally back into the air again; also called hydrologic cycle
watt - a unit of power; the rate at which electrical work is done