For a more detailed explanation of this activity, see Bell, R. L., Niess, M. L., & Bell, L. L. (2001). El Niņo did it: Using technology to assess and predict climate trends. Learning and Leading With Technology, 29, 18-26.

The following websites include background information on the El Niņo weather phenomenon:

El Niņo: Online Meteorology Guide
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/eln/home.rxml/

This site an online teaching module from the University of Illinois including information and animated graphics to explain an el Niņo.

What Is an El Niņo?
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/el-nino-story.html

This site, designed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides more detailed explanations and animated graphics to explain an el Niņo and includes additional links for further information.

The Space Place: Whip Up Some El Niņo pudding!
http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/topex_make1.htm

This NASA site is written for kids with simplified explanations. A movie is included to show the progression of the December 1996 to June of 1998 taken from space. Additional links are included on the site along with a recipe for El Niņo pudding. This is a good site for middle level (grades 5-8) students.

The following are articles that may be used as background for claims made in the popular media about El Niņo:

Eastern United States

1. Crittenden, J. (2000, November 5). 'La Nada' blows in for winter - New nickname for pattern may forecast more snow. The Boston Herald, p. 3. Retrieved May 27, 2002, from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database.
   
2. Associated Press. (1998, November 29). Warm El Nino Lurks in Sea, Along With Its Cold Twin. The New York Times, Section 1, p. 40. Retrieved May 27, 2002, from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database.

Central United States

1. Nicholson, B. (2001, August 10). Weather patterns bad news for state. The Bismarck Tribune, p. A9. Retrieved May 27, 2002, from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database.
   
2. Mitchell, S. D. (2002, January, 15). El Nino could mean another mild winter. The Associated Press State & Local Wire, State and Regional. Retrieved May 27, 2002, from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database.
   
3. Johnson, G. (2000, February 4). Recent data suggest that our winters will be getting a lot colder. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, p. A14. Retrieved May 27, 2002, from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database.

Western United States

1. Schoch, D. (2001, April 5). California and the west; climate change linked to decline in amphibians. Los Angeles Times, Metro Desk, p. 3, Home Edition. Retrieved May 27, 2002, from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database.
   
2. Krehbiel, R. (2001, January 7). December weather one for the books. Tulsa World. Retrieved May 27, 2002, from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database.