Curated OER
Controlling the Flow of the Colorado River: A Study of Dams
Students research and map the Colorado River and its dams and predict the effects of a dam on an area. They suggest reasons a dam would be built and compare the Colorado River system with other major river systems within the US and...
Curated OER
What Have We Done?
Learners investigate the effect of dams on the ecosystem. In this environmental lesson, students read case studies on the Aswan Dam and the Colorado River Basin and construct a T-chart to compare the effects on the region.
Curated OER
Take Me to the River
Students learn about a different way of life. In this river and dams lesson, students discuss the Hoover Dam. Students then view pictures of the Hoover Dam, discuss the impact of dams, and compare life before and after...
Curated OER
The Grand Canyon
Students act as scientists investigating the damming and experimental flooding of the Colorado River by the Glen Canyon dam that took place in 1996. They write a proposal as to whether or not more experimental flooding should be done on...
Curated OER
Salmon vs. Dams: The Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students use roll playing to discuss the merits of tearing down these dams so that the Elwha River can run free. The activity is presented in the form of a council meeting to encourage students to try to build consensus in finding...
Curated OER
The Grand Canyon
Students investigate how dams help and hurt the ecology of an area. In this Grand Canyon lesson, students research the Glen Canyon Dam and why it flooded in 1996. Students create a pros and cons list about dams and write a...
Curated OER
Salmon Vs. Dams: the Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students role-play a meeting of the Elwha River council in which they present opposing views to council members on hydroelectric power and salmon fisheries resources. They brainstorm possible conflicts between various people in land-use...
Curated OER
Importance of Water
Students complete a KWL chart on what they comprehend about water. They complete a water activity determining how much usable water is available, and they determine the water usage in their households. Students take notes on water and...
Curated OER
Map Your State: Regions of Arizona
Fourth graders define vocabulary and locate physical features on maps. In this mapping lesson, 4th graders explore regions of Arizona through landforms found on topographic maps. Students research the history and culture of...
Curated OER
What's in the Water?
Students examine water data for up to a month and perform tests on the samples.
Curated OER
Who Will Care for the Water?
Students discover how humans impact natural resources. In this environmental lesson, students identify water resources in the local area and construct a T-chart to compare the positive and negative effects humans have on water resources.
Curated OER
The Human Face of Flagstaff
Students make a brochure for Flagstaff, Arizona. In this geography lesson, students look at a map of Arizona and the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce sheet to find natural and human features of the city. They create a brochure describing...
Curated OER
Mapping Roxaboxen
Fourth graders read Roxaboxen and draw a map of the Roxaboxen community. In this language arts and geography instructional activity, 4th graders use specifications given, adding features to the map as described in the book and creating a...
Curated OER
Technology (Post Lab): Utility Companies
Students study physics. In this utility company research instructional activity, students discover how their local utility company charges for electricity. They listen to a presentation and then conduct internet research to find more...
Curated OER
Simple Thermodynamics of Transportation
Students watch videos about various modes of transportation, they examine the energy transformations that occur in each, and they be introduced to the laws of thermodynamics.
Curated OER
Floods: Rising Waters and You
Students will examine how floods work and why they can cause so much damage and destruction. They use a stream table to observe the processes that lead to flooding and the effects of floods on human-made structures. Includes a guide to...
Curated OER
Endangered Species
Students define the terms endangered and threatened. They identify the factors that can cause species to become endangered. They discover how animals are protected by the Endangered Species Act.
Other
The Colorado River
Features basic information on the Colorado River including a map of the states it flows through.
Other
Bureau of Reclamation: Hoover Dam
A wonderful, informative site on the Hoover Dam. Find out how the largest dam of its time came to be in this fascinating story.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dame was viewed as an engineering feat, in the 1930s. This documentary examines the construction and engineering problems that occurred and the questions that arose about the economic and environmental impact this project...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Grand Canyon Geology
Extensive information about the geology of the Grand Canyon. Looks at some principles of geology evident there, forces that have shaped its geological features, how its valleys and canyons were formed, the characteristics of the Colorado...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: The Grand Canyon
For this lesson, learners will learn about the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, the impact it has had on local ecology, and what happens when a dam is opened for controlled flooding. After researching the Glen Canyon Dam controlled...
Kenyon College
Kenyon College: Negative Externalities Bonneville and Glen Canyon Dams
This article examines the impact of the Bonneville Dam and the Glen Canyon Dam, both in the American West, and examines how there has been a negative impact on the surrounding wildlife, peoples, and even Mexico. The article also...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Boulder Canyon Project Act (1928)
Informative site that tells about the act that authorized the building of the Hoover Dam. Read the complete text of the Boulder Canyon Project here.