Chicago Botanic Garden
Greenhouse Gas Emissions — Natural and Human Causes
What impact do humans have on greenhouse gas emissions? What are the natural causes of these gasses? Thanks to the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide eats away at the earth's atmosphere with the intensified help of humans. Young scientists...
Polar Trec
Bioaccumulation of Toxins
In 2015, Peter Cook found that sea lions with high levels of exposure to toxins suffered permanent brain damage if they survived at all. Scholars learn about the accumulation of toxins at various levels of the food chain. Using...
NOAA
The Incredible Carbon Journey: Play the Carbon Journey Game
Class members explore the carbon cycle in the final installment of the 10-part Discover Your Changing World series. They play a simulation game where they walk through the steps carbon takes as it cycles through the different layers of...
Learning Games Lab
Nitrogen in Feed
Knowing what farmers are feeding livestock is just smart business. A WebQuest lesson helps learners build an understanding of the relationship between amino acids, nitrogen, and protein. With interactive instruction, scholars practice...
Curated OER
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Eleven slides are used in this PowerPoint to present how nuclear magnetic resonance works and to give learners an opportunity to interpret examples of nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Ample information is provided, so this is a...
Science 4 Inquiry
Enzymes in Action
Enzymes play a role in almost every function in the human body. Scholars explore three variables related to the use of enzymes. They observe a catalase reaction, experiment with substrates, and examine reactions rates.
Curated OER
Industrialization of the American Landscape - Major Project
Students consider the role of industry on the American landscape from a variety of perspectives. They investigate a simulated case study. They investigate a chemical spill catastrophe. Students write an informative pamphlet to assist...
Curated OER
Dose-Response Relationship
Young scholars complete their observations of germinating seeds. They create a graph showing all of their data and develop a dose-response curve. They compare their data with other groups and analyze the curves.
Curated OER
Toxicology 2: Finding the Toxic Dose
Students brainstorm with group partners to decide upon a chemical they would like to test, and outline a procedure for their investigation. They then present in groups their ideas to the rest of the class as well as the chemical they...
Curated OER
DNA, Protein Synthesis and Mutations
Tenth graders investigate the chemical composition of DNA and RNA and how they work together to synthesize protein. They discover genetic codes, gene chromosome theory, and how the environment influences our appearance.
Curated OER
Life is Weird!
Young scholars describe major features of cold seep communities, and list at least five organisms typical of these communities. They infer probable trophic relationships among organisms typical of cold-seep communities and the...
Curated OER
Why Eat Organic?
Ninth graders explore the concept of organic eating. For this environmental stewardship lesson, 9th graders compare and contrast organic foods with conventional foods and discuss the benefits of eating organic foods.
Curated OER
Defining Hazardous Waste
Students examine the relationship between hazardous substances and hazardous waste. They identify toxic chemicals and how they are disposed of. They work together to answer questions about how they are improperly used.
Curated OER
Candy Chemosynthesis
Students explain chemosynthesis and photosynthesis using candy. In this chemosynthesis lesson, students work cooperatively to create a visual explanation of the chemical equations of photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.
Curated OER
Where Do All the Toxins Go?
Students demonstrate how chemicals accumulate in fish fat. They study path ways of toxins in the fish's body and ways to prepare fish to avoid consuming the toxins. They examine U.S. and Canada regulations to protect the environment.
Curated OER
Bhopal - Runaway Reaction
Students research and study the disaster of Bhopal to grasp the essential concept of controlling chemical reactions. They explain how the Bhopal disaster might have been prevented based upon their knowledge of factors affecting the rate...
Curated OER
Not So Neutral Views
Students explore ways to use indicators to distinguish between acids and bases. They conduct an experiment to model and discuss the harmful effect of acid rain in our living and non-living environment.
Curated OER
The Dose makes the Poison
Students investigate the effect of a chemical (they choose) on the germination of seeds. They calculate % chemical concentrations in water, form a hypothesis, and discuss the ethics of using animals in biomedical research.
Curated OER
Man's Struggle for Environmental Preservation
High schoolers examine the way all living things are connected to one another. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they analyze the chemical processes through the biosphere and explain the role of energy. They also...
Curated OER
Nutrition: It's In Your Hands
Fourth graders use this instructional activity to focus on their health, nutrition and the state of the environment. In groups, they examine the various types of land, water and air pollutants and compare and contrast a food chain with...
Curated OER
Acid Rain And Plants
Students observe the effects of acid rain on plants. They simulate an experiment using vinegar or lemon water. They observe the impact of acids on plants and recognize how acid rain can affect the environment. They examine their plants...
Curated OER
Gallery Walk Questions about Energy and Material Cycles
Students state the physical, chemical or biological processes associated with these environments: Pelagic ocean zone, California coat Cave, Indiana Barrier island beach, North Carolina Sand dune, Dunes National Park, Colorado Wetland and...
Curated OER
Squirrel Islands
In this adaptations worksheet, learners read about 3 species that have changed over time to adapt to their environment. Students design a squirrel that has adapted to an island habitat that learners are assigned. They describe the...
Curated OER
Make it a habitat
Students consider the adaptation of life forms through natural selection to fill various niches and accommodate changing environmental conditions. They select an ecosystem and conduct research to provide as much detailed information as...