Curated OER
The Water Cycle and Sources of Pollution
Students make an island that has a construction site on it. They spill siulated pollution and trash on top of the island and then water it to simulate rain. They will observe how the rain washes dirt, sand, and pollution off the island...
Teach Engineering
Things That Matter to Flocculants
How does the dirt get out of your drinking water? A hands-on activity introduces the use of flocculants to help clear solid particles out of water. The plan walks learners through the process of setting up an experiment that controls the...
Curated OER
Keeping our Water Clean
Second graders discuss how our actions impact the quality of water. In this environmental science instructional activity, 2nd graders watch a short film and discuss the problem of polluted water. Students are then divided into groups and...
Curated OER
The Magic of Solar Thermal: How the Sun Can Be Used to Heat Water
Learners are introduced to how the sun is used to heat water. In this solar instructional activity students identify the different types of solar water heating and demonstrate how it works.
Curated OER
Contaminated Drinking Water
Students predict, experiment, and draw conclusions about the safety of drinking water. In this ecology lesson plan, students participate in an experiment to determine if they can taste or see contamination in drinking water. Data is...
Curated OER
Contaminated Drinking Water
Students explore water and determine whether or not it is safe to drink. In this water exploration lesson plan, students are split into groups, to acts as the polluter, taster, and recorder. Students explore by placing different amounts...
Curated OER
Filtering Water to Prevent Pollution
Students explore techniques used to filter water and different pollutants. In this prevention of water pollution lesson plan, students define water pollution and list ways water is polluted. They explore water purification and complete a...
Curated OER
Filtering Water
Students investigate the need for filtered water. In this filtered water lesson, students explore the health hazards posed from consuming unfiltered water. Students construct a water filtration device.
Curated OER
How to Clean Up an Oil Slick
Students explore how an oil spill is contained and cleaned up. They investigate an oil absorbing polymer that is hydrophobic, absorbs up to 19 times its own weight in nonpolar liquids, floats on water, and can be reused or disposed of by...
Curated OER
Cleaning up an oil spill
Small groups complete a science project involving cleaning up an oil spill. In this experiment, pupils use 4 different sorbents to discover which one absorbs the most oil. Afterward, they make a data table.
Curated OER
The Magic School Bus Wet All Over
Students observe the water cycle and experiment with cleaning water. In this hands-on hydrology lesson plan based on a Magic School Bus book, students conduct two experiments to see the how water moves through the water cycle and then...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hand Washing Experiment
An engaging experiment allows scholars to understand why the recommendation is to wash for 20 seconds with soap and water — while making them aware of their own habits!
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Lab 2: Nanocatalysts Clean Your Car Emissions
Surface area certainly surfaces as a variable for chemical reaction rates. Scholars perform an experiment to discover how the size of catalysts affect the rate of a chemical reaction. They record their results in tables and graphs to...
Curated OER
Save That Water
Students investigate water conservation. In this environmental lesson, students brainstorm ways they use water and discuss ways to conserve water. Students illustrate and write about their method of water conservation.
Curated OER
Light and Water
Third graders experiment with coins and water to explore light rays. In this light and water lesson, 3rd graders work in pairs to observe what happens with a coin in water or how it appears based on the density of the water....
Curated OER
Hazardous Chemicals? Not in my Water!
Students reflect on the effects of their actions on the environment. In this community service lesson, students investigate the hazardous quality of products within their homes. Student educate their families and communities about the...
Teach Engineering
Exploring the Lotus Effect
The Lotus Effect ... is it not some kind of yoga pose. In the last installment of a nine-part series, young scientists observe the Lotus Effect on lotus leaves and water-repellent cloths. They observe how motion and damage affect the...
NOAA
It All Runs Downhill
Examine how pollution makes its way into an ocean with help from a model watershed. Scholars use household items to recreate a mini-watershed, equipped with pollutants, that when mixed with rain drain into a model's body of water. After...
American Museum of Natural History
Fascinating Fish
A fish is not just a fish. So many fish in remote places have unique characteristics. Take a trip with an ichthyologist to the Congo River to discover the species of one of the most diverse fish populations in the world. The online...
Curated OER
No Impact Project: Water
Students use the "No Impact Project" to analyze the consumption of water. In this water consumption lesson, students discuss the pros and cons of tap water or bottled water. Students read about chemicals in water and watch a video clip...
Curated OER
Are You Thirsty? The Effects of Pollution on Drinking Water
Discuss the availability of clean, plentiful water and the causes of water pollution. In groups, sixth graders discuss problem-solving methods for keeping water clean. They explore the function of water treatment plants and perform...
Curated OER
Is It Safe To Go In? Water Quality of Bathing Areas in the EU
Students complete an experiment on water to study water quality. In this water quality lesson, students complete a taste test experiment about chemicals in water. Students then study their local water environments and recorded toxins....
Curated OER
Contaminated Drinking Water
Students see if they can tell if our water is safe to drink by looking at it and tasting it. They perform an experiment using salt and vinegar to see when they can tell water has been contaminated.
Curated OER
Contaminated Drinking Water
Students investigate drinking water. In this water activity, students discover if the water we drink is safe by participating in an experiment. Students use water and vinegar to observe how drinking water can be contaminated.