Curated OER
Guetemala's Changing Forest
Eighth graders compare their local ecological zone to the tropical rainforest. In this natural ecology lesson, 8th graders complete an activity about the differences in ecological zones. They compare their biome to the Guatemalan...
Curated OER
Visualizing Succession
Ecosystem change is easier to understand when you use hands-on activities.
Curated OER
Prairie Scavenger Hunt
Middle schoolers take a close look at the prairie environment. They identify common plants and animals of the prairie. In addition, pupils work in teams in order to put together a presentation on a certain aspect of the prairie...
Curated OER
The Fall and Rise of the White-tailed Deer Population: Conservation Success Story?
Pupils analyze the problems that have come along with the conservation movement and the fall and rise of the white tailed deer population. In this conservation lesson plan, students see how important the deer were to the Native Americans...
Moanalua Gardens Foundation
The Mystery of Rapa Nui
What caused the collapse of the environment on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)? Who constructed the Moai? What was their purpose? Class members assume the role of investigators and use evidence drawn from field studies, ships' logs, and...
Curated OER
Something Fishy - Bioaccumulation of Mercury
Young scholars explore the dangers of eating high levels of mercury and how small amounts of mercury in water accumulate in greater quantities in organisms higher in the food chain. They list the health of effects of high levels of...
Curated OER
Wildlife Track Identification
Even though the PowerPoint slides for this lesson are not included, you may find it useful for the wildlife track preservation instructions provided. After demonstrating the steps for making track casts, take your class outdoors to make...
Curated OER
Insect Biology and Ecology: A Primer
Pupils explore insects and closely related organisms. They examine the growth and development of a lady beetle. Students classify insects and organize them. They investigate pest management.
Curated OER
The Salt Water Connection
High schoolers explore the hydrological cycle and oceans. They determine the factors that influence the Pacific Ocean. Students research an organism found in Monterey Bay. They describe the organism's biome and ecological factors that...
Curated OER
Are There Too Many Elk?
Students use information about elk populations in Arizona to make recommendations about population management. In this ecology lesson, students discover the problems associated with having a heard of elk that is too large. After...
Curated OER
Using SWMP Data
Students are introduced to the SWMP system which tracks short-and long-term changes in water. Using this data, they plot and interpret the data on a graph to determine how human activities are lowering the water quality. They also...
Cornell University
Center for Teaching Excellence (Syllabus Template)
Need a model for a college level course syllabus? Here's a good one. The editable template provided by this resource not only indicates key information that should be supplied, but also includes models for how various policies can be...
Curated OER
Plants and Animals
Seventh graders discover the interconnectedness of plants and animals in ecosystems. In groups, they create a food web and discuss the problems when one link of the chain is broken. To end the lesson, they set up a balanced environment...
Curated OER
Photosynethsis....How do we know it's really happening? - Biology Teaching Thesis
Students think of one way to detect photosynthesis in plants besides those ways shown in class. They identify the reaction that occurs during photosynthesis. Students define the difference between an acid and a base. They identify acidic...
Teach Engineering
Designing a Sustainable Guest Village in the Saguaro National Park
Brainstorm ideas to design a sustainable guest village in the Sonoran Desert. The first installment of a nine-part unit teaches young environmental scientists about the basics of the Saguaro National Park and about sustainable design....
Curated OER
Population Biology
Young scholars define the following terms: predation, competition, carrying capacity and population. They can explain the patterns of growth and the limitations of growth. Students explain the difference between density-dependent and...
Curated OER
I See a Coyote
Students role-play coyotes looking for natural resources. In this natural resources lesson, students examine the relationship between animal life and the environment. Students play a game that demonstrates how natural resources affect...
Curated OER
The Salt Water Connection
Students investigate the various factors that influence the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay, California. They watch a video about Monterey Bay and take notes, and conduct research and write a report about a specific organism living in...
Curated OER
Blue Mud Shrimp Mystery
Students explore invasive species on an environment. In this exploratory lesson students hypothesize why shrimp are on the decline and make a brochure or poster showing their results.
Curated OER
The Changing Coral Reef Community Game
Students examine organisms that inhabit the coral reefs and their living requirements. In this coral reef lesson students chart population changes and play a game.
Curated OER
Forest Forensics
Pupils explore forests. In this "forest forensic" lesson students divide into groups and go through the stations using their clues to solve the questions.
Curated OER
Endangered Species Furniture Project
Students work in groups to research an endangered species. They then refinish and paint a piece of furniture and incorporate facts and references about the animal they have researched.
Curated OER
About Abraham Lincoln
Fifth graders complete a variety of activities and exercises as they study the life, policies, and lasting influence of Abraham Lincoln.
Pennsylvania State University
Virtual Nature Trail at Penn State New Kensington: Ecological Succession
Explains what ecological succession is and why it happens. Describes some examples, how it affects humans, and why it does not really stop.