Curated OER
Mystery Spill
Learners investigate the cause of birds dying in Monterey Bay. In this scientific research lesson plan, students use various resources, scientific investigations, and vector analysis to solve an environmental mystery.
Curated OER
Chesapeake Bay Population Studies
Students determine how to use a quarter meter quadrant to find population density, relative density, frequency and how to calculate a diversity index while participating in a virtual field trip. They study how to establish a Correlation...
Curated OER
World Geography: Postcard from the Rim
High schoolers are able to identify the areas of the world that are affected by arsenic contamination of the water supply. They are able to describe the ways in which various societies deal with the problem of arsenic contamination. ...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Lab: Acid Rain
Step into Dirtmeister's Science Lab as he sets out to answer the challenge question: "How does acid rain affect an ecosystem?" Learn about ecosystems, make your predictions and then do the experiment.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Ecology Lab
Create the parameters of your own ecosystem by choosing which producers and consumers live there. Visualize how the food web operates and species populations change. This simulator mimics the food web within a typical ecosystem and gives...
Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy: Nature Lab
These wonderful virtual field trips allow students to explore a coastal rain forest or the coral reefs in the Dominican Republic, and so much more.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Lab 7: Nitrates and Phosphates and Algae, Oh My!
A lab experiment, in a series of experiments, that investigates fisheries. In this lab, students test the effects of fertilizers and other pollutants on a model ecosystem. Students also examine 2 years of ocean color (chlorophyll...
Other
The Amazing World of Science With Mr. Green: Introduction to the Atmosphere
This teacher website provides a comprehensive lesson unit on the structure of Earth's atmosphere and how it sustains and impacts life on Earth and its ecosystems. Includes labeled diagrams, student worksheets, a slideshow, flashcards,...
University of California
University of California Berkeley: Ecosystem Equilibrium
A simulator reviewing over the concepts of ecosystem equilibrium.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Ecology Lab
Build your own ecosystem, and explore the effects of these interrelationships.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Duckweed Bioassay
This lab was designed with the intent to mimic the effect fertilizers can have on plants in a lake or pond ecosystem. Learners determine the effect different fertilizer concentrations have on the growth rate of duckweed plants, as...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Unit 9: Biodiversity Decline
This is an extensive learning module on biodiversity and its decline. It looks at ways biodiversity is threatened, the possibility of another mass extinction, the causes and consequences of habitat loss, factors that drive biodiversity...
Other
Lehigh University: Land Use Change
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school students centered on how human activities affect environmental changes related to land use. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about today's land use and how...
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Habitat Feature: Making Mud
Find out how mud puddles in a backyard ecosystem make for a welcome habitat for many species.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Climate and Habitat: What They Have to Do With Each Other
Find out what climate and habitat have to do with each other as it relates to the diversity of an ecosystem.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Pavement or Gravel
Find out how gravel and pavement can be beneficial to a backyard ecosystem.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Planning Tool: Understanding How Actions Are Awarded
With this Habitat Network planning tool, set goals, complete action steps, and reach community outcomes for a more diverse ecosystem.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Habitat Feature: Logs
Evaluate the importance of a fallen tree in a forest ecosystem.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Native Trees and Shrubs
Find out why vegetation such as trees and shrubs play important roles in ecosystems.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Habitat Feature: Milkweeds
Find out how milkweed plants foster habitat diversity in a backyard ecosystem.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Encouraging Beneficial Insects Pays Off
Find out why insects are an excellent sign of a healthy ecosystem, as they play a vital ecological role.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Green Roofs
Find out how green roofs can benefit the ecosystem and wildlife diversity.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Forest
Find out how the variety of different forest ecosystems across the globe determine the bird diversity in each.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Wildlife Habitat Category in the Groups Data Visualization
Habitat Network has combined all the vegetatively-complex habitat polygons into categories here.