Curated OER
I See a Coyote
Learners role-play coyotes looking for natural resources. In this natural resources lesson, students examine the relationship between animal life and the environment. Learners play a game that demonstrates how natural...
Curated OER
Ecological Succession in Pond Water Cultures
Students collect samples of pond water, dried grass, and soil in a jar. They predict the order of ecological succession in their pond water cultures. They compare their expected results with their observed results.
Curated OER
How Much Is Too Much? How Little Is Too Little?
Students perform a series of experiments which show that plants require nutrients in certain quantities. They also cooperatively read materials on the nutrient requirements of plants, fertilizers, composting, and soil management, and...
Curated OER
Protective Agencies
This rare resource is a brief overview of some of our government protective agencies. There is a slide for each of the following: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Parks Service, Environmental...
Curated OER
Activity #4 Ground Water Model In a Jar
Students devlop a model, which they illustrate a water table and allow for the discussion of common terms and illustrate what those terms mean. They comprehend that a flow rates, removal of contaminants, and the amount of water stored...
Curated OER
Economics -- Third Grade
Third graders read the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax. In groups, they answer questions that are related to economics and distribution of goods. They also identify the environmental issues present in the book and perform a skit in front of the...
Curated OER
Air Quality and Transportation in the Tulsa Area
Students investigate the effects of air pollution. In this environmental instructional activity, students discuss the causes of air pollution and identify how transportation has an effect on the air quality. Students identify other...
Curated OER
Composting
Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...
Rainforest Alliance
Investments in Forest Carbon
One hundred metric tons of CO2 can accumulate in one acre of forest over time—that's a lot of carbon! In the activity, groups of middle school learners determine what makes forests important. They then solidify the concept by using a...
Pennsylvania State University
Learn, Protect, and Promote Water
A hands-on activity helps learners explore the water cycle. After discussing how they use water, classes discuss water pollution and then move into a simulation where 20 pupils move through the water cycle based on description cards.
Rainforest Alliance
My Forest or the Rainforest?
The differences between tropical and temperate rainforests range from animals and flowers to climate and landscapes. Kindergarteners compare and contrast characteristics of their local forest to a tropical rainforest.
Curated OER
Let's Start Growing
Students investigate how a tree grows from a seed. In this plant biology lesson, students use potting soil, tree seeds, and a paper cup to observe seeds growing into plants. Students record observations in their science journals.
Curated OER
Investigative Case - Living in an Alkaline Environment
Pupils are shown many ways in which Mono Lake water and distilled water are different. They demonstrate that the survival of common soil bacteria declines as pH increases. Students examine the behaviors, adaptations, energy transfer,...
Curated OER
Madagascar Adventure
Middle schoolers develop photo essays on Madagascar's environmental challenges. In groups, students research and develop photo essay slide shows to explore the issues of balancing the needs of Madagascar's human population with those of...
Curated OER
Failing Ecosystems: Haiti and the Caribbean
Ninth graders study the impact that climate has on the land. They discuss how deforestation leads to erosion and soil damage and how trees and vegetation help to stabilize the land. They draw a large map of the Caribbean and show Haiti...
Curated OER
Goodbye Honey Buckets
Learners investigate arctic geology and hydrology as well as tundra ecology as they consider options for sewage treatment. Public safety, environmental impact, and issues of construction and engineering be explored.
Curated OER
Going in Cycles: The Life of an Aluminum Can
Students investigate the manufacture of aluminum cans and consider the energy and resources saved when the cans are made from recycled material. They explore the concept of closed-loop recycling using charts, worksheets and discussion.
Curated OER
Water Pollution
Students study four samples of "rain water". They asked to determine the pH of the samples and then to neutralize them. Students are asked to predict any negative effects which might be associated with water having a low pH and to...
Curated OER
Geograophy of Mexico And Central America
Students create a chart comparing the terrain, climate, economy, environmental issues and natural disasters for Mexico and the Central American countries. They view and discuss a video on the region then compile research on the internet.
Curated OER
Don't Trash the Earth
Young scholars experience a hands-on environmental science project. They access about recycling as they collect data on their own family's trash production. Students analyze the data with worksheets, chart the data, and present their...
Curated OER
Energy Is Everywhere
Students determine the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy. They discuss life without energy and where energy comes from before reading an article about the different...
Curated OER
The Value of a Garden
Students will work cooperatively. In this environmental lesson plan, students will start by discussing an article and its questions prior to receiving a handout. There are two versions of the handout depending if your students are AP or...
Curated OER
Oceanography (Rivers and Streams)
Second graders examine the characteristics of streams and rivers. They identify the types of resources lakes, ponds and oceans provide. They ask questions to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
Martha Who?
Students explore how the number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, a range of temperatures, soil composition. They are...