Center Science Education
Feeling the Heat
What is an urban heat island? Middle school meteorologists find out by comparing temperatures at different locations on campus. They relate their findings to what might be happening in a concrete jungle and how it impacts local weather....
SF Environment
Pre-School Composting and Recycling!
You can never be too young to get involved in composting or recycling. Here is a lesson that has been made for the very littlest learners and it's all about the importance of conservation. They'll sort compostable and recyclable objects,...
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Feeling the Heat
Pupils record temperatures at different locations around campus. They examine the results and draw conclusions about how materials and colors affect the amount of heat produced. They also analyze Los Angeles' temperature records over a...
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Rainforest Rescue
Students explore threats to diversity in the Central African rainforest. They use a guided website to research animals that are threatened with extinction, examine human uses of the rainforest and think about what they can do to help...
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Energy Crossword Puzzle
In this energy crossword worksheet, students read 36 clues pertaining to energy conservation. Students fit their answers in a crossword puzzle. There is no word bank.
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GAURI AND PRITHVI: THE SUB-CONTINENT GOES NUCLEAR
Students write short papers on the background of the Pakistani missile called Gauri, named for one of the first Afghan military invaders of India in 11th century, Prithvi is named for Hindu general who fought Muslim invaders, Agni (Hindu...
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Paper Makers
Students make recycled paper out of scrap paper, water, and leaves. In this natural resources lesson plan, students learn about conservation of the forest and how we can use recycled paper to fuel our paper supply.
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State of the Planet's Wildlife
Students view and discuss a video about the challenges facing wildlife on the planet Earth. They define key terms, watch the video, and answer discussion questions about the film.
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Spring Has Sprung
Spring lesson plan ideas can allow students and teachers a chance to use the outdoors as a classroom and a source of study topics.
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Alaska the 'Poster State" For Climate Concerns
Students read an article on Alaska and its climate concerns. In this research lesson students create a poster that contrasts Alaska then and now that pertains to climate change.
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Earth Day - Bursting Beans
Students fill jars with dried beans and water, cover the jars, and wait to see what happens in this excellent Science experiment ideal for Earth Day (April 22nd). Emphasis is placed on discovering the reactions of seeds to water.
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Walden the Ballad of Thoreau
Students role play to become familiar with the life of Thoreau. In this Thoreau lesson plan, students view a video of the Walden play about Thoreau. Students perform and promote the play as a school event.
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Re: Forest Station
Young scholars read an online article to explore rainforests of the world starting with the Barro Colorado reserve in the Panama Canal. They participate in a mock international summit about rainforest conservation issues.
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Acid Rain Keeps Falling On My Head
Students measure the pH of local rain water. Students map the location of the collected rain water according to pH levels.
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Acid Rain Keeps Falling on My Head
Students examine the pH level of rain water in their local community. They locate each location on a map. They analyze the data and draw conclusions.
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The Web of Life
Young scholars describe the importance of having a balance ecosystem. After a brief lecture, students give an explanation of the properties of an ecosystem. They create a web, using yarn which shows how the various members of the...
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Tornadoes
In this tornadoes worksheet, students answer multiple choice questions about tornadoes. Students answer 6 questions about tornadoes.
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Weather & Climate
Sixth graders differentiate weather and climate. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders complete a KWL chart about the two. They complete a worksheet by identifying whether a certain statement describes weather or climate.
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Chasing El Nino
In this El Nino learning exercise, students review this specific change in the climate cycle by completing 20 short answer questions.
Climate Literacy
Clean: It's Time to Tell the Story About Buds, Leaves and Global Warming
In this activity, students explore how, in New England, the timing of color change and leaf drop of deciduous trees is changing.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Tree House Weather Kids: Seasons and Temperature: Greenhouse Effect
Animated resource helps young researchers understand what global warming and the greenhouse effect mean.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Prehistoric Climate Change and Why It Matters Today
In a lesson in this issue of Smithsonian in Your Classroom, students do the work of a team of paleontologists studying a time of rising carbon dioxide and rapid global warming during the Eocene epoch. By examining fossils of tree leaves,...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Science Explorations: Kids' Environment Report Card
Cast your vote on the important environmental issues. Associated with each issue, there are at least three links to sites which can further your understanding of the issue. To encourage others to respect the environment, you can also...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Networked Beauty of Forests
Deforestation causes more greenhouse gas emissions than all trains, planes and automobiles combined. Suzanne Simard examines how the complex, symbiotic networks of our forests mimic our own neural and social networks- and how those...