Polar Trec
Drawing Diatoms like Ernst Haeckel
Why do scientists rely on drawings rather than just photographs of their research studies? The lesson plan introduces drawings of microscopic organisms and the importance of accuracy. Young artists draw organisms and learn why focus and...
Curated OER
Remote Sensing
Learners research the Earth's ocean systems. They examine the impact of global warming on the oceans and the world as a whole.
Curated OER
A Solar Project
High schoolers make predictions about the global temperature of the earth and to see how this is dependent upon a number of variables. Students visualize how changing parameters can impact the global temperature of the earth.
Curated OER
Activism or Slacktivism? The "Stop Kony" Campaign as a Teachable Moment
Engage your learners in global events. The makers of the film Invisible Children began the Kony 2012 Campaign to bring awareness to the Lord's Resistance Army. You can show your class the video Kony 2012 and spark discussion with the...
Curated OER
National Tragedy, Global Response
Students explore how different people on local, national and international levels respond to a destructive natural disaster and the needs of its victims and how various facets of the media cover such an event. The August 1999 earthquake...
Curated OER
Science and Values: Using Science to Shape Our Future
Students explore and discuss the link between values and science. They read several articles on such topics as global warming, cloning, genetically modified crops and animal testing and then identify the subjective aspect of science in...
Curated OER
Glacier Presentations
Young scholars research news articles relating to global climate change. In this earth science lesson, students create a news broadcast using the information they gathered. They present this in class and each student gives their peer...
Curated OER
Altruism: Meeting Society's Needs
Students study society's needs and altruism within communities. For this altruism lesson, students identify and categorize the basic needs that human beings have and define altruism. Students complete research on altruistic organizations...
Curated OER
Odyssey 2050
Students view and respond to The Odyssey 2050 film. In this climate change lesson, students view the film and discuss ways to take action to stop global warming. Students complete several activities prior, during, and concluding the film.
Curated OER
Climate Change
Students brainstorm types of weather present threats to the world, specifically climate change and the environment. In this climate change instructional activity, students complete and discuss a set of worksheets about "going green,"...
Curated OER
Why is the Average Temperature Greater on Venus than on Mercury?
Students examine the reasons why the temperature is higher on Venus than on Mercury. In groups, they analzye both planet's atmospheres and determine the rate of global warming on each. They use the internet to research the planets in...
Curated OER
What are the Challenges?
Students discuss energy. In this energy challenges lesson, students read about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Comprehension questions from the reading are provided.
WK Kellogg Biological Station
N2O: It’s No Laughing Matter!
While the layout of the lesson plan is not very detailed and the link to the PowerPoint is no longer valid, there are some great exercises to examine the role of nitrous oxide in the environment. For middle level learners, the resource...
Curated OER
Power Problem
Students complete an electricity activity to learn about power outages, insurance, and weather preparation. Students use the worksheet 'Power Problem Work Sheet' and use the 'Global Grocery List Project price list for the U.S.' to...
Curated OER
Hot Stuff!
Students observe different demonstrations on the greenhouse effect. They build their own models to show the phenomenon. They discus the role of greenhouse gases on global warming.
Curated OER
Climate And the Greenhouse Effect
Students demonstrate the greenhouse effect. They recognize that relatively small changes to our environment can stimulate significant climate changes. They determine that the "scientific method" is a process of testing hypotheses and...
Curated OER
How Many Is Too Many?
Students explore the population explosion. They view a video depicting the exponential growth of human population. Students research the internet to project future population data. They perform hands-on, multimedia activities to study...
Curated OER
Loss of Wetlands: Subsidence
Students observe subsidence and the effect it has on wetlands with a classroom demonstration. They think about the impact of global warming and the sea level and how it affects the marsh.
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,...
Curated OER
Can Peace Prevail?
Students examine terrorist attacks in Amman, Jordan, and consider how events like these affect the global war against terrorism. They write reflective pieces exploring their own opinions about terrorism and the state of current affairs...
NOAA
Graphing Temperatures
Battle of the hemispheres? In the fourth installment of a five-part series, young oceanographers use the NOAA website to collect temperature data from drifters (buoys), one in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere....
Science Friday
Capturing Carbon Dioxide
Why don't we just capture carbon dioxide in the air and store it somewhere else? A hands-on lesson allows scholars to explore a complex concept. First, they will create a carbonated beverage, and then they will determine if liquid...
Curated OER
Hi-Tech Volunteerism
Students examine their personal skills and strengths and connect them to specific volunteer possibilities in developing countries. Based on what they explore hi-tech venture philanthropy, students envision projects that affect global...
Curated OER
Changing the Channel
Learners explore the historic transfer of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama, investigating how this shift might affect various aspects of Panama's economy, relations with other countries, and international trade.