California Academy of Science
Sustainable Water Solutions: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Switching indoor water fixtures to low flow reduces water usage by more than 45 percent. This and other solutions to reduce water usage have both pros and cons. Scholars view videos of different solutions, discuss them in small groups,...
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Reduce and Respect!
Students examine how to reduce trash to help the environment. In this environment lesson, students listen to the story, The Wartville Wizard, before thinking about how they can reduce trash. They decide why it is important to reduce...
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It Won't Last Forever
Students investigate the recycling process. In this recycling lesson, students set up a classroom program for recycling and set up recycling bins in various areas of the school. Students investigate other options to reduce waste.
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From Trees to Paper
Sixth graders investigate logging and the process of paper making. In this forestry lesson, 6th graders analyze pictures of trees being processed into the paper they use everyday. Students solve and create math problems based on...
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Stage 1: What is Going into the Bin?
Student can explain the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable. They calculate how much rubbish bags all their families together produce each week and then calculate how much rubbish their families produce during the...
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We are all Responsible
Students desribe the interdependence between humans and nature and positive behavior with regards to natural resources. They demonstrate respectful attitudes and behaviors with regards to the environment. Students gain knowledge of...
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Illegal Dumping
Students go on an outing and note garbage near picnic tables. They brainstorm ways to be involved with anti-litter campaigns and write letters to local officials.
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Growing With Compost
Students discuss the positives and negatives of composting. They plant their own plant using composting material and record results. They create a poster for the classroom.
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Diversity of Trees
Fourth graders explore the uses of trees, For this trees lesson, 4th graders discover the uses of trees and how we use them everyday. Students collect items and decide if they are made from trees, have a scavenger hunt for wood products...
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Snowy Night Snaps
Students use misprinted photographs donated from a photo processing company to create paintings of a snowy landscape at night.
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Excavating Your Recycling Bin as a Fossil Record
Students explore how scientists examine the past and use rock layers with fossils to understand the past. In this excavation lesson plan students divide into groups and complete an activity.
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MOBILITY, Bike Rack Remix
Students examine how riding a bike can impact the environment and cut down on carbon emissions. In this environmental lesson students design a bike rack that is made from recycled material.
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Plastics: Field Trip - Vancouver Landfill
Students examine the amount of garbage that is produced by the City of Vancouver. In this landfill lesson, students participate in a field trip to the City of Vancouver Landfill. They look at what happens to garbage, recycling, and yard...
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Map Your Area
Students map the geographic boundaries of a recycling program's service areas and include the location of buyers important to the program. They use this map as an aid in managing a school recycling program or project.
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Evergreen's Green Team Energy Audit
Students investigate the ways energy is used at their school and how it can be changed. In this energy lesson, students participate in a service project related to energy. Students record and calculate changes that saved energy and the...
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Brown Bag Kites
Students observe and discuss kites. They create a kite out of recycled materials, such as paper bags, paper scraps, leftover glitter, and buttons.
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Paper Masks/Heads
Students examine the processes and beliefs used by different cultures to create works of art. Using the internet, they research the types of arts used by cultures that have been transmitted to future generations. They use recycled...
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Water Filtering
Young scholars investigate how polluted water is filtered so people can use this recycled resource. They conduct an experiment in which they put "polluted" water through a filtering system. They investigate what happens at a water...
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Elmer's Glue Crew
Learners practice cleaning up the environment by identifying wasteful behaviors in their school. In this arts and crafts lesson, students create "eco-inspector" binoculars using Elmer's glue, plastic wrap, and construction paper....
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Energy Efficiency: It really IS important!
Students compare the energy needed to produce new products versus recycling. In this physics lesson, students brainstorm ways to save energy. They create a presentation about the correlation between conserving energy and energy costs.
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Garbage/Solid Waste Disposal
Students examine the problem of solid waste disposal in modern society. They decide on a site for waste disposal. They investigate the many different types of waste that need to be dealt with. They participate in three learning station...
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Christmas Baubles
Students create hanging christmas decorations using plastic lids, glue, various colors and shapes of glitter, and tinsel in this early-elementary school Art lesson. The lesson is ideal for the holiday season or can be modified for any...
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Getting to Know the Products from Trees
In this tree products lesson, young scholars read the book Tell Me,Tree: All About Trees for Kids, discuss how people make products from wood, define producers and consumers and then go on a treasure hunt for wood products at home and...
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Father's Day Tool Belt
Students paint designs and messages on cloth nail bags using puff paint or fabric paint in this simple elementary school Art lesson for Father's Day. The lesson could be adapted depending on classroom needs and student needs.