Curated OER
Social Studies: Towne Planning in Tidewater
Young scholars discover how European values dominated colonial life. They also examine the effects of slavery in the Americas. Students compare the planning of their home town with that of colonial Williamsburg. They locate key sites...
Carnegie Mellon University
Transportation
Teach your environmental studies, life science, or engineering class how an internal combustion engine works using the first few slides of the accompanying presentation. Then, focus in on the resulting carbon emissions. Finally, take a...
Curated OER
The Zabbaleen, Cairo's Garbage Workers
Here is a fascinating human geography study of the Zabbaleen. They are a sub-class of people who work as garbage collectors in Cairo, Egypt. I can't say enough good things about this resource in my limited space here. It is fabulous! If...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension 6: Level 9
Did you know that an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon dioxide as a car emits in 11,000 miles of driving? Such fun facts abound in a short reading comprehension passage detailing the benefits of parks and rooftop gardens. After...
Curated OER
Flora and Fauna of the Hill Neighborhood
Students compare and contrast the characteristics of plants and animals. In this ecology activity, students observe the outdoors and describe the relationship among different living things. They relate plant diversity with animal diversity.
Curated OER
Water Quality Survey
Students identify the differences in the water quality of a stream and complete water testing. In this water quality lesson students collect aquatic insects and identify them.
Curated OER
Don't Cry Over Spilled Oil
Pupils study the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill while evaluating oil spill clean up activities. They discover the long term impact can have on an ecosystem by completing this experiment.
Curated OER
Land Use and Nitrogen
Students consider the effects of development on water quality. They test nitrogen levels in waters before and after development, investigate wastewater treatment options and research best management practices to reduce nitrogen loads.
Curated OER
Planning a Healthy City
Ninth graders create a scaled model city. They create a blueprint that provides for the economic and cultural needs of a community. They identify where essential elements of the city should be located and explain the rationale for the...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Air Quality in Megacities
Article discusses the impact of air pollution on human health, and surrounding environments, in large urban areas around the world. Compares the levels of smog in the cities of Los Angeles and London, discusses air monitoring programs,...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: The Urban Explosion
Describe the environmental problems created by rapid development of urban areas, and identify solutions for dealing with problems caused by uncontrolled urbanization. Explain the importance of urban development plans for dealing with...
Other
E Volo: Skyscraper Competition
Every year since 2006 eVolo, an architecture magazine, sponsors a futuristic skyscraper design contest in which architects from around the world communicate their visions of the future in architectural terms. Browse the winning entries...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ecology at Work
Students learn how rooftop gardens help the environment and the lives of people, especially in urban areas. They gain an understanding of how plants reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, provide agriculture space,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Other Water Cycle
For young scholars that have already been introduced to the water cycle, this lesson is intended as a logical follow-up. Students will learn about human impacts on the water cycle that create a pathway for pollutants beginning with urban...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Engineers Speak for the Trees
Students begin by reading Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" as an example of how overdevelopment can cause long-lasting environmental destruction. Students discuss how to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of human industry....
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Trickles Down?
Permeability is the degree to which water or other liquids are able to flow through a material. Different substances such as soil, gravel, sand, and asphalt have varying levels of permeability. In this activity, students will explore...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Birth of the Environmental Protection Agency (Epa)
By the late 1960s, issues of unchecked land development, urban decay, and air, noise, and water pollution came to Americans' attention. In November 1971, the newly created Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a large-scale...
Other
Solar Schools: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy
One major advantage with the use of renewable energy is that as it is renewable it is therefore sustainable and so will never run out. Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance than traditional generators. Their fuel...