Curated OER
Ocean Life Lesson Plans
Students learn about life in the ocean with lessons that connect science, art, and environmental topics.
Curated OER
Treacherous Trash
Learners recognize the harmful effects people have on the environment. For this environmental lesson, students simulate water pollution clean-up by using tangled objects and untangling them in a cooperative group. Learners identify why...
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Water Purification
Students develop an understanding and appreciation of water purification techniques and their implications for health maintenance.
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Acid Rain Viewfinder
Students are asked what does rain do? They are told that rain waters the Earth, but also drops acid. Students are told when there is too much pollution in the atmosphere that the environment can't neutralize it, the acid leaches into...
California Academy of Science
Pollution in Our Watershed
The concept of a how pesticides and other chemicals pass through a watershed can be difficult for younger learners to grasp without a concrete example. In the activity here, some blank paper, markers, and a spray bottle are all you need...
Teach Engineering
Grow Your Own Algae!
Develop a model of a wastewater treatment center. The last activity of the unit has pupils mix a lake water sample into a tank of water containing fertilizers. Over time, the algae from the lake water grows and removes the nutrient-rich...
Curated OER
The High Cost of Chemical Dependency
Sixth graders explore, analyze and study the effect and impact that humans have on the environment based on their choices as individuals, businesses and governments. They assess the balance between human activities and aquatic pollution.
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Make Your Own Biodegradable Plastic Stuff
Students identify the four basic natural resources. They distinguish bettween renewable and non-renewable resources. Pupils recognize that all natural resources are needed by living plants and animals. Students list consequences for...
Curated OER
The Chemistry of Water / Industrial Waste at My High School
Students gain factual knowledge of the nature of industrial waste at on their school site. They gain process knowledge of the laboratory techniques and collection procedures for wastewater samples.
University of Waikato
Ocean Acidification and Eggshells
Eggshells and seashells have a lot in common. Learners use the similarities to conduct an experiment that models the effect of ocean acidification on marine animals. Using varying levels of acidic liquids, pupils make observations on the...
Curated OER
Is That Legal? A Case of Acid Rain
Develop an environmental case study! Elementary learners discover how a case study is used as an analysis tool. The goal of this activity is to show pupils how techniques of persuasion (including background, supporting evidence,...
Curated OER
Rock River Watershed
Students discover what a watershed is and which one they live in. Using the internet, they research why watersheds are important to an ecosystem and how to keep them from getting polluted. They use a map to locate various items within a...
Curated OER
Lesson 11 - Potable Water
Students investigate the meaning of potable water and water reuse. They define water quality and quantity problems. They complete worksheets, a quiz and design a poster.
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Got Water?
Students determine that delivering clean, fresh water to citizens around the world involves and affects politics, economics, international relations, and technology. They brainstorm a list of factors that might affect their town's...
Curated OER
How Do Geology and Physical Stream-bed Characteristics Affect Water Quality?
Students examine geological bedrock in landscape regions and collect data. In this investigative lesson students retrieve data on the Internet then interpret, and graph it.
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Junior Engineering Surface Water
Students experience the effects of pollution and erosion on a model of a watershed and explore ways to change the outcome.
Curated OER
Water: The Liquid of Life
Sixth graders complete a lesson on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the lesson with a field trip...
Curated OER
Dangerous Air
Students investigate how pollution is a global issue. They locate the countries affected by radiation from Chernobyl, sequence the progress of radiation transport from Chernobyl and plot the pollution points on a world map, and read and...
Curated OER
Choices Make A Difference
Learners are explained that wastewater treatment plants are regulated as to the quality of water they may discharge into our rivers and canals. They are explained that wastewater treatment plants clean many pollutants out of the...
Curated OER
Recycling
Third graders observe the importance of recycling. In this environmental activity, 3rd graders will view experiments on water filtration, paper-making, and breathing pollutants, and will categorize recyclable materials.
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Harmful Effects of Acid Rain
Seventh graders are able to demonstrate the harmful effects of an acidic solution. They become aware of the harmful effects of acid rain. Students make predictions before they began the experiment. If vingegar contains acid, then how...
Curated OER
Upstream And Downstream
Students gain an understanding of how elevation affects the flow of water. They discuss issues that can arise when residents and industries upstream pollute or irrigate a river, in opposition to those downstream. They role play opposing...
Curated OER
Estuary and Watershed
Students investigate the San Francisco Bay Estuarine Research Reserve and watershed. In this estuary and watershed lesson plan, students complete 4 activities to better understand estuarine systems. They include studying the San...
Curated OER
Rice Farming
Third graders investigate how farmers get more rice from their land. In this farming instructional activity, 3rd graders discover things that farmers to do produce more rice. Students study photosynthesis and illustrate pictures about...