Curated OER
Outdoor Survivors
Fifth graders complete a survey to decide what are most popular plants among the class. They test the water quality in a nearby pond. Studnts test the quality of soil samples taken from their homes. Different plants are moistened with...
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Can We Keep the Lake Clean?
Learners are introduced to the water cycle. They help draw a picture of a lake ecosystem, adding human impacts that affect water quality. Students help fill in the components of a drawing of a water system. At the end of the...
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What's in the Water?
Students examine how pollutants can affect ocean animals. In this pollution lesson, students read a story about the ocean floor, think about what would happen to the plants and animals if the ocean became dirty or polluted, and conduct...
Curated OER
Water Quality And pH
Students determine the pH level of water and its effect on aquatic plants and brine shrimp eggs. This is a three part lesson that leads the student through the development of an understanding of water pH. They form a hypothesis and are...
Michigan Sea Grant
Wetlands
Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...
Curated OER
Measuring Exponential Growth
Middle schoolers reinforce math skills while learning about best practices
for protection of water quality in the management of animal feeding
operations. They make a table to show results of their calculations and compare and justify...
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From Lake to Tap
Middle schoolers use the Internet to study how water is treated to make it safe to drink. They use a tutorial on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website to gain this information. They complete a worksheet for the assessment...
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Moving without Wheels
Learners observe a simple water cycle model to better understand its role in pollutant transport. This activity shows one way in which pollution is affected by the water cycle; it simulates a point source of pollution in a lake and the...
Chymist
How Do We Affect the Quality of Our Atmosphere
Explore the makeup of the earth's atmosphere. Using the set of specific experiments, pupils examine the main elements and compounds present in the atmosphere. Their study extends to investigate the effects of atmospheric pollution such...
Curated OER
SAV Plants of the St. Mary¿¿¿s River Ecosystem
Students examine the importance of submerged aquatic vegetation in the St. Mary River ecosystem. They identify different characteristics of common eelgrass and discuss water quality, photosynthesis, habitat, oxygen production.
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Beginning Critical Reading- Water
In this ESL worksheet, students read a five paragraph text about water. Students then answer 5 multiple choice questions about the passage.
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Vermicomposting
Fourth graders explore insect life by viewing a soil presentation in class. In this composting instructional activity, 4th graders read assigned text about the process of composting soil and the necessity of soil in plant life. Students...
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Prairie Restoration and Prairie Ecology
Students collect data as they identify and classify native prairie plants and insects. They create their own population study using a variety of sampling techniques to determine the population density of various species. Students...
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How Does it Affect Plants?
Middle schoolers examine the effects of acid rain on plants. They observe the growth of seeds and the health of different plants for a month. They share their findings with the community.
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What are rice farmers doing to help the environment with their water-filled rice fields?
Third graders research rice fields. In this rice fields lesson, 3rd graders discuss how fields contribute to the environment by providing an important food source for birds. They find the benefits of rice fields to water and soil as well.
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats -- Journey of a Drop of Water Through a Watershed
Students discuss pollution and the steps in the hydrologic cycle. They follow a drop of water through a watershed simulation. They discover the components of a water cleaning system as well.
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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...
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Science: How Tall Are Plants
First graders investigate plant growth and examine what factors contribute to plant growth. They keep a class chart of plant growth and write about and illustrate their conclusions.
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Native Planting for the Built or Green Environment
Students identify the terms used in naturescaping. They identify how to plant, how to do site preparation and how to develop a plan. Students explore the benefits of naturescaping for the health of the environment. They also...
Curated OER
Fresh or Salty?
Students explore water bodies on the planet Earth and their various uses and qualities. They examine several ways that engineers are working to maintain and conserve water sources and think about their role in water conservation....
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Aquaculture Production in the Classroom
High schoolers study the basics of aquaculture and how to successfully raise aquatic plants and animals. In this water lesson students perform water quality tests on fish tanks, record and graph their results.
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Ugh! We DRINK This Stuff?
Pupils explain the processes involved in the cleansing and purifying of surface water. After a lecture/demo, students engage in an experiment that illustrates how water is cleansed before we drink it.
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Ecosystem Damage from Household Cleaners
Third graders assess the damage done to various ecosystems by cleaning products and discover how scientists test water quality. Using stream water and common household cleaning agents, they work in groups to test for pH levels. Once...
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What's Gotten Into You?
Students use models to investigate the process and consequences of water contamination on the land, groundwater, and plants.