Curated OER
Getting the Local Scoop
Fourth graders practice interviewing professionals in their area about their careers at a local watershed. They identify at least three careers that depend on the watershed and discuss its history. They write a composition to end the...
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
Water Web-- Ponds
In this social studies and science instructional activity, learners learn the importance of ponds in an area's watershed by reading and completing the 8 pages of questions and activities in this newsletter, which is put out by the...
Curated OER
Waterdrops
In this science learning exercise, learners learn about water resources and watersheds by reading and answering questions in this 8 pages newsletter. Students learn about salt vs. fresh water, discover the protective role of estuaries,...
Curated OER
Poseidon's Protectors to the Rescue
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. For this environmental stewardship lesson, students explore the Greek mythology story of Poseidon. Middle schoolers write letters to Poseidon that address water pollution today and...
Curated OER
Water Taste Test
Learners brainstorm the different characteristics of potable water. In this general science lesson, students test several water samples and hypothesize which samples and brands they are. They discuss where drinking water came from and...
Curated OER
Hypoxia and the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico
Students investigate the causes of hypoxia, the characteristics of a watershed, and how the actions and management practices of people can both negatively and positively affect aquatic ecosystems.
Curated OER
Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project
Sixth graders review the needs of their community and salmon in a local creek. Using information they gathered, they design and implement a project to restore salmon and steelhead back to the local watershed. They identify threats to the...
Curated OER
Fish Now or Later
Students describe the effects of over-harvest on a salmon population. They explain the importance of salmon to many communities in Alaska. They manage harvest levels to maintain a sustainable population.
Curated OER
Wasting Water
Students participate in a hands-on experiment to discover why it is important to conserve water and explore common ways water is wasted. Students estimate the volume of water available on earth and calculate the volumes and costs of...
Georgia Aquarium
The Ocean's Nursery
Linear perspective, estuaries, and water ways converge in a science-inspired art project. The class uses what they've learned about eco-systems, estuaries, and the food chain to create scale models of a local marsh. While the lesson is...
Curated OER
Turning the Tide on Trash: Marine Debris Curriculum
Seven pages of fascinating reading on marine debris preface the activities in this lesson plan. Four different activities are employed to simulate how the debris is distributed in the ocean and along beaches. Early ecology learners...
Institute for Applied Ecology
From Salmonberry to Sagebrush - Exploring Oregon’s Native Plants
Take a deep dive into Oregon's ecosystems, plants, and changes from the past to the future. Many hands-on activities in an environmental science unit delight scholars, including creating a field guide for a local park. The in-depth study...
University of Wisconsin
Follow the Drop
Young surveyors look for patterns in water flow around campus. Using a map of the school (that you will need to create), they mark the direction of the path of water. They also perform calculations for the volume that becomes runoff. The...
Curated OER
Turning the Tide on Trash: Marine Debris Curriculum
Six different lessons comprise this unit on marine debris. Science, language arts, social studies, and art projects make this an ideal interdisciplinary unit. The result will be well-informed future citizens who can help make a...
Curated OER
Applications of GIS
Don't be concerned that the title slide of this presentation mentions Virginia's Geospatial Extension Program; this slide show is very informative for any technology-focused curriculum when considering global information systems. It...
Curated OER
What is the Problem of Boston Harbor?
Students recognize the affects of technology on the environment. They examine data to determine methods to improve waater quality. A research paper is written to desribe recommendations for improving water in the future.
Curated OER
Pulling Together With Natives -- The Bradley Sisters' Story
Learners identify the four ways to stop the spread of weeds in California. In groups, they practice the five methods of removing and controling the spread of the weeds. To end the activity, they summarize the Bradley sisters way of...
Curated OER
The Cycle of Restoration
Pupils describe what is meant by restoration cycle. In groups, they create a poster to show the cycle of restoration work. After presenting their poster, they discuss the actions that can be done for each season. To end the lesson, they...
Curated OER
Biomanipulation
Students explore the effects of aquatic trophic relationships on water transparency. They observe and explain the effects of reducing nutrient inputs on agal density on water transparency.
Curated OER
Water: Read All About It!
Students discuss newspapers and water and work in groups to develop their own paper focusing on water issues. In this journalism activity, students discuss the value of newspapers and water as an issue. They work as a group to develop a...
Curated OER
Oak Ridges Moraine: Southern Ontario's Sponge
Students examine the characteristics of the Oak Ridge Moraine in Canada. Using a map, the locate the moraine and present and defend a position on how the resources found there should be used. They must use proper geography terminology...
Curated OER
Google Earth on the Range
Eighth graders use Google Earth to study the landscape of Utah. In this Utah landscape lesson, 8th graders view landscape photos and work in partners to analyze the pictures. Students write a paragraph that describes the landscape and...
Curated OER
Great Flathead Lake Ecosystem Mystery
Students analyze data to solve the mystery of what contributed to an ecological disaster at Great Flathead Lake. They read and graph the available data, create a food web of the problem ecosystem, and construct a formal problem statement...