+
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Sea Level: On the Rise

For Teachers 6th - 10th
With the global temperature on the rise, the effects of climate change are starting to be seen. However, many people have a difficult time conceptualizing the long-term effects, such as sea levels rising. Given an easy and effective...
+
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Carbon Through the Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Meteorologists view an animated video by the Environmental Protection Agency to learn how the carbon cycle works, and then move into groups to analyze and graph actual data of the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration from Hawaii's...
+
Unit Plan
2
2
US Environmental Protection Agency

Teach English, Teach About the Environment

For Teachers K - 12th
Spread the message of recycling while teaching your English language learners new vocabulary and practicing verb tenses. Included here are four lesson plans for each level (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) as well as accompanying...
+
Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

Types of Radiation

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learn about radiation, and what everyday items produce radiation, with a series of activities about heat transfer. Kids go over basic information about electromagnetic waves and ionizing radiation before performing several experiments...
+
Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

Role of Plants in Water Filtration

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Investigate the amazing ability of plants to filter contaminants from water with this series of in-class demonstrations. After placing six small, potted plants in plastic cups, different solutions and mixtures are poured into them that...
+
Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

Building an Model Aquifer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
With almost half of Americans relying on groundwater supplies, it is more important than ever to protect aquifers from possible contaminants. Working in small groups, young environmentalists explore this problem as they create an aquifer...
+
Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

Non-Point Source Pollution

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Investigate the different types of pollution that storm drain runoff carries into oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams with this class demonstration. Using an aquarium and an assortment of everyday items that contaminants like motor oil,...
+
Activity
1
1
US Environmental Protection Agency

Water Purification by Evaporation and Condensation

For Teachers 4th - 7th
This easy-to-perform demonstration shows students how the water cycle, specifically the processes of condensation and evaporation, purifies Earth's water supply. Just mix up some water, dirt, and gravel in a glass bowl, place a cup in...
+
Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency

Thirstin's Wacky Water Adventure

For Students K - 3rd Standards
Make a splash with young scientists as you teach them all about water using this activity packet. Thirstin, a cartoon glass of water, walks children through the water treatment process, teaches them about different sources of water, and...
+
Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

A Mock Town Meeting on a Proposed Tank Farm

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Intended as a follow up to the Protecting Your Drinking Water activity, young environmentalists use their assessment of the a hypothetical town's water supply to debate the installation of underground chemical storage tanks. With the...
+
Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

Protecting Your Drinking Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Having a clean, reliable source of drinking water is essential for any community, but in many cases this is easier said than done. Engage young environmentalists in exploring the five factors affecting vulnerability of a groundwater...
+
Activity
US Environmental Protection Agency

Aquifer in a Cup

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scientists create their very own aquifers in this science lesson on ground water. After learning about how some people get their drinking water from underground wells, young learners use sand, modeling clay, and aquarium rocks to...
+
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Tree Rings: Living Records of Climate

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Open with a discussion on weather and climate and then explain how tree rings can provide scientists with information about the earth's past climate. Pupils analyze graphics of simulated tree rings from various US locations for the...
+
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Mapping Greenhouse Gas Emissions Where You Live

For Teachers 5th - 10th
After investigating the US Environmental Protection Agency's climate change website, your environmental studies students discuss greenhouse gas emissions. They use an online interactive tool to look at data from power production...
+
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Weather and Climate: What's the Difference?

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Future weather forecasters collect daily temperatures over a period of time. Afterward, they compare their data with monthly averages, as researched on national weather websites, in order to grasp the difference between weather and...
+
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Getting to the Core: The Link Between Temperature and Carbon Dioxide

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Polar ice samples provide scientists with valuable information about the condition of the atmosphere for hundreds of thousands of years in the past. Of particular interest is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its...
+
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Corals and Chemistry

For Teachers 4th - 6th
After demonstrating the use of cabbage juice as a pH indicator, have your class experiment with their own breath, exhaling into the indicator, to show that carbon dioxide is acidic. As learners work, they also watch a video about coral...
+
Unit Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Water, Now and Then

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students describe, orally or in writing, ways people have depended on water during different periods of history. This nearly 500 page document is rich with diverse lessons and activities that will transform your young learners into water...
+
Interactive
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Recycle City

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explore the four neighborhoods of Recycle City to learn all the ways people there are recycling, reducing, and reusing materials. Take a look also at Dumptown, which is how Recycle City used to look, and see all the waste reduction...
+
Interactive
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Envirofacts Data Warehouse

For Students 9th - 10th
Using zip codes, this site allows students to locate businesses in their communities that are producing wastes.
+
Website
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Smog: Who Does It Hurt? [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Extensive site provides information on health effects of ground-level ozone-smog. Explains the air quality index and provides links to area ozone maps.
+
Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Epa to Launch Noise Control Program

For Students 9th - 10th
This 1972 EPA press release described the first actions that would be made under the Noise Control Act of 1972.
+
eBook
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act

For Students 9th - 10th
This 27-page booklet explains the Clean Air Act using everyday English.
+
Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Water Topics

For Students 9th - 10th
This website provides consumer information from the EPA about drinking water and water bodies.