Sustainable Consumption Teacher Resources

High schoolers experience an inequitable resource distribution and electronically calculate their own Ecological Footprint. The assess their resource use and learn more about sustainable living strategies in a video tour by Penn State...

Students role play a scenario specific to decision making in seafood management and conservation. In this marine science lesson, students estimate seafood consumption in their state. They recommend new regulations for better fishery...

Students explore the finite petroleum resources available and the surging demand for fossil fuels by developing nations. the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and the development of alternative, sustainable fuels is examined in this...

Introduce youngsters to the term ecological footprint. Learners identify ways in which humans affect the environment. They look at the problems associated with the use of natural resources, and focus on ways to preserve natural...

Take a step into the virtual farm world and explore the impact farming has on our everyday eating habits. Future farmers discover the meaning of agriculture and the hard work that goes into providing food for us to enjoy. A computer...

Every 18–24 months, nuclear power plants shut down to remove their used uranium fuel, a radioactive waste. Show learners how energy is made and used around the world and then focus on the United States' usage. Viewers then specifically...

Middle schoolers consider the development of different societies. In this environmental building lesson, students consider local resources and how societies choose to use them. Middle schoolers use their findings to design a 'green'...

Small changes in individual diets add up quickly, which is the theme of the ninth lesson in the 13-part Our Hungry Planet unit. Viewers watch a video to learn basic facts before reading a handout and discussing their own choices.

Students explore space science by conducting a sun experiment in class. In this time telling lesson plan, students discuss how the sun sits in our sky at exact times each day and how astronomy is based on our perspective of the solar...

Use your class's knowledge of pollution and water treatment to write an editorial to town citizens. They apply prior knowledge in order to compose a letter intended for newspaper publication, focusing on writing to an appropriate audience.

Students discover the types of batteries and their uses. They experience static electricity by rubbing glass jars and using it to raise their hair. After discussing the importance of recycling batteries and using ones that are...

Learners discuss the oil crisis and how it affects the food they eat. In this food production lesson, students look at the foods sold in their grocery store and imagine which would leave if there was no oil to ship the food. They watch...

Students read scenarios about the production of Bibles over five historical time periods. Working in small groups, students create skits and develop a retrieval chart that is used to analyze factors that impact economic growth.

Twelfth graders explore controversy around genetically modified foods, identify source of controversy, and role play town hall meeting on genetically modified foods, to examine viewpoints and arguments for and against genetic modification.

Sixth graders examine climate change in the state of Colorado. In this climate lesson, 6th graders watch 2 video clips regarding the topic and research the subtopics- snow pack, precipitation, temperature, forest fires, river flow,...

High schoolers research and develop power point presentations that answer the question, "What is changing our forests?" In this ecology instructional activity, students research the niche of Pine Beetles and their increased effect...

Young scholars use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. In this alternative energy lesson, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide several...

Students write a proposal to save energy resources. In this energy lesson, students research nuclear energy, coal power, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy. Students then debate energy issues and share...

Learners describe the pros and cons of different energy sources. In this earth science lesson, students respond to survey questions and discuss each other's opinion about the issue. They research an energy source of their choice and...

In this environment worksheet, students read the background information of forestry and focus upon harvesting and forest management.

Students write about the benefits that industrial agriculture has had on growing crops. In this industrial agriculture lesson plan, students research how technology has impacted the processing speed of growing food.

Young scholars explore the global implications of consumer decisions when purchasing groceries. They examine labels of food products and discuss the wording on the labels. They calculate food miles of how far each ingredient in foods...

In this science worksheet, students test the quality of water taken from a local source and test it in a lab for the ingredients present.

Learners manipulate different variables in a model and make inferences about the temperature on Earth.  In this heat lesson students calculate the blackbody radiation of an object at a certain temperature.