May Media Group
Treatment Plants
Young scientists explore nature's water treatment plants in this simple science demonstration. By placing a stalk of celery in a cup of water mixed with food coloring, children are able to observe how plants absorb nutrients and...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Role of Plants in Water Filtration
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...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Building an Model Aquifer
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...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Non-Point Source Pollution
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,...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Water Purification by Evaporation and Condensation
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...
US Environmental Protection Agency
A Mock Town Meeting on a Proposed Tank Farm
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...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Protecting Your Drinking Water
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...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Aquifer in a Cup
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...
Curated OER
Revised: Adventures in Earth Day: Why Do We Care About Our Environment? - Biology Teaching Thesis
To describe the ecological and aesthetic importance of the Potomac River, Middle schoolers name the ways in which the river's values are jeopardized and explain the purpose of Earth Day. They write a response to a newspaper article in a...
Curated OER
The Environment
Students explore the issues that influence our environment and research ways to decrease the negative impact that humans have on the environment. Misconceptions about environmental issues are addressed in this lesson.
Curated OER
Arsenic and Lead Scavenger Hunt
Health wizards read and discuss an article about lead contamination then come up with a plan to help solve the problem. They get into groups to develop a community solution within the parameters of a budget, feasibility, and the source...
Curated OER
Killer Wrapper
Students examine the importance of food safety and the impact it has on their lives. In this health instructional activity students complete an oral report on food poisoning and design a low cost "safe" packing material for bread.
Curated OER
Contaminated Drinking Water
Students predict, experiment, and draw conclusions about the safety of drinking water. In this ecology lesson, students participate in an experiment to determine if they can taste or see contamination in drinking water. Data is collected...
Curated OER
Estuary and Watershed
High schoolers investigate the San Francisco Bay Estuarine Research Reserve and watershed. For this estuary and watershed lesson plan, students complete 4 activities to better understand estuarine systems. They include studying the San...
Curated OER
Challenges of Sampling
In this sampling worksheet, students try different sampling methods to determine which is the best for determining contamination on a substance. This worksheet has 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Science in the Courtroom: The Woburn Toxic Trial
Students role-play expert witnesses in a mock trial dealing with contamination of groundwater. They prepare for the role-play by studying the movement of groundwater and the transport of contaminants through computations, map exercises...
Curated OER
MICROBES 1: WHAT'S BUGGIN YOU?
Middle schoolers use existing knowledge of microbes, focusing on the relationship between microorganisms and foodborne illness, as well as the implications that foodborne illness has on human health.
Curated OER
Where's the Point?
Students examine runoff for the causes, the impact, and the solution. In this investigative lesson students construct a three dimensional model of a watershed and provide information of contaminated runoff to their audience.
Curated OER
Lesson 1: Bacteria on the Run
Students discuss bacteria. In this bacteria lesson, students see how bacteria in foods can cause illness and how to keep yourself safe. This lesson contains five activities and pre and post tests.
Curated OER
Contaminated Drinking Water
Students investigate drinking water. In this water lesson, students discover if the water we drink is safe by participating in an experiment. Students use water and vinegar to observe how drinking water can be contaminated.
Curated OER
Word Search and Define – Lesson 2
In this health worksheet, students identify and locate eight vocabulary terms in the puzzle and then, they fill-in the blanks to the correct description of each.
Curated OER
Playing in mud puddles
Students examine the effects of rainfall on different surfaces and discuss water pollution. They review the water cycle and the uses of water in daily lifestyles. Students discuss the effects of soil run off in streams and rivers.
Curated OER
Storm Drain Dumping
Young scholars conduct an experiment to show how water gets contaminated through neighborhood runoffs.
Curated OER
Porosity And Permeability
Students participate in an exercise/experiment designed to show how environmental pollution can affect the quality of drinking water.