Curated OER
Mercury in the Environment
Students develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry. They develop an understanding of chemical reactions, structures and properties of matter. They develop decision-making skills in natural and human-induced hazards.
Curated OER
Going in Cycles: The Life of an Aluminum Can
Young scholars investigate the manufacture of aluminum cans and consider the energy and resources saved when the cans are made from recycled material. They explore the concept of closed-loop recycling using charts, worksheets and...
Curated OER
Ground Level Ozone
Students analyze real-time data and predict the level of ground ozone in their home city. They measure the level of ground ozone, submit their data to an online collaborative project, and create a web page presenting the dangers of...
Curated OER
Lesson 11 - Potable Water
Students investigate the meaning of potable water and water reuse. They define water quality and quantity problems. They complete worksheets, a quiz and design a poster.
Curated OER
Water Pollution Hot-Spots
Middle schoolers complete internet research in small groups to identify types of water pollution, spotlight water pollution hot-spots, and design a plan for water prevention.
Curated OER
Jurassic Park Debate
Students research behavior, phsyiology, and ecology of dinoaurs. Students role-play as scientific specialists such as geneticists and ecologists. They present their research findings in a research paper.
Curated OER
Groundwater Detectives
Students measure the pH of soil samples from a hypothetical site to locate a contaminant spill and will predict the direction of groundwater flow using mathematical modeling. They use the engineering design process to develop...
Curated OER
Using Maps to Make Public Health Descisions Case Study: Harmful Algal Blooms in the Gulf of Mexico
Learners are introduced to GIS and its uses. Students participate as public health scientists to deliberate a course of action to explore possible research questions. Pupils interpret spatial data, and make predictions based on GIS data,...
Curated OER
Chemical Controversy
Students explore the endocrine disruption theory. They work in groups to research and develop a persuasive oral argument to support one side of the endocrine disruption theory. Students engage in debate and other activities to analyze...
Curated OER
Sustainability
Fifth graders investigate the concept of natural resources. They participate in a simulation project to see possible uses. They use the internet to study how Hacienda Verde is used as a model for others for sustainable coffee crops.
Curated OER
Erosion Explosion
Ninth graders explore soil erosion. Through a class discussion, they examine soil conservation methods. Given a potted plant, 9th graders observe the effects of erosion when water is poured over the soil. Students brainstorm terms...
Curated OER
The Role of Government
Students are introduced to the economic roles of the federal government. Using the internet, they read information related to government spending and the actual dollar amounts attached to budget items. In groups, they develop their own...
Curated OER
Energy Conservation
Class is divided into groups of 2-4 students. They then are given a list of 36 items that are found in our homes and which use electricity. They are going to pretend that because of an energy shortage, they have to pick only twelve items...
Curated OER
Service Projects in the Dominican Republic
Pupils look into how Peace Corps Volunteers have provided community assistance in the Dominican Republic. They read primary source documents and be able to identify several kinds of service projects conducted by Peace Corps Volunteers.
Curated OER
Water Ways Lesson Plan #1: Who Catches Your Fish?
Students explore the types of fish caught in the Mid-Atlantic region. In this fishing lesson plan, students learn about fishing methods and meet fishermen that catch the fish. Using the water ways website, students research types of...
Curated OER
Going in Cycles: The Life of an Aluminum Can
Students explore the life cycle of aluminum cans. In this recycling activity, students review the manufacturing process and how to make a closed loop cycle. Students also have the opportunity to present what they've learned to others...
Curated OER
Look At A Landfill
Students explore how landfills function. In this landfill lesson, students explore the use of landfills and the decomposition process by creating a model landfill. Students discuss pros and cons to landfills and how potential problems...
Curated OER
Native American Culture
Young scholars research Native American culture. In this Native Americans lesson, students read the folk tale, The Strongest One and identify the natural resources in the poem. Young scholars participate in a discussion of how Native...
Curated OER
Natural Gardening
Students study the effect of pesticides on plants and insects. In this gardening instructional activity, students discuss the importance of insects. They define pesticides, evaluate their effectiveness and the problems they might...
Curated OER
Selecting Trees for Urban Environments
Students consider the best place to plant a tree. In this environment lesson, students identify urban locations that are compatible with particular tree types. Students decide what trees would go where and why they would survive.
Curated OER
What's in My Water, and How Did it Get There?
Students analyze water samples to see the contaminants and then use the Internet to find the sources of the contamination. For this investigative water lesson students analyze water and work together to solve the mystery of contaminants.
Curated OER
Toward a Sustainable Agriculture
Learners examine how to use ecological analysis to animal production systems. In this sustainable agriculture lesson students examine where the nutrients flow in a system and complete several activities.
Curated OER
Walden the Ballad of Thoreau
Students role play to become familiar with the life of Thoreau. For this Thoreau lesson, students view a video of the Walden play about Thoreau. Students perform and promote the play as a school event.
Curated OER
Get to the Point!
Students write out sources of pollution and identify contaminants are most likely found in urban runoff. In this pollution lesson students compare toxicity tests and chemical analysis of potential contaminants.