Waste not, want not! Science scholars explore manure as an alternative energy source through reading and experimentation. Groups construct their own biofuel digesters and observe the process of methane production. The teacher's guide...

Livestock managers reinforce math and science skills while learning about the nutrients found in manure. They predict which animal produces the largest amount and which animal's manure contains the most nitrogen. Finally, they compare...

It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...

Students experiment with biomass materials as alternative energy sources. In this biomass material instructional activity, students participate in an experiment with cow manure to determine how it can be used as an energy source. They...

Where this is not exactly a lesson plan, it is a terrific outline of how to generate biogas from an animal manure sample. If you are up for the challenge, the generator can be built by your class as a concluding project at the end of an...

Eighth graders examine the concept that the sun is the ultimate source of energy for living things. They conduct an experiment in which they roast marshmallows over a flame that has been produced from methane gas, which originates from...

Learners are introduced to the on-farm nutrient cycle, which explains feed to manure, to soil, and back to the feed. They are introduced to the generation of runoff during rainstorms, and the contents of runoff water are more than water...

Students examine the dietary strategies to reduce the excretion of nutrients in poultry. As a class, they examine how dietary nutrients relate with manure nutrients. They also discover the impact of the strategies on manure and litter...

Youngsters read text about an environmentally-friendly car. They try to figure out the meaning of the vocabulary in the text and discuss issues related to alternative energy sources. This thoughtful, well-designed plan has all the...

Learners study the basics of soil science. They research and gather data through readings, videos, and performance of laboratory investigations. As a team they generate oral and written recommendations for the amendment of soil.

High schoolers explore and experiment with the concept do new kinds of insects appear after soil modification. They assess and review scientific methods of observation, predicting, variables, math skills, ratio, proportions, graphs and...

Second graders measure red worms. In this lesson, 2nd graders observe and collect data on red worms. Students measure the red worms and create a graph with the data they collect.

Young scholars discover how seed germination varies according to the soil type. In this soil science lesson, students discuss what plants need in order to grow and investigate various types of soil. Young scholars use their senses to...

Explore genetically modified foods through various experiments. In this biology lesson, students discuss the safety issues related to GMF's. They conduct a PCR analysis to identify the presence of genetic modification.

Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready...

Want an organic farming resource packed with experiments, background information, science fair projects, and topics of interest for further research? Here it is. Young environmental scientists can explore concepts involved in organic...

Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...

Students discuss background information presented by the teacher and read dictionary definitions for the words "organic" and "synthetic." In this gardengin lesson, students complete a worksheet on the material. Students grow and compare...

In this assessment, 10th graders Match the vocabulary terms in column A with the definitions in column B. Write the letter of the definition in column B in the space next to the terms in column A. Upon completionof the first task,...

Read about sustainable agriculture and complete related Internet activities. After reading background information about the economics of sustainable agriculture and the problems with the industrial food system, your students click on...

If you are looking for how to introduce elementary environmentalists to the process of composting, here is a comprehensive outline for making it happen. The plan is to set this up at the beginning of a school year in order to observe the...

Middle schoolers reinforce math skills while learning about best practices for protection of water quality in the management of animal feeding operations. They make a table to show results of their calculations and compare and justify...

Students explore vermicomposting, the species of worms needed and the proper climate for it.  In this composting instructional activity students make their own worm compost bin. 

Young scholars research the town of Deerfield, CT and its River God families to show how the middle class developed in the Connecticut River Valley.