Is there a correlation between a country's wealth and the extent of its ecological footprint? What exactly constitutes an ecological footprint, and how does one country stack up against the rest? This is a unique lesson to incorporate...

Introduce cradle-to-cradle design thinking. Scholars first discuss the importance of natural laws and rights. They then use a variety of online and print resources to research eco-efficiency and cradle-to-cradle design.

Learners explore how water is a limited resource, where it comes from, how it can become polluted and how it is used.  In this water quality instructional activity students search the web to answer given questions and prepare a...

Here is a wonderful lesson on natural resources found in Arkansas which is designed for kindergartners. The lesson could be easily adapted for any state. Some clever in-class activities, games, and a song are included in this...

Teams of electrical engineers work together to develop plans for increasing electricity to a fictitious, but growing community. They consider different sources of electricity, both renewable and nonrenewable, the cost of building and...

Students examine the economic benefits, environmental losses and dangers of the shrimp farming industry on the coast of Ecuador. They read a script, role-play people involved in the shrimp business, and write an essay of the pros and cons.

Pupils understand the meaning of natural resources. They distinguish between renewable and non-renewable natural resources. To help students identify natural resources as either non-renewable or renewable. To stimulate student thinking...

Students explain any perceived relationship between mineral resources and political/economic power. They test knowledge through puzzles and classroom activities and research different minerals and educate one another about their...

Students develop counterarguments to John Mizzoni's article on business sustainability. In this economics vs. environment lesson, students present examples of greenwashing and support them with rationale. They also discuss whether...

Students explore the five senses and the significance of each sense. In this five senses and diversity lesson, students listen to You Can't Smell a Flower With Your Ear by Joanna Cole and take a walk observing opportunities to use all...

Students research the amount and kinds of energy that are produced and consumed in the United States, including the limitations of this kind of consumption. They research and create a display to teach classmates about a specific...

Young geographers discover not only how to read and recognize coordinates on a map, but also gain a deeper understanding of latitude and longitude and how climate changes can vary significantly across latitudes.

Approximately 50 percent of people in the world who are chronically hungry work in agriculture. While it seems counter-intuitive, the farther you live from a farm, the more food options are available. Scholars explore concepts related to...

Fourth graders explore the importance of oceans in supporting life on earth and identify resources obtained from the ocean.

Young scholars describe limitations of fresh water resources on ships at sea. They realize the value of fresh water on the ocean and around the world. Students gain a knowledge of the process and economic cost of desalinization.

Students compare and contrast facts about the development, history and importance of several rivers in the state. They research the history and development of one particular river and describe the deltas and their formation.

Students explain how the basic human needs of a large group of people can be met. They describe and evaluate alternative methods for providing water and food, producing electricity, handling wastes, and transporting goods and people....

Young scholars explain how the basic human needs of a large group of people can be met. They describe and evaluate alternative methods for providing water and food, producing electricity, handling wastes, and transporting goods and...

Sixth graders explore, analyze and study the effect and impact that humans have on the environment based on their choices as individuals, businesses and governments. They assess the balance between human activities and aquatic pollution.

Switching indoor water fixtures to low flow reduces water usage by more than 45 percent. This and other solutions to reduce water usage have both pros and cons. Scholars view videos of different solutions, discuss them in small groups,...

Learn about the factors that affect the way oxygen dissolves in salt water with a chemistry lab. After studying the molecular structure of water, young scientists figure out how aeration, temperature, and organic waste affect...

A growing demand for sustainable food systems comes from schools and even some cities. So what are some solutions? Scholars consider four different ways to approach sustainable food solutions and list the pros and cons of each. The fifth...

High schoolers research and assess past, present, and future decisions related to energy shortages by focusing on the California energy crisis as a case study. Students develop their own news articles about decisions that need to be made...

Students participate in a instructional activity that is focused on the concept of recycling. They conduct research to find out about the history of recycling and how it is done in the present day.