Lesson Plan
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It's All in the Air

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine air quality. They test the air for visible pollutants by observing jars for one week and compare and contrast the data they collect. After comparing and contrasting the data, they graph the results of pollution...
Lesson Plan
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Turtle Hurdles

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students participate in a simulation in which they discover the threats to sea turtles throughout the world. In groups, they act out the life cycle of a sea turtle and describe the stresses that threaten their survival. As a class,...
Lesson Plan
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Amazing Bird Adaptions--Why Am I A Bird?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify and classify birds found in Illinois. Using the internet, they discover how birds have adapted over time and how the adaptations have increased their life span. They compare and contrast the various adaptations...
Lesson Plan
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Posters and People

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create and design posters reflecting the types of litter harmful to aquatic wildlife. They explain the dangers of fishing line to aquatic wildlife, plastic bags to dolphins, and fish nets to fish. They design a poster...
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Estimating Loggerhead Hatchling Gender Ratios

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study sea turtles and the concept of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Using a specific set of temperature data, they determine the probable sex of a nest of sea turtle hatchlings and then determine the overall...
Lesson Plan
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What Kind Of Research Should Our Government Support?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students are assigned to research review groups, which have to decide which of the proposals to fund. The teacher then leads a discussion focusing on the ethical issues raised in the reasons given for each group's decisions.
Lesson Plan
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What's Gotten Into You?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use models to investigate the process and consequences of water contamination on the land, groundwater, and plants.
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"pH and the Environment"

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders experiment and study about acids and bases by becoming involved in direct hands-on learning experiences and then relate those experiences to their own lives. They experience the Ohio River and what can be done to help...
Lesson Plan
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Mellowing With Age, A Closer Look

For Teachers K - 5th
Students realize that aging is a "natural, continuous process" and develop sensitivity to the needs, desires, and capabilities of the elderly by interviewing elderly community members and photographing age related things.
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Biome Exchange: Send the Stuff Not The Kids

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students exchange information with students from various geographic biomes. They explore the unique ecologically significant features of the biomes and share with other students.
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Investigating Endangered Species

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students pick an endangered animal to research and report their findings to the class.
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Florida Springs

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students discover the many uses of water and the sources of the water we see. They complete a worksheet about the water usage at school and at home.
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Nebraska Rocks & The Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the rock cycle and relate it to rocks that are indigenous to Nebraska. Students collect rocks and draw a diagram of the rock cycle using their collection.
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Out of the City and Into the Soup

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the issue of air pollution. They read and analyze an article, evaluate the responses of state and federal officials to the problem, conduct Internet research, and write a letter to their senator and congressman.
Lesson Plan
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Get Your Butt off the Beach!

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students participate in a Beach Field Study in which the analyze the affect pollution is having on beaches and the animals that live there. Students focus specifically on the damage cigarette butts are causing on the environment.
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Trash Or Treasure

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the concept of garbage and define how it may be useful for people. The consumption of products is estimated to predict the annual volume of garbage for a household. Then students attempt to create a treasure...
Lesson Plan
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Language Arts: Investigating Issues That Matter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are able to become more informed about the dangers of water contamination by sharing their prior knowledge with each other. They discover the importance of communicating these dangers to the public.
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Upcycled Garment or Art Work

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the importance of recycling waste products. In this art instructional activity, students research different upcycled fashion designs and accessories. They design their own product and present it in class.
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the Wonder of Wetlands

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the importance of the wetland ecosystem, its properties and functions, as well as, the many birds, animals, and plant life found there.
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To Drink or not to Drink

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discuss water quality, water availability and water resources and how water is used in the world around them. They view a video on water quality then test for pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen to indicate water quality.
Lesson Plan
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Getting the Local Scoop

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders practice interviewing professionals in their area about their careers at a local watershed. They identify at least three careers that depend on the watershed and discuss its history. They write a composition to end the...
Lesson Plan
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TE Activity: A Merry-Go-Round for Dirty Air

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars observe a simulation of a cyclone to examine a method of pollutant recovery in cleaning industrial air pollution. They examine how engineers develop technology to reduce air pollution and determine percentages for...
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Snow vs. Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students fill three cups with snow. They record the height of snow in each cup, and allow the snow to melt. Students measure the height of the water in each glass or cup, and record their results on the worksheet. They answer questions...
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The Effect of Medications on Daphnia

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils explore how human beings affect the world's ecosystem by examining the affects of medication on daphnia, a small freshwater organism very sensitive to pollution. Students use a computer model to repeat the experiment and analyze...