Lesson Plan
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A Tour in Sustainability

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore two LEED certified green buildings. They examine what is the LEED certification process and what constitutes a green building. They tour via the internet two LEED certified green buildings, while comparing and...
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Japan: Images of a People

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students learn the geography of Japan and its location in reference to the United States.
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Discover the World of Machines

For Teachers K
Students participate in a project which incorporates science with reading, writing, social studies, and technology. Through several activities over a 15 day period, they explore the computer, digital camera, computer software programs...
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Getting the "Yuck" Out

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine various types of household materials for their usefulness as filters. They work together in teams to design a filtration system that produces the cleanest water in the shortest time.
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Natural Inquirer Scientific Process Module

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students investigate the attributes of scientists. In this scientific process instructional activity, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to describe the jobs of scientists. Students discuss their findings. 
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Dino Hunt

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students use the Internet to gather information about dinosaurs. They practice navagating through the different websites. They also practice listening to directions and also explore how to fill out a KWL chart.
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Water Awareness Portfolio Instructions

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students participate in a water awareness portfolio.  In this water conservation lesson students create a portfolio to help make them aware of current water conditions. 
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GMOs: Should We Grow Them?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
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A River Runs Through It

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars solve an environmental problem on a local river. They use their knowledge of river ecology to develop an action plan. They use river-monitoring equipment to collect river- monitoring data, including biological, physical,...
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The Meat-Packing Industry in Chicago During the Progressive Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine maps showing the hog and corn distribution of the United States. In groups, they research the reasons why Chicago became the natural hub for meat-packing processing in the United States. They examine changes in...
Lesson Plan
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Volcanoes In Japan

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the characteristics of volcanoes in this unit. They apply the research to the study of three volcanoes in Japan. They complete mapwork, identify indicators of impending volcanic activity, and describe the dangers...
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Trade and the Global Economy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the role of trade and a global economy. As a class, they identify the costs and benefits of trade and how it is being questioned in today's society. They discover what is imported to the United States and the role of...
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Smokey's Message

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students list and discuss positive and negative effects of wildland fire. They discuss relationships among ecosystems and fire. They participate in role-playing activities related to wildland fire management.
Lesson Plan
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Hypoxia and the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the causes of hypoxia, the characteristics of a watershed, and how the actions and management practices of people can both negatively and positively affect aquatic ecosystems.
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Can You Swim in Chocolate Water?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discss water pollution and its affects on animals. They watch a demonstration using a plastic fish in a fish bowl in which various types of water pollution are illustrated.
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Pooling Around

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students complete a unit of lessons on computing area and volume. They play a Jeopardy game of basic area formulas, calculate surface area of shapes, develop a Powerpoint presentation, and conduct a simulation of finding the surface area...
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Where The Wild Things Are

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders brainstorm where they think wild things exist. Then using the same strategy they discuss natural surroundings from using prior life experience. This part of the lesson can also be done with using a nature hike. Students...
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Agriculture - It Doesn't Just Happen

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the role of the US Department of Agriculture. For this United States Agriculture lesson, 6th graders create maps with sites and specialty areas. Students create a presentation on the topic they were given to...
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The Benefits of Biodiversity

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Pupils examine the concept of biodiversity. They toss coins to determine what traits mouse parents have and the babies traits as well. They predict what would happen to the baby mice if the traits of the parents were different.
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Invention Project

For Teachers 5th - Higher Ed
Students study air pollution and design inventions to prevent indoor environment problems. In this air pollution inventions instructional activity, students read about and discuss famous inventors and inventions. Students then research...
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A River Ran Through It

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research how water is used to generate electricity. They investigate water's potential-to-kinetic energy transfer in hands-on activities about falling water and waterwheels. They take measurements, calculate averages and graph...
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Deck of Word Cards

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Young scholars study vocabulary words associated with indoor air quality. In this air quality lesson, students participate in a word card game where they write sentences for the vocabulary words given. Young scholars then check the...
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Indoor Air Quality

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars make a work puzzle using air quality vocabulary. In this air quality vocabulary lesson, students design a word puzzle using a teacher designated number of vocabulary words. They peer edit the puzzles with their classmates.
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Understanding the Indoor Environment: Word Walls

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students study vocabulary words about indoor air quality. In this indoor environment lesson, students create a word wall with vocabulary words about indoor air quality and pollutants.