Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strength of Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Straining out the Dirt

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design and construct a water filter using activated carbon, cotton and other materials to remove chocolate powder from water. They test and record their observations, and complete a KWL chart.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Retention and Soil Variation in Local Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the differences in local soil types and the relationship between soil size and water retention. They are introduced to microenvironmental conditions in ecosystem sustainability.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FRED the FISH

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Pupils engage in the study of the human impact on environmental systems (specifically rivers). This lesson plan enhances Students' exploration of a variety of themes or topics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbiology Design Challenge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover dangers to human health by researching what's in our drinking water.  In this water purification lesson, students discuss the conditions of water in undeveloped countries and why it is unsafe to drink....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bucket Brigade

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students participate in a physical fitness activity about water. In this water conservation lesson, students discuss how to conserve water and the amount of water most people use in a day. To illustrate this amount students move 70...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quest

For Teachers K - 5th
Students visit the Hydrology Study Site, conduct a visual survey to discover info about local land use and water quality, and document their findings by mapping the water body. They use this investigation to raise questions for further...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Walk

For Teachers K - 5th
Students follow the appropriate sampling protocol and take two measurements of a local water source. These measurements are Transparency and Temperature. This info about local land use and/or water chemistry issues may require further...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oh Deer!"

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners explore the essential components of a habitat, which is food, water, and shelter. They end the lesson by paying the Oh Deer! game.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swamps, Shrimp, and Tsunamis: A Simulation of Sustainable Development Issues in Coastal Ecuador

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Build Your Own Aquifer

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Ever wondered how an aquifer works? Introduce your class to the amazing way many people get water by exploring how underground aquifers work. Two fun hands-on activities are used to help kids understand what an aquifer is, how it works,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community Action

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders decide how one uses resources within a particular bioregion.  In this decision making lesson, 5th graders consider the biodiversity and complexity of the ecosystem.  Students select a resource (water, paper,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plankton in the Air

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Here is a lab activity adequate for use with any full lesson plan on environmental factors that shape animal adaptations or marine animal characteristics. Pupils will discuss the role plankton plays in the environment and filter-feeding...
Lesson Plan
BBC

Rivers

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
The water cycle, rainfall, and the flow of water into rivers then out into the ocean are the main ideas covered here. After a teacher-led discussion and activity, learners pair off and write a commentary about the water cycle that is to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Assessing Risks for Inhalation and Ingestion of Pollutants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars use a hypothetical scenario to investigate inhalation of an airborne pollutant and ingestion of a waterborne pollutant. They work in pairs, investigating differences in overall exposure to contaminants by calculating...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Long Island Beach Life

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Have your class learn about marine life through this resource. This comprehensive lesson has learners discuss marine life, learn key vocabulary, discuss environmental concerns, and play games related to migration and predator/prey...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adventures in Earth Day: Why Do We Care About Our Environment? - Biology Teaching Thesis

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to Earth Day and the importance of this day. They make a collage, students can use articles, pictures, words, etc., in magazines or newspapers or online, that relate to Earth Day, the environment and environmental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Planet: The Warming of Our Large Lakes - Reasons for Concern

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Another A+ lesson on the impact of climate change comes to you from the National Earth Science Teachers Association. In this installment, learners model the stratification of water in lakes due to temperature differences. The lab also...
Lesson Plan
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Hand Washing Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
An engaging experiment allows scholars to understand why the recommendation is to wash for 20 seconds with soap and water — while making them aware of their own habits! 
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Introducing Ecosystem Services

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Purifying air and water, providing soil in which to grow crops, and moving water through its natural cycle are all services an ecosystem provides that benefit humans. Lesson four in a series lets learners explore and discuss the value of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Planet: Ocean Acidification - the Chemistry is Less than Basic!

For Teachers 7th - 10th
A video and laboratory investigation are highlights to this lesson on acidification of ocean water due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide. Using bromothymol blue (BTB) as an indicator, pupils analyze the amount of carbon dioxide...
Lesson Plan
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Diseases

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
During a cholera outbreak, scientists presented two theories; one theory was based on miasma and the other on germs and contaminated water. The lesson looks at the scientific process for finding the real culprit. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Semipermeable Membranes and Bioaccumulation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Beginning biologists place a drop of food coloring into water of differing temperatures to observe the effect on the diffusion rate. They remove the shells from raw eggs and then experiment with osmosis over the remaining membranes....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World of the Pond

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Field trip! The class will review what they know about organisms that dwell in freshwater ponds, then trek down to the old water hole to collect specimens for examination. This includes several web links, useful tips, and an excellent...