Did you know that California produces two thirds of the fruits and nuts consumed in the United States? That it produces almost one third of the vegetables? Did you know that scientists warn that California is facing the onset of a...

Students explore the need for conserving fresh water and understand that it is a limited supply.  In this water consumption lesson students participate in an activity and answer questions. 

Do you know how much water you have had in the last 24 hours? Do you know how much your body needs? In this hands-on activity, your class members will estimate how much water our bodies lose each day by filling and emptying one-liter...

What effects do temperature and carbon dioxide levels have on the zooplankton of Antarctica? This concluding lesson plan in a short unit on climate change and the ocean helps environmental scientists answer these questions. After...

It's time to increase the heat! Young chemists demonstrate heat transfer and heat capacity in an activity-packed lab, showing the transitions between solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of materials. Individuals plot data as the...

Students use the "No Impact Project" to analyze the consumption of water. In this water consumption lesson plan, students discuss the pros and cons of tap water or bottled water. Students read about chemicals in water and watch a video...

Students create a "water web" to illustrate the interdependence among water users and producers. They distinguish between direct and indirect uses of water; illustrate the interconnectedness of water users in a community; and demonstrate...

Students investigate the water wars taking place in East Africa. In this global issues lesson, students watch video clips and read selected articles about the water shortages in East Africa. Students estimate their own average daily...

In this water desalinization worksheet, students will design and construct their own desalinization plant. Then they will describe how they set up their experiment and if it worked or not.

How does your lifestyle measure up in terms of your ecological footprint? Young ecologists examine their impact on the planet using an insightful online calculator. A short quiz asks users to rank the size of their homes, their energy...

Although the points given on these slides are valid, the visual accessibility is poor. Consequently, many viewers would be distracted or entirely unable to view the presentation.  The content is a review of microorganisms and their...

Fifth graders observe and record what happens when household products are added to a tank of water to depict water pollution. They brainstorm ideas of how to clean the contaminate out of the water before watching demonstrations of...

Students investigate the research report that measures the levels of water usage for Utah. They focus on conservation efforts that are currently being used. They reflect upon their own amount of water usage and research methods of...

Students investigate healthy eating habits by researching livestock. In this food sustainability activity, students research the negative impact factory farming has on our environment due to pollution. Students define agricultural...

Students listen to an explanation of yeast cells and how they effect bread and beer. They discuss the ways alcohol affects the human body and participate in an indirect observation about cell respiration in yeast-molasses cultures.

Students study the environmental issues that pertain to the marine environment. In this research ocean landfills instructional activity students come up with alternative means of disposal. 

Students compare and contrast cellular respiration in yeast and plant and animal cells. After discovering the role of yeast in making beer and bread, they describe the short and long term effects of alcohol on the nervous and digestive...

Fifth graders define terms associated with renewable and nonrenewable resources. They identify materials that are renewable and nonrewable. They categorize a list into the correct type of resource.

Students address four different environmental topics (water issues, the threat of food shortages, human population growth, and global warming) as they watch a film and discuss the future of the earth. In groups, they complete various...

Students get acquainted with a type of ecosystem and how different organisms of that ecosystem compete with one another for resources. They analyze the submerged aquatic vegetation of a bay ecosystem. Students study plants.

Students explore space science by conducting a sun experiment in class. In this time telling lesson, students discuss how the sun sits in our sky at exact times each day and how astronomy is based on our perspective of the solar system....

Students examine the critiques of organic agriculture and its production and marketing approaches.  In this sustainable agriculture lesson students study how the ideas about ethics of the food system are changing. 

Middle schoolers determine the sequential links in a marine food chain and identify the roles that various organisms play in this chain. Students develop charts as visual aids for illustrating marine food chains.

Hold a discussion in your class about the increase in mercury being found in fish that are caught commercially as food for humans. Given a worksheet, learners then calculate how much fish a person can safely eat each month to remain...