Learners explore the concept of sediment pollution. In this erosion lesson plan, students discuss the process of erosion and determine how sediment pollution affects animals that live in freshwater ecosystems. Learners respond to...

Students explore freshwater ecosystems. In this geography activity, students brainstorm all the lakes and rivers they know then mark them on a map. Students will then mark all the major freshwater resources on each of the seven...

Fourth graders research an ecosystem and its endangered species. They create a PowerPoint Presentation, oral report, poster or a booklet based on their research. They research on the internet and in biology texts in teams of 4.

Students are introduced to the water cycle. They help draw a picture of a lake ecosystem, adding human impacts that affect water quality. Students help fill in the components of a drawing of a water system. At the end of the lesson...

Students explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.

Students compare and contrast the properties of salt water in the oceans/seas and freshwater elsewhere on the planet. They also analyze mixing caused by currents in the ocean, including the effects of warm and cold water as well as with...

In this wetlands activity, students complete a 31 question multiple choice on-line interactive quiz about wetlands. Included are questions about plants, animals and geography.

Robert Hass's article "Rivers and Stories" underscores the importance of rivers in the development of civilization and the importance of reclaiming supposedly dead rivers and implementing policies that protect river health. Groups...

What caused the collapse of the environment on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)? Who constructed the Moai? What was their purpose? Class members assume the role of investigators and use evidence drawn from field studies, ships' logs, and...

Students search for clues given a map and a GPS. In this technology activity, students solve a puzzle using the clues they gathered in the activity. They write a short reflection about the activity.

It's a shame that there are no photographs in this presentation because the information is fascinating! Each identically fashioned slide contains bullet points of information about Antarctica that will enhance an earth science...

Sixth graders complete a five-week unit investigating the eight major biomes of South America. They conduct Internet research, collect short-term and long-term climate data, and create a HyperStudio slideshow stack about a selected biome...

Students are explained that the Florida Everglades are in danger. They explore the characteristics of the Florida Everglades. Students investigate about ways they can help protect the Florida Everglades. They are shown where Florida is...

Students follow the journey that water takes in aquifers and springs. They write about the major threats to the aquifer and the solutions to these threats.

Healthy riparian areas have much higher levels of biodiversity than other types of ecosystems, as explained in this fact sheet. Unfortunately, this also attracts more people, which can contribute to degradation of the ecosystem if the...

United Nations Division for Sustainable Development covers issues ranging from Agriculture to Waste. This site offers documents and action plan implementation for sustainable development of the earth's natural resources.

A look at Canada's Boreal Forest ecosystem. One of the largest ecosystems in the world, it provides abundant fresh water for North America and is home to many species of wildlife, for example, wolves and caribou. There is also discussion...

Pocosins are naturally occurring freshwater evergreen shrub bogs or wetlands of the southeastern coastal plains. In 1962 pocosins still covered nearly 2.25 million acres in North Carolina-accounting for almost three-quarters of the...

The Great Lakes include, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. These lakes form the largest fresh water system on earth and they are North America's greatest natural resource. Learn about the different lakes, how they formed,...