Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse Gas Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare the ability of a sample of carbon dioxide gas to absorb thermal energy compared to a sample of air. They build a visual representation of the greenhouse effect to illustrate the heat-absorption of atmospheric carbon...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse Effect

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students investigate the greenhouse effect. In this environmental lesson, students investigate why the greenhouse effect changes the climate through an experiment. Students use vinegar to simulate how acid damages the environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes you Hot?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers manipulate different variables in a model and make inferences about the temperature on Earth.  In this heat lesson students calculate the blackbody radiation of an object at a certain temperature. 
Interactive
Curated OER

Global Climate Change

For Students 6th - 9th
In this environmental science worksheet, students read and study online resources on global climate change to complete 8 short answer questions on the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Hydrologic Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Learners examine the water cycle. In this hydrologic cycle lesson plan, students follow the provided procedures to demonstrate the how water moves around the planet through the dynamics of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle Adventure

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students take an imaginary journey through the water cycle. For this water cycle lesson, students identify the various parts of the water cycle, listen while their teacher leads them on an imaginary journey through the water cycle, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle and Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore the water cycle. In this investigative lesson, students examine the water cycle process. They will record their observations and discuss marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pangaea Puzzle

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Learners explore plate tectonics and the formations of the Earth's surface and why maps are distorted.  In this Earth's surface lesson students complete a lab and answer questions. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Effects of Storms

For Students 7th - 8th
An excellent way to review a chapter or unit on storms, this worksheet features vocabulary review (gust, evacuation, storm surge, salinity), concept review (effects and details about hurricanes), skills/process review (normal high tide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CO2 and Air Pollution

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders observe and test for the presence of carbon dioxide gas. They compare concentrations of carbon dioxide gas and conclude high concentrations of carbon dioxide gas are unhealthy for human beings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

De"compost"ition

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers develop an understanding of the decomposition process and the parameters which influence the rate at which it occurs.
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Energy: A Day in My Life

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
If only we could harness the energy of fifth graders, our energy problems would be over! The class discusses where different forms of energy come from and how we use them. They complete a chart of the activities that they do daily...
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

How Power Plants Work 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
First of three lessons, this is a great start to a unit on energy. As you demonstrate, learners discover different types of energy and how it is converted from one form to another. They then focus in on the generation of electricity by...
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

How Power Plants Work 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
In this second of three lessons on power plants, future engineers find out how we generate electricity and how coal-powered plants operate. They work in small groups to make electromagnet generators to light LED bulbs. A set of...
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

How Power Plants Work 3

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble! Find out what drives a turbine to generate electricity and whether or not it has an impact on the environment. A discussion and lecture is divided by a hands-on activity in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse in a Bottle

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young atmospheric scientists create models of an atmosphere with and without clouds to determine the effect of cloud cover on Earth's temperatures, as well as figuring out whether dark or light surfaces absorb more energy. You may wish...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Lesson 2

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners identify the elements that make up the earth's weather. Begin by having students pretend they are hiking along a mountain ridge. It's been sunny and warm all day, but you see a dark line of clouds moving from the west.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloudy vs. Clear

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners analyze line plots. In this weather lesson using real NASA data, students discuss how weather affects the way the Earth is heated by comparing different line plots.
Interactive
Curated OER

Commonly Confused Words - Quiz 22

For Students 3rd - 8th
Pupils of all ages will benefit from this online quiz. As long as they have intermediate to advanced English proficiency, this resource is appropriate for them. There are 20 sentences, and the quiz-taker must choose the correct word for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Micro-Climate

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Atmosphere aces investigate the microclimates that exist within a larger area. They use a thermometer to record the varying temperatures and identify the microclimates on a map that they have drawn. This exercise helps them to understand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's it Like Inside the Sun?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students perform experiment in which they model convection as it occurs in our Sun. They also explain that convection acts where the effect of gravity and heat are present (low density fluids can rise and cool, and high density fluids...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy Debate - Conclusion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars write a persuasive essay about the choices in the energy debate. They comprehend the environmental consequences that accompany the decision. Students predict how they will power their future.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy Debate - Sea Level Rise

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students comprehend the impact of global warming on our coastal cities. They appreciate how geographic information systems can be used to represent scientific data. Students research the melting of the ice caps in Antarctica and the Arctic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biomes: Extreme Climate

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners create a web connecting global warming, the Arctic, and wold climate. They write a paragraph explaining the role of the Arctic in world climate.