Curated OER
Hawaiian Natives Disappear
Young scholars explore parts of the Hawaiian Islands to get a examine the exotic invasion, and see what challenges the natives face in reclaiming their territory. They identify the changes in the environment that have been the hardest on...
Curated OER
Native Plant Research Project
Students study indigenous plants. They examine why they are special, why some might be threatened, by what forces (pollution, habitat destruction), and what else relies on the continued existence of these plants (insects, animals). They...
Georgia Department of Education
Native Americans in Georgia History
Let your learners find out firsthand what hunting and gathering was really like, with a role-play activity they will remember for years. The class researches how indigenous people used plants and animals to survive while respecting and...
University of Wisconsin
Bimodel Botany Bouquet
Gardeners are given an individual plant specimen from a bouquet of local rain garden plants. They group up by their plant type and then make observations together, name the plant, and introduce it to the rest of the class. You then share...
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Desert People and the Saguaro
The saguaro is the focus of an examination of the importance of this stately cactus to the indigenous people in the Sonoran Desert.
Curated OER
Salmon and the Non-Native Species
Students investigate the affect of non-native species on Pacific Salmon. For this non-native species and Pacific Salmon lesson, students participate in a competition and habitat loss game. They play the game in groups, while answering...
Curated OER
Ethnobotany Research Paper
Students are introduce and discuss Ethnobotany and develop their own research writing. Pupils research plants that have already been identifyed as having medicinal or cultural/historical value around the world. They investigate...
Curated OER
People and Plants
Students examine the uses of plants from many different biomes, particularly, rain forests to uncover data about the production of new drugs and the cross-cultural sharing of foods. A rain forest food festival reinforces the concept of...
Curated OER
Xeriscaping In Your Community
Fourth graders participate in a service-learning project. They design landscaping that maximizes water use and utilizes indigenous plant species. Afterward, they advertise and present their xeriscape garden at a school function such as...
Curated OER
Alien Invaders: An Invasive Species Game
Students are introduced to invasive species and how they affect the ecosystems they now occur in. They explore the basic life histories of several invasive species that are of regional and or national importance. Pupils investigate how...
University of New Mexico
New Mexico Land of Enchantment
Third graders research Native American Cultures surrounding New Mexico. They analyze the history and geography of the state. They play a guessing game that incorporates the indigenous plants and animals of New Mexico. In groups, learners...
Curated OER
Invasive Species
Students use the Internet to research non-native plants that exist in their local community. Using this information, they analyze the invasive species effect on their environment. In groups, they plan and execute their own project to...
Curated OER
Pine Rockland Walk
Students take a field trip to the pine rockland area and identify three characteristics. In groups, they research the types of plants native to the area and the effect of non-native plants. To end the instructional activity, they...
Curated OER
Bioregion: Shark Valley Bicycle Ride
Students discuss the importance of the Everglades to the bioregion. In groups, they use the Internet to research the native types of flora and fauna and describe what happens when foreign flora and fauna enters the region. To end the...
Curated OER
Amazon Rainforest
Seventh graders complete a simulation in which they travel through the Amazon rainforest. Using their map skills, they determine the best route and where to see specific plants and animals. They develop their own database to organize...
Curated OER
Xeriscaping In Your Community
Fourth graders participate in a service-learning project to design landscaping that maximizes water use and utilizes indigenous plant species.
Curated OER
Desert Xeriscaping
Students recognize native species of desert vegetation while examining the need for water conservation. They design and create a xeriscape landscape using a variety of materials.
Curated OER
Adapted to Fire
Fourth graders explore forest species' adaptations to fire by participating in a scavenger hunt and mapping a burned forest. Students create maps and explore how indigenous species adapted to living with fire.
Curated OER
Desert Xeriscaping
Seventh graders identify native species of desert vegetation, plan a xeriscape landscape, and recognize the importance of water conservation.
Curated OER
The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Lands
Sixth graders read and discuss background information and brainstorm reasons for wildfires. They use a Venn Diagram to list the similarities and differences between wildfires and prescribed fires and then track the weather forecast for...
Curated OER
What Happens When Invasive Species Are Introduced
Helping students understand the dangers of nonnative species is an important part of ecology and environmental science lessons.
Curated OER
What Would Halloween be Like Without the Ecuadorian Rainforest?
Fourth graders are given a number of typical Halloween treats and work in groups to determine which foods came from the Rainforest (chocolate) and which foods came from temperate regions (apples, popcorn) and treats that don't have...
Curated OER
The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Lands
Students create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast wildfires and prescribed fires. In this earth science lesson, students conduct a series of experiment to explore fire characteristics. They describe favorable conditions to start a...
Curated OER
The Future of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Students research the governments role is preserving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. They discuss the proponents and the opponents side of the issue.