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,...

Students examine different types of land use by humans and evaluate the ways land is used in their local community. They also consider the environmental effects of the different types of land use. Students assume the role of community...

How's the weather today? Elementary and middle schoolers plan severe weather awareness day in this lesson on research presentations. They present their research reports, along with their action plan and any other associated products...

A person in the US uses 20 times more energy than a person in India—that's a drastic difference! The final lesson in the 12-part series goes back to the initial energy audits, analyzes which room showed the most conservation of energy,...

Fourth graders plant a tree. In this sustainable forestry lesson, 4th graders define community forest and brainstorm a location to plant a new tree on the school grounds. Students learn how to plant a tree and discuss choosing an...

Scholars investigate an issue associated with food systems and design their own solutions. Working collaboratively, they follow each step in the design process to complete the 10th lesson plan of the 13-part Our Hungry Planet series.

Fifth graders brainstorm the relationship between trees and humans to determine how humans benefit from trees and how they benefit from us. They discuss oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, soil stablization, animal habitat, shade, medicine...

Thoroughly written, this plan walks you through every detail of having your high school astronomers design scale models of the solar system. Complete instructions on building to scale, instructional activity procedures, and associated...

Students interview the school custodian to get information about the trash found in the school community.  In this trash instructional activity, students work in groups to analyze the content of a waste basket, see where the trash...

Who keeps animals safe? Who keeps us safe? Discover the helpers that make learning and growing possible through a medley of activities that focus on habitats—ours and those in the rainforest. Scholars are asked to identify one...

Students understand the importance of participating in recycling and clean-up efforts in the community. In this recycling lesson, students respond to questions after reading "The Wartville Wizard" by Don Madden. Students articulate...

Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students learn the importance of recycling as they explore how things can be reused or recycled again and again.

Second graders study the environment by reading and discuss information on pollution in the texts. In this environment lesson students read Wicker School Takes Action, and  City Green and discuss what we do with our trash. ...

First graders explore the five senses. In this five senses lesson, 1st graders use digital cameras to take pictures of things in nature they can hear, smell, see, taste or touch. Students create a slideshow and present to the...

Learners study the HIV virus and how it has impacted the hispanic community.  In this infectious disease lesson students discover how HIV/Aids is found all over the world, what misconceptions are out there and what kinds of...

First graders investigate the use of energy resources in the community. Using the tools of research and surveys in order to gather information about home and business energy usage they analyze the information in order to come up with...

In this native plants at school -- a garden landscape project worksheet, students design the landscape for a school garden by identifying native plants, creating a presentation and creating a plot plan within the budget.  This page...

Students discover the dangers posing our environment.  In this environmental awareness lesson, students investigate problems like global warming and pollution and discuss ways their generation can solve these issues.  Students...

Thirsty plants soak up every bit of a rainfall, but what happens to the rain that hits the roof? Calculate the amount of rainwater from your school's roof with an Earth science activity, which brings measurement skills, observation...

Can turning on the television lead to toxins in the food supply? The lesson offers an opportunity for young scientists to complete guided research. A worksheet lists each question as well as the web page necessary to answer the question....

Build a bridge to learning in a STEM-aligned unit about urban infrastructure. Young engineers explore the many aspects of civil planning and design in a five-day unit. Content includes the challenging aspects of balancing building with...

Where does our garbage go? What is the difference between a recyclable and non-recyclable item? Pose these important, but often overlooked, questions to your class and invite them to consider the lasting and damaging effects of the...

Students identify qualities of clean water which will develop an awareness of people in the community who keep our water clean. This activity has a literature tie-in with the "Magic School Bus" series.

Students identify qualities of clean water and develop an awareness of people in the community who keep our water clean.