Curated OER
Biotechnology: An Agricultural Dilemma
Learners investigate the types of genetically modified crop plants there are and the benefits and risks of such plants. The agricultural needs in developing nations for this biological knowledge to resolve societal issues is also...
Curated OER
Totally Termites
Young scholars explore the world of termites, their adaptations, and anatomy. They examine the property risks of termites and how pest control professionals manage termite problems.
Curated OER
Perceived Overweight and Actual Weight Risk Classification
Students calculate their BMI and compare it to a healthy weight chart. In this health lesson, students compare the perception of overweight with healthy weight charts. Students interpret collected data and evaluate their own weight...
Curated OER
More Harm Than Good?
Young scholars explore the controversial 'harm reduction' approach to drug use and debate the various sides to this approach.
Curated OER
Family Diversification
In this Family Diversification learning exercise, students answer questions about theories of family roles and functions in society.
Curated OER
Is All The Hype For The Birds?
Learners discuss the threats and risks involved with the bird flu and whether or not the hype associated with it is justified. They read at least three more articles about the bird flu on their own.
Curated OER
Killer Coal
Students explore some of the environmental health risks involved with both the mining and burning of coal. They read articles on coal in the Balkan Peninsula, view the photographs, and then discuss what feelings and thoughts they have...
Curated OER
The First Televised War
Young scholars view a film about the role of the media in the Vietnam War. They discuss the risks journalists face when covering a war and how the television changed how people at home saw the war. They answer questions to complete the...
Curated OER
Power, Pollution, Pros and Cons
High schoolers review what they know about non-renewable energy, compare and contrast advantages and drawbacks of each type, such as cost of energy sources, feasibility, air pollution, water pollution, and other risks, and create table...
Beyond Benign
Puzzler
Are some packaging materials superior to others? Using sustainability as a guide, scholars analyze different packing materials to describe their life cycles. They create puzzles to communicate their findings.
Curated OER
Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?
Interesting! Have your high schoolers watch this 13-minute clip from the documentay, "Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?" It examines the fear we have as a culture about death and whether or not the media increases those fears. The focus...
Curated OER
Close Encounters
Students investigate the cause of death of a fictitious school janitor. They develop hypotheses based on information discovered by examining the labels of household chemicals.
Curated OER
Genetic Testing: Road Map or Crystal Ball?
After looking at the many aspects of the issues behind genetic testing, high schoolers are exposed to the pros and cons and must take a stand by writing a position paper. They will view the "Who Gets to Know?" video and/or reading case...
Curated OER
How Toxic Is It?
Students participate in an activity in which they investigate the scientific method and seed germination as well as practice graphing and metric measuring skills. Students examine toxicity by exposing Wisconsin Fast Plants seeds to toxic...
Curated OER
Sources of Potential Groundwater Contamination
Students construct models that demonstrate potential sources of contamination. Students select one type of contamination model (septic system, sinkhole, landfill, disposal lagoon, leaky barrels, oil spill, agricultural contamination) to...
Curated OER
Online Behavior: Privacy and Ethics
Over the course of three classes, tech-saturated youth review their cyber portraits, map their virtual lives, examine their relative anonymity, and establish a "virtual conscience" to guide choices that foster privacy protection and...
New South Wales of Education and Communities
Developing My Personal Safety Plans
As part of a health unit on personal safety, partners work together to develop personal safety plans for specific situations they might faced in the future.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Faces of Climate Change
Sometimes, the best solution to a problem can be found by walking in someone else's shoes. Here, scholars use character cards to take on the roles of people around the world. They determine how their character's life affects our...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Faces of Climate Change
You know global warming is real when your squirrel feeder is full of popped corn instead of kernels! Activity two in a series of five allows learners to explore climate change through the eyes of another. After briefly analyzing their...
New South Wales of Education and Communities
Strategies to Support Safety Plans
Awareness, Avoidance, Distancing. Class members consider the types of protective strategies that would be appropriate in particular situations.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Introducing Ecosystem Services
Purifying air and water, providing soil in which to grow crops, and moving water through its natural cycle are all services an ecosystem provides that benefit humans. Lesson four in a series lets learners explore and discuss the value of...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Introducing Ecosystem Services
Ecosystems provide many things humans not only use but also need in order to survive. The last instructional activity in the series of seven introduces scholars to the idea of ecosystem services, that ecosystems provide humans with many...
Scholastic
The Science of Marijuana—How THC Affects the Brain
Marijuana can affect every part of a user's life—starting with the delicate nervous centers of the brain. An informative article and worksheet prompt teenagers to learn more about how the THC found in most forms of marijuana can...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Putting on Armor
Middle schoolers learn how to protect themselves from risky behaviors with a instructional activity that has them role play several scenarios and demonstrate ways that they might do to stay safe. Class members then use what they have...