National Wildlife Federation
Plastic in the Sea
How much plastic do people use? Class members identify how plastic is involved in their daily lives by looking at food packaging either at a grocery store or at home. Learners view statistics for the amount of plastics found on a beach...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Can We Absorb Nanoparticle Pollutants?
Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there! A growing concern for environmental scientists is toxic nanoparticles in our air and water. Young scholars conduct an experiment to demonstrate how these particles can cross our...
Marine Institute
Water Pollution
Sixth graders investigate the various types of pollutants found in water and ways to help prevent water pollution. Through a hands-on experiment, young scholars create samples of polluted water by mixing water with vegetable oil, dirt,...
Curated OER
Turning the Tide on Trash: Marine Debris Curriculum
Seven pages of fascinating reading on marine debris preface the activities in this lesson plan. Four different activities are employed to simulate how the debris is distributed in the ocean and along beaches. Early ecology learners...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle and Sources of Pollution
Students make an island that has a construction site on it. They spill siulated pollution and trash on top of the island and then water it to simulate rain. They will observe how the rain washes dirt, sand, and pollution off the island...
NOAA
Build Your Own Ocean Ecosystem
Hold the sea in the palm of your hand! Amateur oceanographers work together to create models of an ocean ecosystem in the sixth and final installment in a series. Raise awareness of global ocean health issues through guided research,...
Curated OER
Ocean Pollution
Students explore ocean pollution. In this ecology lesson, students view a video entitled This Pretty Planet and identify common biodegradable products. Students participate in activities designed to simulate the negative effects of...
Curated OER
Oceans and Coasts
Students explore the topic of marine pollution. They define key vocabulary words, list examples of marine pollution, complete a true/false handout, read an article, and participate in a class discussion.
Curated OER
Ocean Pollution & its Effect on Aquatic Animals
Students consider the concept of ocean pollution. In this ocean lesson, students participate in a hands-on demonstration in order to replicate an oil spill and its effects on marine life.
Curated OER
Water Pollution
Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.
NOAA
Stressed Out!
Are our oceans really suffering due to the choices humans make? The sixth and final installment in the volume of activities challenges research groups to tackle one of six major topics that impact ocean health. After getting to the...
Curated OER
It's Really Heating Up in Here!
Students create and observe a greenhouse effect model and discuss the implications of global warming theory for engineers, themselves and the Earth. They discover that Global warming is becoming an increasing concern as we learn more...
Curated OER
Aquatic Habitat Water Quality Experiment
Fifth graders discuss the importance of water quality for humans and fish and make predictions about what happens to water that is polluted. In small groups, they conduct experiments to compare and contrast water that is unpolluted and...
Curated OER
Oil on the Beach
Young scholars explore how oil pollutes the oceans. In this science lesson, students investigate various materials that could be used to clean up an oil spill. Young scholars discuss which materials worked best and how humans can reduce...
Curated OER
Rubber Duckies and Ocean Currents
Learners explore marine life by conducting a rubber duck experiment. In this water currents lesson, students practice identifying latitude and longitude coordinates on a map and define the currents of major oceans. Learners discuss the...
Curated OER
Great Lakes at Stake
Students explore conservation of the Great Lakes. In this geography and ecology lesson plan, students identify the Great Lakes on a map and view a video depicting the history and importance of these lakes. Students work in groups to...
Curated OER
Fish Hazards
Students study the Pacific salmon and see the different challenges they face. In this environment lesson students complete several activities that show how humans have affected the salmon environment. These activities have varying...
Curated OER
Ocean Pollution
Students study their role in eliminating ocean pollution and helping keep the oceans clean. In this environmental issues lesson, students define pollution and brainstorm examples of ocean pollution. Students define biodegradable and...
Teach Engineering
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of several garbage patches around the world where garbage accumulates naturally. As part of a GIS unit that combines oceanography, environmental science, and life science, class members investigate...
Curated OER
Oceanic Absorption- Oceanic Sequestration
Students examine the techniques that may be used to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In this pollution activity students simulate oceanic sequestration using chemistry.
Curated OER
Oceanic Absorption- Oceanic Sequestration
Students examine the different techniques that may be used to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In this ocean pollution lesson students divide into groups and complete a lab to see how the ocean holds carbon dioxide.
Curated OER
Desalination: Creating a Solar Still
To better understand how solar power can aid in creating desalinated drinking water, the class creates a model still. They will build a model of a solar still, make observations, and discuss how the process works. While the idea behind...
Curated OER
Lesson Six
Students investigate the importance of ocean resources and what humans need to do to maintain a healthy ocean. In this oceans lesson students participate in an activity after viewing a PowerPoint presentation on the Earth's Waters.
Curated OER
Responsible Stewardship: The Saving of the Great Lakes
Students devise a plan to protect the Great Lakes. In this environmental lesson plan, students conduct research to identify nonprofit groups that help protect the waterways. Students write letters to the Congressman or a nonprofit...