Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lesson of the Kaibab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers plot the Kaibab deer population from 1905 to 1939 and analyze the changes over time. In this populations lesson plan, students investigate the causes of changing populations of the Kaibab deer and they find the carrying...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beluga Balancing Act

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study beluga whale populations and the issues they face.  In this beluga lesson students compare the issues that the whales are facing and name ways people can help.
Interactive
Curated OER

Ecology Community Status

For Students 7th - 8th
In this ecology community status instructional activity, students research their state's ecosystem, make a chart of the biodiversity, analyze the chart and identify issues with wetland species.  This page has several links to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Jellybean Hunt

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore natural selection and its influence on the populations to fine tune traits and characteristics. The acquisition of traits developed out of need is examined through a game played in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mountain Pine Beetles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research and develop power point presentations that answer the question, "What is changing our forests?" In this ecology lesson, students research the niche of Pine Beetles and their increased effect on the forests in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Receding Waters

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars explore the effect of environmental factors on ecosystems.  In this wildlife and ecology lesson, students identify and describe the stages in a frog's life cycle. Young scholars participate in a simulation...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Standard 4 Review-Human Impact

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this human impact on the environment worksheet, students fill in the blanks to complete sentences about how humans have negatively affected the environment. They complete sentences about the actions taken to reduce and repair the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biomimicry, Nature: Architecture of the Future

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the relationship between nature and architecture. In this cross curriculum history, culture, and architecture lesson plan, students observe and discuss structures visible in nature. Students view websites in which Native...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dibble Pond Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students collect specimen and analyze it. In this biology activity, students analyze and evaluate the diversity found in specific environment. They use the correct terminology as they do their write up for the experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Webs in the Bay

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners get acquainted with a type of ecosystem and how different organisms of that ecosystem compete with one another for resources. They analyze the submerged aquatic vegetation of a bay ecosystem. Students study plants.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Population Dynamics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover how organisms are dependent on one another for survivial. They also discuss how to conserve natural resources. They compare and contrast the different types of symbiotic relationships as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Must We Shoot Bambi?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the deer population. For this environmental lesson, students participate in a hands-on activity to better understand the concept of controlling the deer population.
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Succession

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The final lesson in a two-part series prompts scholars to create newspaper articles and succession events. Applying their knowledge of the ecosystem and the past examples of succession, they predict what will happen in the future...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of "Pillbugs"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define vocabulary terms, identify the characteristics of a pillbug, and create a dichotomous key. Then they examine the pillbugs and make observations and record these observations. Finally, 5th graders observe specific...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Go with the Flow

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How does nature's hierarchy relate to our local human environment? Answer this question, along with others, as the class visually depicts the natural hierarchy provided by nature. Pupils discuss each piece of the pyramid and its energy...
Lesson Plan
ARKive

Human Impact on the Environment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Study the ways that humans have impacted the environment, particularly the spread of plastic waste. After watching a short film about the Laysan albatross population, learners complete a worksheet and research other ways that plastic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wetland vs. Stream Macroinvertebrates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A link to a comprehensive macroinvertebrate guide gives you the information needed to prepare for this field study activity. Sample macroinvertebrates are collected from areas representing different environmental conditions. Junior...
Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

Touring the Poles

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Would you want to vacation in the Arctic or Antarctic regions? Scholars research both regions and produce a travel brochure trying to convince tourists to visit. The project focuses on the geography, climate, flora, fauna, and indigenous...
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 1: WildCam Gorongosa

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Take a walk on the wild side! Episode one of an eight-part series of interactive lessons regarding Gorongosa National Park invites learners to become a part of the citizen science community. Scholars read a brief overview of the trail...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carrying Capacity of Ecosystems

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars define population and carrying. For this algebra lesson, students explore exponential growth and decay based on animals and things that grow or decrease exponentially. They graph their findings and discuss their results as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impacts of Human Activities on Biodiversity in New Haven County

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students discover how plants and animal ecosystems are affected by the growth of a city. In this ecology lesson, students study and observe a plant over a period of time. They develop a creative presentation of their data and share them...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living Organisms as Indicators of Pollutants in Fresh Water Ecosystems

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners observe the effects of pollution on living organisms. In this pollution lesson plan, students observe fresh water Hydra and look at their structures and movement. They place samples of pond and lake water on the Hydra and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Connecticut Wildlife: Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Our Vertebrate Populations

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the different types of vertebrates found in their area. In this environmental science lesson plan, students perform a case study on the Common Raven. They analyze data collected from research and create charts and graphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecological Succession in Pond Water Cultures

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students collect samples of pond water, dried grass, and soil in a jar. They predict the order of ecological succession in their pond water cultures. They compare their expected results with their observed results.