Teach Engineering
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
A series on environmental engineering introduces the class to issues that environmental engineers work to solve. This first lesson focuses on air and land issues, and looks at ways to reduce pollution.
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Health, Pollution, and Safety: Why Should We Care?
Students examine the impact of reducing the carbon dioxide emissions. They identify ways alternative fuels can lessen the effect of emissions on communities. Working in teams they conduct research from various community and Internet...
Teach Engineering
You've Got to See it to Believe It!
Youngsters develop an understanding of how smog is produced, and how exhaust from automobiles is one of the major sources of smog. They explore the roles that engineers play in developing technologies that reduce smog, then work in teams...
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Barriers to Change: The Myths about Vehicle Idling
Students have the opportunity to confront some of the most common misconceptions that surround vehicle idling, and employ the concept of social marketing to initiate change. The goal is to give students an appreciation of the impact of...
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Earn Points with Technology
Students explore renewable energy by analyzing a diagram. In this fossil fuel lesson plan, students view a chart explaining the different energy consumption from automobiles and how they impact our environment. Students analyze a point...
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Permit Trading
Emerging environmentalists work in groups and pretend that each is a power company generating electricity for a community. They consider the costs of building a renewable electricity generator that will increasingly replace generating...
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MOBILITY, Traveling Lightly: What’s My Footprint?
Students calculate their carbon footprint. In this environmental technology lesson, students listen to a lecture on climate change. Students brainstorm solutions to reduce environmental impact based on travel options. Students calculate...
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The Air We Breathe
Students discover the cuases of pollution. They investigate different pollutants that exist. Stsudents research technologies developed by engineers to reduce the amounts of air pollution. Upon completion of assigned activities,...
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The Efficient City
Middle schoolers research and create a realistic plan for energy efficiency. In this investigative lesson students answer questions and fill out a worksheet on energy.
Deliberating in a Democracy
Global Climate Change
Students examine an environmental issue. In this global studies lesson plan, students read an article entitled, "Global Climate Change," and respond to the discussion questions that accompany it.
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Turn off your Engines!
Learners explore how idling vehicles contribute to the greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. They conduct a survey of idling in their community. Students calculate and develop corresponding graphs of the carbon dioxide produced...
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Climate Change & Coral Activities
Students study how the ocean stabilizes our planet's climates and how global warming is becoming a threat to this fine balance. In this climate change lesson, students identify that fossil fuel emissions are responsible for...
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How Much Energy Do You Use?
Students take a survey of energy-consuming appliances in their homes and calculate the daily cost of operating these machines. They identify those appliances that consume the most energy and consider ways to reduce the amount of energy...
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The Awful Eight
Students investigate the concept of a carpool and its contributions to either reducing or increasing air pollution. They conduct research using a variety of resources for background information. The information is used to write a play...
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The Awful Eight Lesson Plan
The pupils list major air pollutants, what causes them, and their effects on people and the environment. Students list ways they can prevent or reduce the types of air pollution mentioned in the play.
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On Thinning Ice: An eco-theatre production about climate change
Students investigate the causes and possible consequences of climate change in the north, and realize their choices and actions can help reduce climate change. Some of the skills involved in the lesson are discussion, synthesis,...
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Calculating Your Travel GHGs
Young scholars calculate the amount of greenhouse gases they produce in a given day. Using an equation, they determine the emissions for different sized vehicles and calculate the amount resulting from a family vacation. They create a...
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Auditing the Energy-Guzzlers in Your Home
Students identify the energy sources in their community as renewable or non-renewable resources. Using their homes, they identify the types of energy they use to heat and power it. They calculate the amount of electricity used by each...
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Tread Lightly
Students investigate the use of carbon fuels and how they effect the environment. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used from the reading to calculate one's personal influence upon the environment.
National Wildlife Federation
Quantifying Land Changes Over Time in Areas of Deforestation and Urbanization
Is qualitative or quantitative research more convincing when it comes to climate change? In the eighth lesson during this 21-part series, scholars begin by performing a quantitative analysis of deforestation and urbanization. Then, they...
National Wildlife Federation
I’ve Got the POWER Wind Energy Potential at Your School
The 20th lesson in a 21-part series connects the wind data and expectations of a turbine to whether such devices should be built in your area. Scholars begin with estimating the wind potential at school by using long-term climate...
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The Kyoto Protocol: What Should We Do?
Students examine why the United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol. They develop their own opinion on the Protocol and share them with the class. They also discover how scientific data may be organized to use in a debate.
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Power Generation
High schoolers examine energy issues. In this environmental stewardship lesson plan, students discuss nuclear power options. High schoolers also discuss energy consumption and create energy reduction guides for students their own age....
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America's Energy Future
Students write a proposal to save energy resources. In this energy lesson, students research nuclear energy, coal power, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy. Students then debate energy issues and share...