Curated OER
Teaching the Tragedy of the Commons: Natural Resource Depletion
You can help your students understand resource depletion with simple activities that highlight the idea of the tragedy of the commons.
Curated OER
The Energy Grab Game
Eighth graders explore the scarcity of energy resources. They also explore the competition for natural resources and the inadequate distribution of natural wealth among the Earth's nations.
Curated OER
Flying the Friendly Skies
Students discover the power of wind by flying a glider. In this weather instructional activity, students describe their thoughts on wind and practice using weather related vocabulary. Students construct model gliders in class...
Forest Foundation
Nature's Treasure Chest
Renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. As part of their study of the forest ecosystem, class members read "Nature's Treasure Chest" about the many products made from trees and then craft their own recycled paper.
Curated OER
Pesticide Watch Card
Students examine human health by identifying dangerous pesticides. In this agriculture lesson, students research the food production system in the United States and discuss dangers such as pesticides, chemicals and insecticides which...
Curated OER
Renewable Energy Sources
Place learners into groups to research and present different renewable energy sources. As individuals listen to the class presentations, they take notes and then write a persuasive article defending the form of energy that they feel...
Curated OER
Energy Source Web Quest
Students research an energy source and create a Power Point presentation to share with the class. In this energy sources lesson plan, students are assigned an energy source to research. They use the Internet to research the source and...
Curated OER
Ethanol
Young scholars explore how to fuel cars with corn and then test different items to explore the process of fermentation.
Curated OER
Rainforest Resources
Students explore products of the rainforest. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students discover the resources that the rainforest holds and examine products from the rainforest used around the world.
Curated OER
We are the World - Writing about our Earth
First graders write facts about the Earth. In this Earth lesson, 1st graders discuss natural resources, recycling, and how to keep the Earth clean. They work in groups to create a small book with 3-5 facts about the Earth's environment.
Curated OER
To Renew, or Not to Renew
Students explore the various types of renewable energy. After reading articles, they discover the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. They also explore the challenges to switch over to using more and more renewable energy...
Curated OER
Collaboration and Communication Tools-1
Students use telecommunications and online resources to participate in activities that develop solutions outside the classroom. They use email attachments and FAX to send their finished letters describing why people should or should not...
Curated OER
Simulation: Yum, Yum Trees Simulation: Yum Yum Trees Conservation of Resources
Young scholars weigh the uses of the yum yum tree against the problem of conserving them. In this conservation lesson, groups of students discuss and make suggestion to conserve the yum, yum trees. Young scholars apply knowledge to...
Curated OER
GARBAGE 1: THE ROOTS OF TRASH
Students identify the various natural resources used to produce common items; to explain how people use science and technology to produce those items.
Curated OER
Renewable Energy Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol
Students examine the role photosynthesis plays in plant survival. In this renewable energy lesson students document their observations and analyze and interpret their results.
Curated OER
Energy Source Puzzles
Students identify renewable and nonrenewable resources. For this energy source lesson, students participate in a game to identify the various types of resources. There are various extensions to this lesson, such as tic-tac-toe and memory...
Curated OER
So Many Cookies...So Much Packaging
Students explore the way packaging is used in the distribution of goods. In this packaging lesson, students investigate how packaging is used, what resources are used to make it and ways it can be recycled.
Curated OER
Making a Mini-Landfill
Students examine the materials that comprise the products they use. Students describe whether these materials are renewable or nonrenewable resource. Students observe what happens to materials when placed in a landfill.
Discovery Education
Wind Power
How do engineers turn something that is readily available, like wind, into energy? Scholars create a prototype of a wind turbine and attach it to a motor. They test out their prototypes and decide on their effectiveness. They also...
Wild BC
Greenhouse Gas Guzzlers
Teams of six to eight players imagine that they are driving in a vehicle and collect balls that represent carbon dioxide emissions based on their different activities. "Greenhouse Gas Guzzler" cards tell teams how many balls to collect...
Curated OER
US Energy Geography
The maps display the statistics for energy consumption and power production, state by state. They are tremendous visual aids for your natural resources unit. Consider having your class compare energy consumption versus production, or...
Forest Foundation
Waste Not - Want Not
Recycling is the focus in the sixth of a nine-lesson series devoted to forest ecosystems. Class members read an article about the responsible use of natural resources and ways to reduce land fill.
Curated OER
Forest Stewardship
Pupils define the term forest stewardship and they identify good forest stewardship practices. They are asked:"Does anyone enjoy spending time in the woods?" Students identify techniques of practicing good forest stewardship (taking care...
Curated OER
Roving Reporter
Learners write a report about energy use. In this conservation lesson plan, students interview adults about their use of renewable and nonrenewable energy. Learners synthesize this information and write a report from the point of view of...