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Water: The Liquid of Life
Sixth graders complete a lesson on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the lesson with a field trip...
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Testing the Waters
Pupils study the quality of water by running chemical tests on the water. First, they measure pH, temperature, phospates, and nitrates in tap (drinking) water and an outdoor water sample. Then they post and evaluate the results of these...
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Water Quality Monitoring
Pupils comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...
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Water Filtration
Young scholars design a filtration system using three filtration materials. In this water filtration lesson plan, students conduct an experiment with their filtration systems. Young scholars present their systems to the...
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Moving without Wheels
Students observe a simple water cycle model to better understand its role in pollutant transport. This activity shows one way in which pollution is affected by the water cycle; it simulates a point source of pollution in a lake and the...
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Not A Drop To Drink
Fifth graders discuss ways that humans pollute our natural water supply. They observe a video about water pollution. Students identify eight different ways water is contaminated. They investigate an oil spill by conducting a hands-on...
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Who's Down the Well?
Students identify several sources of contaminants to groundwater. They discuss the movement of possible contaminants through that groundwater from outside sources. They describe how environmental engineers analyze contaminants to...
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Wide Open Spaces
Students examine the problem of groundwater pollution. In groups, they develop a solution to solve the problem of a local polluted water source. They also practice measuring the space between sediment particles and the rate of water flow.
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Eek, It leaks!
Middle schoolers construct model landfill liners out of two-inch strips of garbage bags within resource constraints. The challenge is to construct a bag that will hold one cup of water without leaking. This represents similar challenges...
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Conserving Electricity: Turn It Off
Second graders explore causes of air pollution and relate them to energy conservation.
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Still Waters
Students construct a still to turn seawater into drinking water. They estimate the cost of distilling it. They investigate ways to make the conversion more efficient. They track the source of their home drinking water and make a map of...
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Lead Contamination In Our Environment
Students identify the sources of lead in their local community and how to prevent further contamination. As a class, they watch a video about the effects of lead on the body and use the internet to discover any new technology that can...
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Particulate Matter: The Lorax
Students explore air pollution. In this ecology lesson, students participate in an experiment in which 5 numbered jar lids are placed outside. Students bring one lid a day in until all jars are inside. Dirt specks are counted, observed,...
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Lentic Ecosystem or Lotic Ecosystem
Young scholars explore the differences between lentic and lotic ecosystems. For this ecology lesson students study the water systems in Pennsylvania.
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Oil on the Beach
Students explore how oil pollutes the oceans. In this science lesson, students investigate various materials that could be used to clean up an oil spill. Students discuss which materials worked best and how humans can reduce oil spills.
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Acid Rain
Students investigate acid rain. In this environmental lesson, students participate in an experiment using litmus paper and various liquids and then test the acidity of the liquids. Students identify reasons why acid is harmful to the...
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The Chesapeake Bay in Captain John Smith's Time
When Captain John Smith visited the Chesapeake Bay in the summer of 1608, what types of animals and habitats did he encounter? Your young historians will analyze primary source documents to answer this question, as well as compare...
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What's Gotten Into You?
Students use models to investigate the process and consequences of water contamination on the land, groundwater, and plants.
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Down By the River
Pupils examine how watersheds work and determine the difference between point and nonpoint source pollution. They research management practices to reduce pollution and investigate how everyone can participate in reducing water pollution.
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Watershed Model
Learners view a presentation of water and land and how we need to protect our water resources. In this water lesson plan, students discuss how we rely on water, and complete activities in all subjects related to water.
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Pollution Solutions
Learners visit a local park to test the quality of the aquatic environments. They search for sources of pollution and examples of pollution control. Based on their obeservations and experiments, they rate their local environment.
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Get to the Point!
Students write out sources of pollution and identify contaminants are most likely found in urban runoff. In this pollution lesson students compare toxicity tests and chemical analysis of potential contaminants.
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Understanding Weather Maps and the Importance of StormT
Students explain how storm tracking is important to understanding sources of acid rain pollution. The read and explain a weather map. They set up plastic or glass collection container for rain in an open area away from buildings and trees.
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Estuary and Watershed
High schoolers investigate the San Francisco Bay Estuarine Research Reserve and watershed. In this estuary and watershed lesson plan, students complete 4 activities to better understand estuarine systems. They include studying the San...