Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Microcosms in the Biosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In a series of lessons, examine the impact on humans by microcosms in the biosphere. Among the plans structured for young scholars with different abilities and learning styles, are activities describing the symbiotic relationship,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clean, Green Power

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore and discuss alternative energy sources, and identify disadvantages of current fossil fuels.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waste Watchers

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Energy-aware learners conduct an audit on their electricity usage by recording their electric meter reading and assessing the thermostat, light bulbs, windows, and water heaters in their homes. In class, they analyze results and discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honduras Finding the Top Bananas

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders complete an online scavenger hunt about banana cultivation before they visit a grocery store to examine banana products. They investigate "certified" means in relation to banana production and read the "Rainforest Alliance...
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

How Power Plants Work 3

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble! Find out what drives a turbine to generate electricity and whether or not it has an impact on the environment. A discussion and lecture is divided by a hands-on activity in...
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

How Power Plants Work 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
In this second of three lessons on power plants, future engineers find out how we generate electricity and how coal-powered plants operate. They work in small groups to make electromagnet generators to light LED bulbs. A set of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Language Arts: How Can Research Shape Ideas?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to characterize arsenic and determine its potential health threats in writing. They are able to compare and contrast arsenic to other water pollutants using Venn diagrams. Students are able to demonstrate essay skills...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying Wetlands

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners describe three major categories of indicators that are used to delineate wetlands.  In this wetlands lesson students visit a wetland and make observations then complete an activity using the soil. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crystal Growing

For Teachers 1st - 9th
Young scholars grow crystals and document their observations by recording timeing and growth. Additional characteristics of crystals are observed under a black light, by growing under different conditions and mineral content is determined.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acid Rain

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the quality of water using a variety of methods. They use a pH probe to measure the pH and study the effect of dissolved CO2 in the water. Students also observe the effect of the pH upon the dissolving of H2SO4...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amphipods

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify organisms that live at the bottom of the body of water. In this biology lesson, students evaluate the effects of pollution to amphipods population. They examine collected data and create a bar graph comparing them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clouds as Art: Torn Paper Landscape

For Teachers K - 5th
Students create a torn paper landscape and use it to study clouds. In this cloud study and art lesson, students make a background art image from torn paper. Students create a torn paper landscape and use cotton balls to illustrate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chlorine-Bleached Paper

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze the effects of pollution and other types of ecosystem devasation caused by chlorine. They examine alternative technologies that allow for the bleaching of paper without using chlorine. They discover what they can do to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Posters and People

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create and design posters reflecting the types of litter harmful to aquatic wildlife. They explain the dangers of fishing line to aquatic wildlife, plastic bags to dolphins, and fish nets to fish. They design a poster to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People Who Work in the Woods

For Teachers K - 4th
Students study the types of jobs that people can do in the forest. They examine those who study the forest, harvest the trees, and plant trees to renew the forest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Emergency Safety

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify different types of weather emergencies that may happen during the seasons. They list the steps involved when taking cover and fleeing dangerous weather patters. A comprehensive list of service agencies that can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examining a Hazardous Waste Site

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify activities that produce hazardous waste. They examine how contaminants are spread in air and water. They work together to create a model to show how the contaminants move through water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landscaping And Urban Forestry - Lesson 4 (Grades 8-9)

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students discuss reasons to plant trees and the best locations for cooling. They study two homes and identify types and locations of trees and determine the placement of the central air conditioners. The class plans a landscape design...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landscaping and Urban Forestry - Lesson 4 (Grades 5-6)

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students discuss reasons to plant trees and the best locations for cooling. They analyze two homes identifying types and locations of trees, and location of the central air conditioners. The benefits of shade, the process of...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Wetlands

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WHO CARES FOR THE LAND?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the importance of natural resources. They are given copies of the story, "Who Cares For The Land," and students follow along as the teacher reads it. Students identify the key points in the story. (Soil, water and air...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Conservation

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students discuss the different uses of energy. They examine the consumption percentages to do household tasks. They discover ways to reduce their energy consumption.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SAVE OUR EARTH

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research current environmental problems in order to develop and deliver an oral presentation. The presentation persuades the audience to act on the student's point of view on the issue.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Martian Earth Tours

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students study a variety of global wetland habitats, their similarities and differences. They examine the variety of life that such wetlands support and determine that many animals and plants are adapted to life in wetlands, that...