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 activity during this 21-part series, scholars begin by performing a quantitative analysis of deforestation and urbanization. Then,...
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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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To Protect Your Streams, Protect Your Mountains
Young scholars build and experiment with a watershed to understand the effects of pollution. In this movement of water lesson, students work in groups creating rock formations and change the viscosity of the liquids falling down the...
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Droplets and Downpours
Learners explore how storm water flows through different habitats by sketching the slope of their yard, compare runoff for erosion, and create a sand castle. For this storm water lesson plan, students measure where their yard...
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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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Our Water Resources
Students build a model aquifer to study groundwater zones and water table formation. Students use the models to measure the movement of polluted groundwater.
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Is Dilution the Solution To Pollution?
Young scholars demonstrate the meaning of dilution and concentration and how pollution can affect the water that you drink. They perform an experiment to calculate the final concentration and dilution factor of solutions. They record the...
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Watersheds and Wetlands
Students simulate a chemical spill. In this watersheds and wetlands activity, students build a watershed and observe what happens when it rains. Students add wetlands to their watershed models and examine the effects of water pollution.
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Making Change
Students identify different sources of pollution. In this environment lesson students view a video then make a commercial for the town.
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Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant Field Trip
Young scholars go on a field trip to the Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant and learn about sewage, waste, and pollution. In this treatment plant lesson plan, students also complete collection samples of quadrats.
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Planet Protectors
Students explore ways to protect the earth. In this environmental issues and technology lesson, students investigate the water quality in their community and compare their findings to the water quality in other geographic...
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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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Engineers for a Sustainable World
Young scholars experiment with making a water filtration system. In this engineering lesson plan, students get into groups and are challenged to use only eight items to create a water filter. When finished, young scholars compare and...
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Runoff: Intro to Watersheds
Students are taught that a watershed is, what types of basic land cover are impermeable and permeable to water. They trace the flow of water around their school and around their home. Students determine what watershed their school is a...
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How Much Water is in That River?
Students practice measurement using the Hudson River. They calculate the discharge measurement at a location on the Hudson River using ingenuity and a topographic map.
Global Oneness Project
Reclaiming Rivers
Robert Hass's article "Rivers and Stories" underscores the importance of rivers in the development of civilization and the importance of reclaiming supposedly dead rivers and implementing policies that protect river health. Groups...
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Mathematical Modeling
Study various types of mathematical models in this math lesson. Learners calculate the slope to determine the risk in a situation described. They respond to a number of questions and analyze their statistical data. Then, they determine...
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Determination of Overall Water Quality Using a Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Survey
Students examine water samples from a local stream. They identify various types of macroinvertebrates found in that water ecosystem and perform a quantitative macroinvertebrate survey to determine the stream's water quality.
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Away with Waste!
Students read and analyze the story Away on the Bay as a springboard to discuss water pollution. They may look into ways in which water can be cleaned and a watershed restored.
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Don't Water....Shed A Tear#145
Students examine the definition and attributes of tributaries and watersheds. They design a landscape which includes a mountain, a river, a lake and other appropriate items. They observe as the teacher pours water through the landscape...
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The Water Cycle
Students create an "animated" water cycle wheel that illustrates where water comes from and where it goes.
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Not a Drop to Drink
Students explore potential issues of a water shortage. In this water conservation lesson, students brainstorm the many uses of water and what life would be like if there was not enough water available.
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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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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...