Curated OER
Water Pollution
First graders investigate what causes water pollution and conduct a water pollution experiment. They listen to the story "What Polluted the Potomac?," and during the story pour small containers of dirty water into a large container at...
Curated OER
Watershed Protection
Young scholars explore environmental care by participating in an Earth science activity. In this clean water lesson, students discuss what a watershed is, how they become polluted, and how it affects the overall quality of drinking...
Curated OER
Air Pollution
Students seek solutions to environmental problems. They discover how to conserve and protect natural resources. They examine the role of acid rain on plants and discover how to filter pollutants.
Curated OER
WET Science Lesson #11: How Light Affects Water
Scientists listen to the story of Wadja Egnankou who works to save African mangrove forests. They experiment with refraction and the introduction of particulate matter to water. They conclude with creative writing about the need for a...
Curated OER
Air Quality
Learners participate in many activities examining air quality. They examine the purpose of a greenhouse and make predictions. They also collect data and make graphs and charts.
Curated OER
Environment: Water & Air
The introduction to the instructional activity mentions a sailor's limited capacity to store drinking water on his ship. Pupils then set up an overnight experiment to remove freshwater from salt water by distillation. There is a math and...
Curated OER
Safety And Water Safety
Students investigate the concept of safety in and out of the water. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students focus upon the role of police officers in the keeping of safety and then discuss the different types of...
Curated OER
Contaminated Drinking Water
Pupils see if they can tell if our water is safe to drink by looking at it and tasting it. They perform an experiment using salt and vinegar to see when they can tell water has been contaminated.
Curated OER
Turning the Tide on Trash: Marine Debris Curriculum
Seven pages of fascinating reading on marine debris preface the activities in this lesson plan. Four different activities are employed to simulate how the debris is distributed in the ocean and along beaches. Early ecology learners...
Curated OER
Erosion
Young scientists identify erosion, explain the causes of erosion, and name some techniques that can slow the process of erosion. Learners are divided up into groups of four and perform a simulation of soil erosion in class. The...
Earth Day Network
Staying Green While Being Clean
Clean up the environment with a lesson that focuses on replacing hazardous cleaning supplies with green, environmentally-friendly products. Using a dirty patch of surface as a control area, kids clean other parts of various surfaces...
Curated OER
Ocean Planet: Pollution Solution
Learners explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science activity, students investigate the impact of oil spills as they discuss historical spills. Learners use problem solving skills to brainstorm clean-up methods.
Polar Trec
Why Can’t I Eat This Fish?
Can turning on the television lead to toxins in the food supply? The lesson offers an opportunity for young scientists to complete guided research. A worksheet lists each question as well as the web page necessary to answer the question....
SRI International
The Water Crisis
Water, water, everywhere, right? Wrong. Learners assess their own knowledge of water availability on Earth. Then, through a reading, a teacher-led presentation, and an activity, pupils learn about the importance of available clean...
Kenan Fellows
Microorganisms in Pond Water
That is living in the water? Groups of two to three view pond water with microscopes in order to find microorganisms. They draw pictures of the ones they find in their slides. The groups compare their drawings to pictures of common...
Curated OER
Seepy Sandwich
Students explore Earth science by participating in a pollution activity. In this water infiltration instructional activity, students utilize a water sprayer, food coloring and slices of bread to simulate how pollution can spread into our...
Curated OER
Working With Environmental Issues
Pupils consider the source of disease and parasites in West Africa. In this environmental issues instructional activity, students read "Working with Environmental Issues," by Fred Koehler. Pupils participate in an activity that requires...
Education Outside
Our Water Planet
Fresh water is a precious resource. Most kids don't realize how little of the water on Earth is actually drinkable. This lesson will help to illuminate them on this important topic. They discus the ratio of water to land, where most...
Curated OER
Great Lakes at Stake
Students explore conservation of the Great Lakes. In this geography and ecology lesson plan, students identify the Great Lakes on a map and view a video depicting the history and importance of these lakes. Students work in groups to...
Curated OER
Water Pollution
Fifth graders investigate how humans pollute the water supply with a number of different contaminates. While working in small groups they examine screening, sedimentation, filtration, and chemical treatments as methods of water treatment.
Curated OER
Seepy Sandwich
Students study how water infiltration can carry pollution underground. In this water infiltration lesson, students conduct an experiment on water infiltration and underground pollution.
Curated OER
Water Filtration
Learners demonstrate the four of five procedures that municipal water plants use to purify water for drinking. A water filtration system is designed by a student and their partner. A data chart is made to record all observations when the...
Curated OER
Acid Rain
Create a simulation of acid rain in your classroom with lemon juice and bean plants to help kids study the effects of pollution on plants. In addition, learners will listen to a story and write responses based on guiding questions.
University of Wisconsin
Follow the Drop
Young surveyors look for patterns in water flow around campus. Using a map of the school (that you will need to create), they mark the direction of the path of water. They also perform calculations for the volume that becomes runoff. The...