National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Lab 1: Nanocatalysts Clean Your Car Emissions
What a big job for such a small particle. Young scientists learn about the role of nanoparticles in catalytic converters for cars. They conduct an experiment to create alginate-MnO2 catalytic spheres.
Teach Engineering
Air Pressure
Investigate what is pushing on us. An intriguing lesson plan has pupils calculate the amount of force on various squares due to air pressure. Using the data, individuals create a graph in the third lesson plan of the Up, Up and Away unit...
Curated OER
Pavement or Dirt?
What are the pros and cons to having either permeable or impermeable materials for building? How do they affect the environment? Use this role-play and the extension activities to get your environmental scientists thinking about the...
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Appearances Are Deceiving
Young scientists study creeks around their area to see how clean the water really is. One way to tell is by the invertebrate populations that are present. This lesson introduces a game which learners simulate a variety of species found...
Global Oneness Project
The Value of Ancient Traditions
Imagine having to give up cell phones, computers, and TV? What would be lost? What gained? An examination of the Drokpa, a nomadic people who live in the grasslands of Tibet, provides class members an opportunity to consider how access...
Curated OER
Preparing for the New Haven Public School Science Fair Through Environmental Science
Pupils discover what type of effect that pesticides have on earthworms. They use three different types of pesticide and examine the external and internal effects that each have on earthworms. They maintain earthworms in habitats sprayed...
Curated OER
Examining Endangered Species
Middle school environmental science classes research the threatened, endangered, and extinct organisms listed for their state. They design and construct a poster of the information gleaned and write an essay about how they might be able...
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Environmental Action
Young scholars investigate an environmental problem in order to find and propose possible solutions. The problem is real to add to the engagement of the lesson. This is found through conducting research and then brainstorming is done in...
Curated OER
Gulf Oil Spill:What Happened, and Who is Responsible?
Students investigate the Gulf Oil Spill. In this environmental issues lesson, students watch video clips about the oil spill and discuss the devastation caused by the spill as well as who is responsible. Students also consider how many...
Curated OER
Science: Arsenic and Old Lace
Students read about specific instances of arsenic in history and share these stories with each other. They identify, after reading the articles and sharing, what role arsenic played, how arsenic enters the system and what its effects...
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Environmental Conditions: Friend or Foe
Students research and answer questions on how organisms are classified and how their needs are met through their environment. They work in small groups and create a poster, chart, rap, PowerPoint, or brochure demonstrating how organisms...
Curated OER
Working With Environmental Issues
Students begin the lesson by completing a survey about how much and what types of water they drink on a daily basis. Using a worksheet, they calculate the amount of water an American uses each day and the amount their own family uses. In...
Curated OER
What's All the Fuss?
Students investigate why air quality is important. In this environmental instructional activity, students research air quality and create an infomercial that explains why air quality is important. Students use video cameras to record...
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Don't Trash the Earth
Learners experience a hands-on environmental science project. They access about recycling as they collect data on their own family's trash production. Students analyze the data with worksheets, chart the data, and present their findings.
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Invasives and Macroinvertebrates
Students view macroinvertebrates, or discuss previous collection activity. They graph data on macroinvertebrates in the Hudson River. Students discuss the relationship between habitat, environmental changes, and invertebrate diversity or...
Curated OER
You Are What You Eat: Chemical Residues and Consumers
Learners determine how evidence gained from a simulated test for the presence of pesticide residues can be used to determine risk. They use peas to simulate pesticide residue testing.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Teachers' Guide to Using A Day In the Life of a Drop
Hydrology hopefuls learn about their local watershed. Through discussion and online interactives, they see that their habits affect the water supply. The lesson concludes with a pledge to filter out bad water usage habits. It makes a...
Curated OER
Be the Kiwi: What is going on in New Zealand?
Students study the three environmental issues facing New Zealand today. In this ecology lesson, students brainstorm some solutions to these environmental issues. They share what they have written in their journals.
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The Fact of Global Warming
Students investigate the harmful impact of global warming by reading news articles. In this environmental care lesson, students analyze an article about the Kyoto Protocol and its goal of saving our environment. Students...
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Quality of Life Investigations: Risk Reductions
Students participate in a discussion of recent environmental issues affecting their own community or ones nearby. In groups, they research the role of food additives and the purpose of adding them to foods. They also determine their...
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Air Pollution and Asthma
Eleventh graders consider air quality. In this environmental stewardship lesson plan, 11th graders consider the impact of air pollution on asthma and identify ways that they can work to reduce air pollution.
Curated OER
Biomes
Tenth graders research locations of biomes and their barriers. In this biomes lesson, 10th graders examine location, environmental conditions, and species of plants and animals that live in the biome. Students take notes and create a...
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The Effects of Trash and Garbage On the Environment
Students recognize the importance of solid waste management. In this science lesson plan, students analyze individual solid waste management habits as they enhance their knowledge of solid waste disposal and the recycling process.
Curated OER
The Science of Color
Students use the scientific method to explore how to make different colors with paint. They problem solve ways to darken and lighten colors without using black and white paint. Students hypothesize how to create new colors, and describe...