Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...

This is an exceptional series that you can use in an environmental or engineering unit. There are four lessons: "Sustainable Transportation," "Designing for Safety," "Changing the Landscape," and "Engaging in Policy." Each lesson...

Where does our garbage go? What is the difference between a recyclable and non-recyclable item? Pose these important, but often overlooked, questions to your class and invite them to consider the lasting and damaging effects of the...

Students investigate recycling at several scales, including local, state, national and global. They become aware of recycling, re-use, reduce efforts and policies. Students read the article Where Does Your Garbage Go. They look up where...

Definitely for high schoolers, this lesson is an open-ended exploration of energy efficiency. Groups of two to three junior environmental engineers design an experiment to test for efficiency. They prepare a full lab report and...

Four different activities focus on the amount of trash generated and how humans can better manage waste. Learners analyze two days' worth of household garbage, test materials for biodegradability, and rate recyclability of various...

Students design streamlined packaging designed to reduce waste production. In this waste reduction instructional activity, students view a diagram to introduce the concept of the engineering design process and discuss ways that packaging...

Students explore the concept of waste management. In this environmental stewardship lesson plan, students consider the trash generated by people per day and discuss what steps they can personally take to reduce waste.

Students explore the topic of waste management. They define key vocabulary words, take a pre-quiz, complete a questionnaire, evaluate their own waste reduction habits, and write a short summary.

Students demonstrate using tools correctly in order to make concrete. In this concrete lesson plan, students brainstorm on how to use waste to make concrete and take a safety exam.

Fifth graders are introduced to Earth day and study the nesting colonies of Midway.  In this Earth Day lesson students watch an online clip and see the effects our waste has on wildlife. 

Middle schoolers consider the implications of waste. In this waste streams lesson plan, students learn what waste streams are and identify their impact on the environment. Middle schoolers also recycle waste materials to create...

Pupils practice recycling. In this character counts lesson, students discuss why pupils should be responsible about recycling. They cut out pictures from a magazine showing items that can be recycled. 

First graders discuss a plan to minimize waste. In this waste management lesson, 1st graders read "Why Should I Recycle," by Jen Green and create a classroom recycling plan.

Learners investigate where community trash goes now, where it went in the past and maybe what the plans are for the future.

Ninth graders examine the the toxic spill in Hungary. In this Hungarian lesson, 9th graders read an article and answer guided questions. Students write an email to their teacher explaining the causes and effects of the Toxic disaster.

Students participate in paper recycling. They are taught to environmental awareness of recycling and its importance in their future. Students discuss and identify the problems of how they can minimize waste. They brainstorm suggestions...

Fourth graders recognize that human activity can lead to the production of waste, and identify alternatives for the responsible use and disposal of materials. They use technology to investigate and then present a multimedia presentation.

Students work in teams to identify and sort types of packaging used in food production. They consider ways to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and reflect how consumer choices play a role in trash production.

Students go through old magazines and select pictures of things which ultimately become a waste product. They paste these pictures into a small "recycling" book. They dictate a story about reuse and/or recycling of these materials.

This informative and interactive site examines how we can get power from garbage. Topics include: waste to energy plants, only ash remains, a bright idea, and more.

In this lesson, learners will examine the litter they produce in their classroom and that their families produce at home, and identify ways they can reduce waste and recycle more.

For this activity, middle schoolers will explore creative ways that materials can be reused. They will then create a commercial to advertise innovative ideas. Follow-up suggestions include having a sale or contacting local secondhand...

For this mini-unit, pupils will research urban waste disposal issues, and investigate the practicality and environmental impact of using an abandoned mine as a landfill.