Fifth graders use the scientific process to examine how when various surfaces are exposed to similar environmental conditions, surface temperatures may vary. They conduct an experiment to show the relationship between surface and...

Students investigate the effects of urban pollution on plankton. In this plankton and pollution lesson plan, students use samples of plankton collected in urban areas to observe the effects of pollution on plankton samples. They...

Fourth graders research plants native to the Hawaiian Islands. Using the plants, they identify its purpose in the watershed and ways to help protect them from extinction. They survey a area of land and discover ways in which to bring...

Learners are introduced to new vocabulary words associated with tribes and relocation. As a class, they listen to their teacher read an excerpt on tribal termination and urbanization. To end the lesson, they identify how this act...

Students use the scientific process to show that when various surfaces are exposed to similar environmental conditions, surface temperatures may vary. They examine the "urban heat island" phenomenon and analyze why it increases energy...

Fifth graders read a story about how cities have grown since the 1920s. Using the text, they follow the story of a couple whose town changes after more and more people move to the area. They identify the causes and consequences of...

Pupils discover the urban ecosystem through a series of activities. They explore both the biotic and abiotic factors of the urban environment.

Elementary school physical scientists explore kinetic mechanical energy by dropping a golf ball on different surfaces. They discuss how human made materials might react to light differently from nature made materials. This lesson plan...

Pupils record temperatures at different locations around campus. They examine the results and draw conclusions about how materials and colors affect the amount of heat produced. They also analyze Los Angeles' temperature records over a...

Students explore the relationship between greenhouse gases and global warming. Carbon dioxide is studied as a contributor to the problem.

To some people, protesting is as American as apple pie, but the factors that lead to protests can be as confusing to veteran activists as to today's youth. Revolution '67 explores the riots in Newark, New Jersey as a case study. ...

Students participate in a class discussion about wildfire and urban interfaces as well as risk of wildfire in the area in which they live. After reviewing a wildfire/urban interface fire safety checklist, a walking field trip is...

Students perform a series of experiments which show that plants require nutrients in certain quantities. They also cooperatively read materials on the nutrient requirements of plants, fertilizers, composting, and soil management, and...

Students interpret maps. They also create mental maps of regions in which they are studying. Students then explain the historical or cultural significance of map features orally or in written form. Students take a walking field trip...

Learners, in groups, take samples from a creek and keep a field journal on their samples. They also perform tests on their samples.

Ninth graders are introduced to GPS technology. They complete fieldwork as they visit a specific area of their community to identify and map types of land use in the surveyed area. They use the collected data to create a digital map.

Students investigate landfills and the problems associated with urban and suburban areas. In this recycling lesson plan, students discuss landfills and the problems associated with landfills. They discuss the amount of waste an...

Students examine the interrelationship between trees, soil and people focusing on urban areas. They collect and analyze data about trees in their research area.

Young scholars analyze an engineering problem. They contrast paper and pencil mastery of concepts with hands-on mastery. They present their design and rationale behind it, whether it works or not.

Take photos of human activities that impact air quality. Collaborative groups present one of the photographs, identifying how the activity contributes to air quality and what can be done to minimize the impact. As one in a series of...

This lesson combines math, visual arts, and language arts activities that all focus on the making, and baling of hay. The activities can be adjusted to address different age ranges. Most of the activities focus on gaining...

Develop critical thinkers and awareness of the media's techniques. Impressionable minds analyze advertisements they see all around them in this potentially 3-week long unit of five complete lesson plans. Extended discussions, outside...

Learners identify and analyze land use changes over time with historical aerial photographs. They classify different land use into categories.

Examine the contributions of African-Americans in the worlds of art and literature. Over the course of a few days, young scholars will read and analyze a poem, a short story, and a piece of art. They complete a range of...