Middle schoolers create their own sculpture representing the idea of environmental responsibility and recycling. In this science activity, students observe Les Constellations des Voisines du Pole by Joseph Cornell, make...

Young scholars participate in the paper vs. plastic bag debate, then read a news article about one grocery store that is banning plastic bags. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a debate and a...

Yeast and sugar go beyond the pantry and into a fuel experiment. Use these common baking ingredients to assist your class in creating ethanol, a natural fuel. Pupils observe the process and gather information to elaborate...

Plan ahead! Integrate science and language arts! Schedule your reading of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe to coincide with the arrival of spring. As pupils read Chapter 11 of the Lewis classic, they are assigned one of...

Whose home is it anyway? Design teams plan a housing development in which they must also protect a native species. The teams consist of a project manager, civil engineer, environmental engineer, and graphic designer. Teams present their...

Students determine the normal behavior of California blackworms. They determine how various concentrations of assigned toxicants affect the worm's behavior. Students are introduced to testing of potential toxicants, an important...

Students consider the development of different societies. In this environmental building instructional activity, students consider local resources and how societies choose to use them. Students use their findings to design a 'green'...

Teams of electrical engineers work together to develop plans for increasing electricity to a fictitious, but growing community. They consider different sources of electricity, both renewable and nonrenewable, the cost of building and...

Teamwork and critical thinking combine to for a creative instructional activity on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ebullient environmental studies learners play a game in which they strategize how to place colorful energy wedges...

Students research about the processing of biodiesel fuels. In this energy instructional activity, students produce their own biodiesel using used and new vegetable oil. They discuss the environmental and economic benefits of using...

Divide your chemistry or environmental science class into two groups. Each group tests water samples from a river for the concentration of phosphorus using a different method. With chemists, you can use this activity as they learn to use...

The Grapes of Wrath. The Jungle. Native Son. The Things They Carried. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. To address a current social, political, economic, or environmental issue, class groups pair the reading of a...

How do scientists know what Earth's climate was like millions of years ago? Young environmental scholars discover how researchers used proxy data to determine the conditions present before written record. Grouped pupils gain experience...

A helpful worksheet encourages pupils to make environmentally-friendly choices at home. The packet presents many ways that learners can help the environment, such as taking shorter showers in order to conserve water.

Rally your administration and facilities manager to let your class examine the water flow rates in different areas of the school. After the audit, the class researches opportunites for conserving water and writes a report or develops a...

Students explore the concept of fishing as it relates to oceans and how some fishing practices can damage the health of the marine ecosystems. In this lesson on the impact of fishing, students research the many places in the world where...

A link to a comprehensive macroinvertebrate guide gives you the information needed to prepare for this field study activity. Sample macroinvertebrates are collected from areas representing different environmental conditions. Junior...

Environmental science learners examine satellite imagery of temperature, vegetation, precipitation, and productivity. They use these maps to understand how scientists divide the planet into major biomes. As part of a larger unit on...

Young scholars use mushrooms to solve problems. In this environmental activity, students study how fungi have been used to combat environmental problems. Young scholars design strategies that employ mushrooms to combat other...

Students discuss the risks a landfill may pose to a community. The setting is a school board faced with a decision about whether to close a school until the landfill is capped (a 3 year period). They are asked to determine how they would...

Young scholars examine environmental issues. In this energy instructional activity, students explore the topic of energy conservation and then create marketing (to be implemented in their school) meant to communicate the benefits of...

Students determine how to lower the reliance on petroleum-based fuel. In this environmental stewardship instructional activity, students create concept cars for the future that using renewable energy.

Students explore renewable energy by analyzing a diagram. In this fossil fuel lesson plan, students view a chart explaining the different energy consumption from automobiles and how they impact our environment. Students analyze a point...

Atmosphere aces investigate the microclimates that exist within a larger area. They use a thermometer to record the varying temperatures and identify the microclimates on a map that they have drawn. This exercise helps them to understand...