Environmental Health Lesson Plans

Students electroplate or galvanize iron nails with zinc. In this electroplating lesson, students read an article about the health problems associated with electroplating chromium. They use zinc acetate to electroplate an iron nail.

Students conduct experiments to learn about the properties of air. In this air properties lesson, students learn about air pollution, air quality, and the composition of air. They graph their findings and use the air quality index to observe the quality of their local air.

Students analyze information to determine how they can help a community that has been affected by water contamination.  In this environmental science instructional activity, students watch portions of the movie "A Civil Action" and discuss specific questions in order to come up with a solution to the contamination problem.

Students identify and describe the different types of energy and how it is transferred.  In this energy lesson students complete several activities including how to calculate joules, adding up wattage, and create a presentation on renewable energy. 

Students explore the different types of vertebrates found in their area. In this environmental science lesson, students perform a case study on the Common Raven. They analyze data collected from research and create charts and graphs.

Students analyze marine sites to include in a biodiversity protection reserve and choose sites that provide the most efficient reserve system. In this protecting marine areas lesson plan, students study the species richness and diversity index of species in 8 different sites and determine which combination of sites are the most efficient to make a successful biodiversity protection reserve.

Young scholars recognize and categorize different bodies of water. In this watershed and water environments lesson, students "Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean." Young scholars define the different bodies of water and sort from smallest to largest. Students design original postcards with watersheds and describe their features.

Students design a habitat for an arthropod. In this organisms lesson plan, students read the book, A House is a House For Me. Students find an arthropod and create a terrarium.

Students explore the effects of extreme weather on human health.  In this health lesson, students read an article of a recent study and create an emergency response plan for their community. Students summarize types of medical conditions and create a plan to reduce extreme weather related mortality.

Eighth graders discuss reasons to buy certain brands of technology equipment. They discuss the "Energy Guide Label" (link provided) and its purpose. From a list, 8th graders select a problem, and research a solution for that problem. A series of handouts is provided to guide students through this lesson.