SF Environment
Compost Tag
Composting is a great way to get children involved in recycling. First, they discuss how biodegradable products decompose to make compost. Then, they talk about what can and cannot be composted. They play a game similar to around the...
Curated OER
Make Your Own Biodegradable Plastic Stuff
Students identify the four basic natural resources. They distinguish bettween renewable and non-renewable resources. Pupils recognize that all natural resources are needed by living plants and animals. Students list consequences for...
Curated OER
Protecting the Environment
Young scholars explain what biodegradable materials are and list examples of them. They design, with online partners' feedback and input, a product made of biodegradable materials and develop a marketing campaign to best sell their product.
Curated OER
Ocean Pollution
Students explore ocean pollution. In this ecology lesson, students view a video entitled This Pretty Planet and identify common biodegradable products. Students participate in activities designed to simulate the negative effects of...
Curated OER
Ecology of the Dump
Students determine which types of garbage are biodegradable and which are nonbiodegradable. They practice measuring skills, hypothesizing, taking data, and writing a lab report. Students observe the relative biodegradability of metal,...
Cornell University
Renewable Resins and Composites
Merge chemistry with environmental science to study biodegradable materials. An engaging activity allows learners to experiment with different resin concentrations and composites. Through experimental tests, scholars test their creations...
Curated OER
Biodegradability Capsule
Young scholars identify products that can and cannot biodegrade. They create their own biodegradable capsule and discuss what happens to trash in a landfill. They analyze the results and discuss as a class.
Curated OER
Biodegradability
Students study the effects of water, salt water and heat on common household materials. They separate an emulsion and show that the materials are completely recoverable and observe the effect of acetone and water on polystyrene.
Curated OER
The Environment
Young scholars explore the issues that influence our environment and research ways to decrease the negative impact that humans have on the environment. Misconceptions about environmental issues are addressed in this instructional activity.
Curated OER
Food and Fiber: Helping the Environment and You
Fourth graders explore the many uses of corn-based products and the importance of water resources. They consider how biodegradable products help to keep water clean. They perform experiments to observe how corn pellets dissolve while...
Forest Foundation
Nature's Treasure Chest
Renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. As part of their study of the forest ecosystem, class members read "Nature's Treasure Chest" about the many products made from trees and then craft their own recycled paper.
Curated OER
Classroom Composting
Students observe and describe the cyclic nature of life. They identify and appreciate the importance of a balanced ecosystem. Finally, students compare and contrast biodegradable and non-biodegradable resources in nature and describe the...
Curated OER
Tee Off!
Students explore about one of the many products created by gain-based process. They investigate the ways agriculture can protect and preserve the environment. Pupils use their scientific processing skills to conduct a full inquiry based...
Curated OER
Compost Tag
Students identify biodegradable items. For this environmental lesson, students participate in a game of tag. A student's name is called out along with a biodegradable item and the student is tossed a ball.
Curated OER
Scavenger Hunt!
Students conduct Internet research to describe products made from corn. They identify how corn produces ethanol, complete a graphic organizer demonstrating the importance of corn production in people's lives, and design a poster about corn.
Curated OER
Science in Your Shopping Cart
Students research the use of science in food production in the United States. In this science and food lesson, students visit a specific website to learn about the science used in various food products for United States consumption.
Curated OER
Corn: An A-maizing Plant
Learners explore the corn crop. In this farming lesson, students identify which states are in the corn belt and read about the history of corn, its uses and its development and growth. Learners dissect a corn kernel. Students discuss the...
National Park Service
Reduce Our Carbon Footprint, Let’s Compost!
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready to start...
Curated OER
Don't Trash the Earth
Students 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.
Curated OER
Now You See It, Now You Don't
Students explore organic and inorganic objects. In this environmental lesson students perform a composting experiment using flowers in different soils. Students record their observations.
Curated OER
Recycling
Students examine biodegradable materials. In this recycling lesson, students research biodegradable materials. Students break into groups and design a product that is completely made of biodegradable materials. Students list the items...
Curated OER
Throwing It All Away?
Students read a New York Times article as part of their investigation as to what happens when an item is thrown away or recycled. They analyze the relationship between a product's ingredients and its effect on the Earth and healthful...
Curated OER
Kernel Power" Ethanol Fuel from Corn
Students study why corn is a biodegradable, renewable resource. In this ethanol lesson students build models and observe a chemical reaction.
Curated OER
Rainforest Resources
Pupils explore products of the rainforest. In this environmental stewardship activity, students discover the resources that the rainforest holds and examine products from the rainforest used around the world.