Curated OER
Seeds of Wetland Life
Students participate in several activities on seed exploration. In this biology instructional activity, students classify seeds according to their dispersal method. They explain the different adaptations plant have to disperse their seeds.
Curated OER
Investigative Case - "Rio Grande Wildlife Refuge"
Students study wildlife management as it relates to ecological principles and whole systems. They role play professional ecologists working for the fish and wildlife service to develop a plan to manage a new wildlife refuge along the Rio...
Curated OER
Big Fleas Have Little Fleas
A benthic habitat hosts a vast collection of organisms and its structure influences the biodiversity. Middle-school marine biology explorers will discuss how corals impact structure, and therefore diversity, on the ocean floor. They draw...
Curated OER
Restoring and Protecting Chesapeake Bay and River Water Quality
A professional and comprehensive presentation on Chesapeake Bay water quality is in store for your ecology class. If you live in the Chesapeake Bay region and want to get learners involved in conservation efforts, this slide show will do...
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,...
Curated OER
Deep Gardens
Students investigate the differences and similarities between shallow-water and deep-sea coral reefs. In this coral reef lesson, students research and compare the characteristics of reefs. Students describe various lifeforms in coral...
Curated OER
Nature Tribute
Students explore parts of nature. In this environmental lesson, students discuss how their actions can affect the environment and design a plan to clean up a specified area. Students practice good hygiene during the cleanup project.
Curated OER
Conserving Resources by Watering Efficiently
Students determine a watering schedule that promotes healthy grass growth. In this plants and natural resource conservation lesson, students plant grass seed in liter bottles and follow two different schedules that include "more...
Moanalua Gardens Foundation
The Mystery of Rapa Nui
What caused the collapse of the environment on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)? Who constructed the Moai? What was their purpose? Class members assume the role of investigators and use evidence drawn from field studies, ships' logs, and...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Calculating Your Carbon Footprint
Unplugging from technology for one day per week will decrease your carbon footprint—are you up to the challenge? Part two in a series of three allows individuals to explore their personal carbon footprints. By first taking a quiz at home...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Faces of Climate Change
Sometimes, the best solution to a problem can be found by walking in someone else's shoes. Here, scholars use character cards to take on the roles of people around the world. They determine how their character's life affects our...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Impacts of Climate Change
Scholars become experts on the eight major impacts of climate change through a jigsaw and grand conversation. They then research and present what they learned about effects specific to their region.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Reflecting on What I Learned About Climate Change
After three eye-opening lessons about our environment, scholars revisit a 10-question survey, reflect on their new-found knowledge, and take action by writing to a representative or creating a public service announcement about climate...
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...
Rain Bird Corporation
Rain Forest Teaching Curriculum
Take young naturalists on an exploration of the world's tropical rainforests with this extensive collection of lessons and activities. Whether its creating leaf and flower prints or investigating the absorption spectrum of chlorophyl,...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Impacts of Climate on Forest Succession
Part two in a series of four explores the effects of climate on succession or the changing of plant species in a forest. Groups review how to identify trees and then spend a day in the field collecting extensive data on trees to...
Forest Foundation
Forest Health
Young foresters examine the strategies, like prescribed burns and thinning, that are employed to ensure healthy forests.
Curated OER
Campus Habitat Improvement Plan
Young scholars work to improve a plot of land. They assess the needs of the environment and formulate a plan. They plant trees and gardens, build bird boxes, construct waterholes. etc.
Curated OER
Compost and Composting Experiments
Students investigate the composting process through a variety of experiments. For this ecology lesson, students discuss the benefits of composting. They examine how compost affect plant growth.
Curated OER
Soil Testing and Texturing
Students are introduced to soil textures and why they are important in examining soil quality. They find out how to feel the difference between soil textures. Pupils describe which soil texture is best for gardens and growing healthy...
Curated OER
Saved by a Shark
Students explore the marine ecosystem and the importance of sharks. In this shark lesson, students look at photos of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and discuss the animals that live there. They discuss which animals...
Curated OER
Contrasting Landscapes - UBC Farm Field Trip
Students visit the UBC Farm. In this lesson on various landscapes, students spend a day at the University of British Columbia exploring the farm and trail adjoining the campus. This lesson could be modified for use in any region that has...
Curated OER
Ecology of the Dump
Young scholars recreate landfills in petri dishes, observe relative biodegradability in a year-long project, and isolate a cellulose degrading bacteria while discovering the need for recycling and the serious problem waste management has...
Curated OER
How do rice farmers make good use of the land they use for planting rice?
Second graders discuss how farmers grow rice. In this rice growing lesson plan, 2nd graders see the optimal condition for land in order to grow rice. They experiment with clay and garden soil to see which holds water better.