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Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining
To understand the impact coal mining has on the environment, pupils will extract chocolate chips from a cookie. Imagine the cookie is the environment and the chips are the coal. Instruct them to mine as many chips as they can, then have...
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Geologic Sequestration
Young scholars investigate how geologic sequestration reduces carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. In this earth science instructional activity, students simulate oil mining in the lab. They write down their observations and...
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Fuels - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Science pupils choose from twelve questions about five different types of fuel: hydrogen, ethanol, crude oil, natural gas, and coal. They construct a table to compare them and then determine which is the best fuel. Your physical science...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Safety vs. Energy
Political cartoons are a poignant way to examine energy sources. This analysis handout has scholars examining a cartoon by Joe Heller (a link to his gallery is included for possible extensions). Background information reminds pupils of...
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Energy Through the Ages
In this energy through the ages worksheet, students read about the history of energy use beginning with early civilization and the use of water wheels for the production of energy to hydrocarbon-based coal, oil and natural gas of today....
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Jan. 3, 1959 | Alaska Becomes a State
Make connections with past history and current events with this critical thinking exercise. Kids read background information relating to Alaska's statehood as well as information on oil drilling and Alaska's economy. They put it all...
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Mining in a Nutshell
Your class will love this geology-inspired set of activities that demonstrate the processes through which we are able to use mineral resources. They describe the major steps that a company must follow from initial discovery of a mineral...
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Peanut Mining
Third graders simulate the mining of an ore using peanuts. They discuss the implications of using resources that cannot be renewed. They make peanut butter and sample the product.
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Fossil Fuels: Facing the Issues
Students explore energy by researching fuel usage on Earth. In this fossil fuel lesson, students define fossil fuels, the energy created by burning them, and the impact on the environment when using them. Students conduct pollution...
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Geo Sequestration Lab
Students explore geologic sequestration as a technique used to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They use chemistry to stimulate oil mining. Students conduct an experiment to learn about geo carbon sequestration.
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Water Pollution Cleanup
How do scientists determine the best method for removing pollutants from our water sources? Environmental scholars experiment with pollution clean-up options to discover which are the most cost-effective, fastest, and most thorough....
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Hydrocarbons
In this chemistry worksheet, students use the clues given at the bottom of the sheet to complete the crossword puzzle on hydrocarbons. There are 17 statements to solve and fill in on the puzzle.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining Worksheet
In this coal mining math learning exercise, students perform a set of operations to determine profit of mining a "chocolate chip cookie" and graph results.
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Environmental Problems and Solutions
In this environmental problems and solutions worksheet, students are given a list of 25 environmental problems. They match them with a given solution and paste the matching pairs to a piece of construction paper.
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Caution: Fix It!
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson plan, students investigate events that have harmed coastal resources and how human activity has restored coastal resources.
Pulitzer Center
Extractive Industries
Here is a chance for environmental studies classes to take a critical look at crises occurring around the globe by reading articles and viewing video clips. The human activities under scrutiny are the extraction of oil, logging, and...
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Our Earth: Storehouse of Natural Resources
Students listen to an explanation of the science of the mining industry and create a geological map of Africa. They discuss the uses of minerals and resources and research a natural mineral resource in their part of the world.
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Ecological Impact of Cyanide Heap Leaching
Students explore the environment by researching mining. In this ecological dangers lesson, students define cyanide and discuss why it has potential to be a great threat to our environment during mining expeditions. Students examine many...
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Settling The Wasterwater Problem
Pupils name models that are representations of larger objects. They suggest ways that industry, agriculture, and mining affect water quality. Pupils demonstrate the use of lagoons for treating wastewater. Students define the following...
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Flotation
Students examine how one of the ways the mining companies extract coal is through the flotation method where air bubbles float coal particles to the top of a solution. The coal is scooped off and separated. They participate in the...
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Primary Activity: Dichotomous Key of Energy Sources
In this energy sources learning exercise, students fill in a chart using a dichotomous key of energy sources. They use follow the directions and label items such as the sun, a windmill, and an oil rig with the proper number and letter...
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Fossil Fuels
Fifth graders explore the use of fossil fuels and relate it to effects on the environment.
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Environment: A Day Around the Bay
Students examine various scenarios about pollution around bays and discuss their reactions to them. Among the situations they investigate are construction site soil washing into a tributary, oil from motor boats leaking into water, and...
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Section 1: Non-obvious Causes
Students explore the historical problem of pumping water out of mines.