Curated OER
Oil Spill in a Test Tube
Students develop a test tube model of an oil spill in order to experiment with conditions needed for bioremediation. They apply the principals of experimental design by analyzing a research article on the EXXON Valdez bioremediation...
Curated OER
The Great Hungarian Toxic Disaster
Ninth graders examine the the toxic spill in Hungary. In this Hungarian lesson plan, 9th graders read an article and answer guided questions. Students write an email to their teacher explaining the causes and effects of the Toxic disaster.
Curated OER
Toxics Lesson Plan
Students discover that chemicals and toxics are all around us and we can make a choice whether or not to use them.
Curated OER
N, B, and T: Pollutants Three
Young scholars explore nutrient, bacterial, and toxic surface water pollution. They identify the amount of water they use each day and summarize the kinds of substances that cause water pollution. They predict what will happen in water...
Curated OER
Prince William's Oily Mess: A Tale of Recovery
In this environment learning exercise, students explore the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Students read and study text and photographs about the 1989 spill. Students answer 6 essay questions.
Curated OER
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.
Beyond Benign
Product Test
It's the moment of truth. Previous lessons in the 24-part series had scholars design and develop shampoo formulas using chemical concepts. The 18th lesson asks them to test the function of their shampoos. To do this, they calculate the...
Marine Institute
Water Pollution
Sixth graders investigate the various types of pollutants found in water and ways to help prevent water pollution. Through a hands-on experiment, young scholars create samples of polluted water by mixing water with vegetable oil, dirt,...
Curated OER
The Effect of Citrus Oils on Fruit Flies
Students answer the question, "How could citrus fruits be toxic to fruit flies when fruit flies live on fruit?" They conduct an investigation using four different citrus oils and fruit flies and analyze data collected.
Curated OER
Subsurface Contamination of Groundwater
High schoolers watch a demonstration with a balloon filled with water being buried in a milk container that has been cut length wise and filled with sand. Students are told that there is an underground storage tank filled with a...
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Pesky Plastics: The Problem with Plastic
What can happen to the environment if plastic continues to pollute it? Learners read about the implications of plastic on health, water, and nature in a two-page reading passage. After they finish reading, they work on six comprehension...
Curated OER
Hazardous Household Products Quiz
In this hazardous products quiz, students give short answers to fifteen questions related to hazardous material found in or around the home. Students are questioned about what to do in given situations.
Curated OER
Current Events and Fish
Fifth graders examine current events impacting aquatic life in their communities. They search for newspaper, magazine and television reports for information about aquatic life in local bodies of water. Students can write letters to...
Curated OER
Health Education: Toxins
Student hear about harmful household products. In this personal health lesson plan, 3rd graders summarize why household products are harmful if ingested or inhaled.
Curated OER
Playing in mud puddles
Students examine the effects of rainfall on different surfaces and discuss water pollution. They review the water cycle and the uses of water in daily lifestyles. Students discuss the effects of soil run off in streams and rivers.
American Chemical Society
Preparation and Combustion of Biodiesel
The United States is the world's largest producer of biofuel. During an in-class investigation, young scientists produce their own biodiesel. They burn a sample of it to determine the heat of combustion. Then they discuss the results...
Smarter Than Smoking
Secrets They Keep Poster
A colorful, thought-provoking infographic identifies 12 harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. It provides a sober warning for smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke.
NOAA
It All Runs Downhill
Examine how pollution makes its way into an ocean with help from a model watershed. Scholars use household items to recreate a mini-watershed, equipped with pollutants, that when mixed with rain drain into a model's body of water. After...
California Academy of Science
Pollution in Our Watershed
The concept of a how pesticides and other chemicals pass through a watershed can be difficult for younger learners to grasp without a concrete example. In the activity here, some blank paper, markers, and a spray bottle are all you need...
Outdoor Learning Center
Outdoor Survival
Which of the following can you survive without for the longest time: water, food, or a positive mental attitude? The answer may surprise you. Guide learners of all ages through games, activities, and discussions about surviving in the...
Curated OER
Fabric Beads
Practice using a different art medium by making fabric beads. These colorful beads can be used for necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry. They can also be used as decorative touches on photo frames, candles, and more! A long list of...
Curated OER
What Are We?
Students list and describe three types of surface water pollutants. They observe the effects of various water pollutants on algae growth. Three causes of each surface water pollutant is listed.
Curated OER
Household Hazardous Waste Reduction
Students discover the different types of hazardous waste. They examine ways to dispose of the hazardous materials safely and without harming the environment.
Curated OER
The Wind & Sun: Powerful Alternatives
Students examine the power that is possible from the sun through an interactive program. They also analyze how energy turns into different forms in different parts of the human body. They finally explore how wind is created and how wind...