What features make a home energy-efficient? Pupils attempt to answer the question with the fourth lesson from the five-part WE Are Innovators—High School Modules set. Scholars learn how certain building materials help save energy. Using...

Beauty and Capitalism—not two words you usually see together. John Ruskin, a prominent political thinker definitely did not think so. Teach pupils about the political theory behind aesthetics and why some countries may value beauty over...

Did you know that, as the world's population increases, its demand for energy increases at an even faster rate? Learners watch a short video about the world's energy crisis before discussing the sustainable alternative energy sources....

Thomas Malthus posed the most famous, and most easily disproven, theory about projected population growth in economic history. What did he get wrong—and why? Explore the Malthusian Theory of Population with a Crash Course video that...

How did the chicken cross the road? The video addresses the multiple solutions we created to help animal populations cross roads, power lines, and dams. It explains the reason human-made obstacles hurt animal populations and why it...

What are the factors that limit growth and expansion? As part of their study of Catalina Island, class members view the West of the West's documentary Magic Isle and research William Wrigley and the Santa Catalina Island Company. After...

Examine the soundness of the world forest system through an interactive lesson. Learners use satellite images to analyze different forest systems. They study logging methods that maintain the health of the forests and those that deplete...

Investigate aspects of sustainable cities and relate them to where you live! A detailed lesson first investigates the definition of sustainability. Learners then explore human impact on the environment and social justice. Their final...

Discover how copying nature can be beneficial to humans. Scholars read articles about examples of biomimicry and its potential applications. Along the way, they learn about Nature's Nine Laws and how they relate to biomimicry. This is...

Don't desert a resource on the desert! Scholars work in groups to build on their ideas from the previous lesson to design a sustainable guest village in the Saguaro National Park. Each group produces a PowerPoint presentation to share...

Brainstorm ideas to design a sustainable guest village in the Sonoran Desert. The first installment of a nine-part unit teaches young environmental scientists about the basics of the Saguaro National Park and about sustainable design....

Explore population dynamics with your high school class as they calculate the population of a certain species and whether it can theoretically survive in a habitat, based on predetermined geometric dimensions and other factors. They...

Did you know that 1.3 billion people live without any form of electricity? Discover an array of possible renewable energy options by taking a trip to Moja Island, an online learning resource that will equip you and your learners with an...

Young citizens construct an understanding of urban planning in this cross-curricular unit. Covering every aspect of city development from the political, economic, and social influences to sustainable building practices, this 10-lesson...

Help young conservationists appreciate the important role that trees play in ecosystems around the world with this collection of six engaging activities. From a shared reading and class discussion of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, to in an depth...

Young environmentalists use a conference format to reach consensus on ways to slow deforestation and promote sustainable development. Class members are assigned roles to play during the conference, and work on posters and a public...

Explore the meaning of sustainable development and have your students record ways of making life more efficient. Students research to find information on sustainable materials and then pool their information to create a source book for...

Students role play moving to an unknown virtual island. In this earth science lesson, students describe energy challenges they're facing. They discuss possible energy options available.

Learners explore the concept of sustainable development by watching an animated video.  In this sustainable development lesson plan students research the Internet and complete a worksheet. 

Eighth graders examine how sustainable development affects issues in the economy and environment.  For this sustainable development lesson students answer questions and discuss the social and environmental issues. 

Students explore concepts of sustainable development in a historical and global context.  In this investigative activity students view a video and explain what it means to love sustainably. 

In this farming worksheet, students explain what is meant by sustainable development. Students review how rain develops. Students determine how climate effects crops that can be farmed. This worksheet has 4 graphic organizers, 1 graph,...

Eighth graders participate in a role-playing game to discover the difficulties facing developing nations. Through the game, an adaptation of "Risk," they explore themes dealing with global poverty, humanitarian assistance, international...

Learners work in groups to decide which statement best fits with each type of sustainable development from a handout about specific strategies countries are utilizing to promote sustainable development.