Students participate in an activity to demonstrate how deforestation, fragmentation, and habitat edges may affect native animal populations. Students accomplish this by playing a game from a provided worksheet and completing a graphing...

Learners explore the ocean depths. In this scenario based lesson, students pretend they are on a submarine in an unknown part of the ocean. By using clues the class discusses and determines where they are in the ocean. They follow up...

Young scholars view animals that camouflage at the Shedd aquarium website. In this camouflage lesson, students recognize that there are different types of camouflage, cryptic coloring, counter-shading, warning coloration and mimicry....

Students discover the lifestyles of a Florida Panther by investigating its habitat.  For this wild animal lesson, students utilize the Internet to research the habits of a Panther and what their habitat is.  Students create an...

Sixth graders make a model of a watershed. In this geography lesson, 6th graders view a shaded relief map of California and locate landmarks. Students examine the San Francisco Bay Watershed by following the journey of water through...

In this ecology worksheet, students read and study about coral reefs using online resources to complete 8 short answer questions. They watch a video related to the topic.

In this rainforests worksheet, students study satellite images and rainforest facts. They complete 8 short answer questions that follow.

Learners compare favorite family recipes. In this cultural diversity lesson, students interview family members and record favorite recipes. Learners examine cultural diversity through favorite foods.

Students use video and Internet components, to gain an understanding of non-native invasive plants and animals and the ecological and monetary problems they cause.

Young scholars practice using a dichotomous key. In this classification instructional activity, students read an article about scientific exploration and identification of new species. They use a dichotomous key to identify objects and...

Students define terms, and identify three ways in which plankton are adapted for life in the open ocean.  In this ocean drift instructional activity students design a planktonic organism. 

Students investigate the stages of succession in animal dung communities. They create a dung culture using fresh cow, goat or horse dung then record data on the fungal species that appear over a two week period.

Students investigate the causes of hypoxia, the characteristics of a watershed, and how the actions and management practices of people can both negatively and positively affect aquatic ecosystems.

Students examine the marine sanctuaries in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They discover the interdependence of all living things and work together in groups to create a poster about what they have discovered during the lesson. They...

Strict habitat requirements are needed for the survival of fish populations and fish variety in the Great Lakes. Young scientists become experts in the basic needs of fish and understand how survival necessities can vary with different...

Pupils conduct Internet research of the living organisms in national marine sanctuaries, and the resources protected in the sanctuaries. Students gather information about each of the sanctuaries and make an oral presentation and poster...

Learners use microscopes to investigate the diversity of life that exists in pond water. They then conduct a controlled investigation to study the effect of a pollutant (rice) on a microcosm ecosystem.

Students participate in a national survey of biological indicators of climate change by gathering and submitting data on local plants and animals.

Young scholars, after locating different marine habitats on a globe, play a card game about ecosystems, food webs and organisms.

Students discuss the Endangered Species Act and its impact on people and the environment. They read the act and watch video footage. They examine why sea turtles are endangered and efforts to protect them. They analyze numerical results...

Students design an experiment to test the effects of a change in the amount of dissolved oxygen of water on aquatic plants and animals. Questions are offered for exploration and experiment design. Results are tabulated and conclusions...

Students read an online article to study about the death of Joan Root. They research endangered ecosystems around the world and design ad campaigns to create public awareness.