Middle schoolers examine the influence of biodiversity on human culture through the use of birds. They brainstorm words that come to mind when they think of human cultures. They describe ways that human culture and biodiversity are linked.

Students familiarize themselves with values of biodiversity. They comprehend that biodiversity has inspirational and cultural values. Students locate five works of art on Zoo grounds that represent biodiversity in some way.

What kinds of birds are common in the area? Young scientists use household supplies to create bird feeders. They then document the birds that come to their feeders by keeping journals. 

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...

Students examine the components and relationships of ecoregions and ecosystem management. They define ecoregion and ecosystem, list ecoregions, and participate in a simulation that demonstrates the connections between parts of the...

Students identify producers and consumers from marine ecosystems and describe the balance among them in the environments. After constructing a food chain from a marine ecosystem, they examine human activities that can upset the balance...

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.

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

Middle schoolers read 3 or 4 Science articles and complete a chart.  In this scientific thought concept lesson, students play a game using their chart to reinforce their ideas and concepts.  Middle schoolers make a list of the...

Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...

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.

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 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 observe the process of transect sampling using insect nets, to get a chance to compare the presence of different species and populations in various vegetational areas. They study the different specimens caught and compare their...

Describe how plate tectonics account for various land formations. Learners discuss different marine sanctuaries and create a poster about tectonic activity in these areas. They share their posters with the class.

It's time to save endangered species through engineering. The third lesson in a nine-part Life Science unit has young environmentalists study species extinction. An engaging discussion leads to some ideas on how to use engineering design...

Learners participate in an interactive activity using the scientific method to study biodiversity.  In this insect monitoring activity, students simulate the layers of soil and the insects that would live there. Learners design...

Middle schoolers explore the Earth's various biomes and ecosystems using Internet research. They create a multimedia poem using the photos, sounds, and vocabulary from their research.

Students examine the characteristics of their own environment and compare them to another region. They prepare a box filled with items and stories about their own region, exchange the box with another class in another region, and...

Students examine the effects of various methods of fishing on fish populations and biodiversity. They read a handout, participate in a simulation of different fishing methods, record the results, and answer discussion questions.

Students calculate the area of grasslands needed to support a small pride of lions. They also identify food web links in an ecosystem and trace the energy pathways in an ecosystem.

Young scholars observe aquatic plants and animals and identify their systems. For this plants and animals lesson plan, students compare systems of organisms and orally express how plants and animals rely on each other.

It's the attack of the clones! Not to worry; these are just plant clones. Teen horticulturalists will enjoy growing their own clone into a plant in an activity designed to be revisited after a few weeks. It is one experiment that kids...

Learners discuss the types of technology that are used to control the population of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. They explain the parasite/host relationship and understand the devastating impact invasive species have on ecosystems....