+
Lesson Plan
Pulitzer Center

The Global Water Crisis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the "quiet crisis," the lack of clean water, by reading articles and viewing video clips. They discuss the situations in Ethiopia, Yemen, Kenya, and Nepal. There are two options for the lesson, but one of them...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Goin' Down; The Rain Forest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discover the global problem of deforestation. In this environmental lesson, students identify organizations on the quest to stop deforestation. Learners also discover what they can do to solve this global dilemma.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Delicate Balance - Iowa's Natural Resources

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Discover the natural resources in Iowa by studying it's history. In this environmental instructional activity, your students will observe a topographical map of Iowa and identify where its most valuable resources are. They complete an...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organic and Inorganic Recycling

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine their role in polluting the environment and discuss the importance of recycling. In groups, they place earthworms into compost piles to observe why they are considered natural recyclers. They also practice sorting a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biotechnology: An Agricultural Dilemma

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the types of genetically modified crop plants there are and the benefits and risks of such plants. The agricultural needs in developing nations for this biological knowledge to resolve societal issues is also...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hemispheres: People and Place

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is an astounding series of lessons, designed for high schoolers, on environmental policy. By studying water conservation in rural India, the role of the government, and the reaction of the people, learners begin to formulate...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cost of Telling the Truth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Leopold's Land Ethic involving illegal river dumping. They consider the dilemmas of the case study and share their ideas for a solution using group discussion and individual answers.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Efficiency at Home: An Interdisciplinary Module for Energy Education

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine energy efficiency and how they use energy at home.  In this energy conservation lesson students complete several science activities that give learners a better understanding of energy.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wildland/Urban Interface Dilemma

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine all sides of the issues surrounding wildland fire. Groups assume the roles of different people who must decide what to do about a fictitious wildfire. They have a discussion to analyze the issue. A good, real life lesson!
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bioethics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars are introduced to the issues surrounding bioethics and begin to discover how some of these values can influence decision making. The exciting part of this lesson is the constructivist method used to engage students of all...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alderwood Manor: A Sequential Inquiry in Environmental Bioethics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore bioethics. They discuss the traditional ethics of human conduct and man's relationship with nature. Students identify ethical dilemmas. They discuss ramifications of economic and ecological concerns with bioethics.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sonoran Desert

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students discuss the complicated environmental issues that face different people today. They establish legal positions surrounding several different scenarios.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simulation: Yum, Yum Trees Simulation: Yum Yum Trees Conservation of Resources

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students weigh the uses of the yum yum tree against the problem of conserving them. In this conservation lesson, groups of students discuss and make suggestion to conserve the yum, yum trees. Students apply knowledge to renewable and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuel and the Ticking Clock

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students study energy sources to learn about fossil fuels and environmental concerns. In this energy sources lesson, students watch demonstrations for various energy examples. Students find hidden pennies, make a bar graph on their data,...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy Crisis

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students participate in different activities and discussions to analyze the energy crisis in the United States and other parts of the world. In groups, they research the availability of fossil fuels and the possible alternatives. Using...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energetic Energy: A Child?s Guide to Responsible Energy Use

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore how energy transforms into heat.  In this energy lesson students create models and find a need for fuel to make a Stirling engine. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

HI-02-01 Somalia: A Failed Intervention?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study ethics and the importance on humanitarian interventions.  In this lecture lesson students read case studies and answer questions regarding the importance of government and humanitarian interventions then watch a film...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Illinois' Habitats Happening

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners use the scientific inquiry method to examine the ecosystems and biomes in Illinois. Using the characteristics of a local habitat, they identify the best conditions for an ecosystem to survive and how a slight change can damage...