National Institute of Open Schooling
Air Pollution
Seventy percent of the air pollution in China is due to car exhaust. Under the umbrella of environmental chemistry, learners extensively explore air pollution. From the makeup of our atmosphere to sources of major air pollutants, classes...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Can We Absorb Nanoparticle Pollutants?
Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there! A growing concern for environmental scientists is toxic nanoparticles in our air and water. Young scholars conduct an experiment to demonstrate how these particles can cross our...
Curated OER
Clearing the Air
Students read a New York Times article and investigate a variety of emissions that contribute to global warming. They participate in a mock international summit in which they present recommendations for reversing the global warming trend.
Cloud Front
Weathering, Erosion, and Landforms—Student Activities
Tired of your students taking you for granite? Use a unit that offers multiple hands-on weathering and erosion labs and interactive activities. Some of the exciting lessons include planning a tour of Australia, using ice to break glass,...
Curated OER
Coco Locomotion
Technology tutees read a description about coconuts and how they are used to make biodiesel fuel. Note that the link to the article does not work, and the article does not appear to be available online. There are, if you look for one,...
Curated OER
Milkweed Monitoring
Ninth graders study milkweed and see how it is effected by ozone. In this air pollution lesson students complete a lab activity that includes data analysis.
Curated OER
Moving without Wheels
Students observe a simple water cycle model to better understand its role in pollutant transport. This activity shows one way in which pollution is affected by the water cycle; it simulates a point source of pollution in a lake and the...
Curated OER
Air, Air Everywhere! Lesson 2: Acid Rain
Middle school environmentalists record the pH of four different liquids, including two aerosol cleaning products. They liken the products to acid rain and speculate in writing which might affect the human respiratory system. Although...
Curated OER
Indoor Air Pollutant Sensing LAB: Peppermint Diffusion
Students engage in an experiment for the scientific concept of diffusion of particles. There are instructions for classroom set up prior to conduction of the activity. Students sit in the classroom that is filled with the smell of...
University of Florida
Protecting Our Water Resources
Teach young environmentalists to protect their planet's resources with a set of interactive experiments. Kindergartners and other youngsters learn about watersheds and the water cycle, while older elementary learners focus on fertilizer...
Curated OER
Human or Natural?
Students explore nature by participating in a class lab activity. In this human vs. nature lesson plan, students examine a group of items in their classroom and discuss whether they were created naturally or have been altered or created...
Curated OER
Ecologist's Activities
Young scholars construct a model of a biome. In this ecology lesson, students use a shoebox, magazine pictures, paper, and string to create a model biome. Young scholars glue the photos inside the shoe box and draw other objects, such as...
Curated OER
Indoor Air Pollutant Sensing LAB Lead-In: A Canary in a Coal Mine?
Students investigate the causes of carbon monoxide in mines and other common sources of CO. Pupils read the worksheet "Canary in a Coal Mine" before beginning this investigation. They discuss ethical issues regarding treatment of miners...
Curated OER
Heat Transfer and Pollution
Students perform computer simulations on air dispersion. In this chemistry instructional activity, students calculate energy transfer based on specific heat and temperature change. They explain the causes of smog.
Curated OER
LAB: Temperature Inversion - Pollution Simulation
Students, after identifying and examining the relationship of temperature and air masses in association with smog and pollution, create a temperature inversion in a long aquarium jar. They experience what happens when smog builds up and...
Curated OER
CO Buildup City
Students conduct a controlled experiment. They collect data in an organized manner. Students analyze data to reach a conclusion and communicate findings. They explain how city size, temperature, and pollution is related to the air quality.
Curated OER
Water Chestnut Graphing Activity
Students are taught how to format and enter data into an Excel spreadsheet. They make a graph and interpret graphed data. Students discuss possible impacts of water chestnut invasion. They graph data on water chestnut. Students report...
Virginia Department of Education
The Germ Theory and Koch’s Postulates
Explore the history of cholera and its effect on society with your biology class. Young biologists will then proceed to grow their own germs, prepared from live cultures, and follow the steps of the scientific method to generate data....
Curated OER
Suspended Particulates lab
Learners observe differences between suspended particulates and a solution, and classify common atmospheric gases and particulates. They explain what they think the word suspended means. Students observe the differences between what...
Curated OER
Evaporation and Condensation
Learners explore how temperature effects the processes of evaporation and condensation and how the air may be polluted by the evaporation of certain compounds. For this temperature lesson students complete a lab and a worksheet.
Curated OER
Dripping Wet or Dry as a Bone?
Students use a sponge and water model to explore the concept of relative humidity and create a percent scale. They define humidity and saturation, build a simple humidity/saturation model, collect, predict and interpret data, and create...