Channel Islands Film
Arlington Springs Man: Lesson Plan 2
West of the West's documentary Arlington Springs Man and a two-page scientific article about the same topic provide the text for a reading comprehension exercise that asks individuals to craft a one page summary of information gathered...
Curated OER
Lead and Mercury: Comparing Two Environmental Evils
High schoolers in chemistry or health courses look at the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and periodic table of elements to gather information about mercury and lead, two toxic materials that have been found in food products. They read...
Curated OER
Water Alchemy
After reading "Aquatic Alchemy," an article about recapturing water for reuse when in space, your class will use calcium hydroxide or hydrated lime to purify cloudy water. Geared toward high school chemistry or environmental science...
Pulitzer Center
The Global Water Crisis
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 activity, but one of them...
Curated OER
Disease and Epidemics
Students watch a video to introduce the study of historical outbreaks of infectious diseases and epidemics. They create charts of diseases after reading an article and share their information as a class.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Winogradsky Columns: Microbial Ecology in the Classroom
Winogradsky columns are ideal for observing the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in an ecosystem. This student activity guide is complete with data tables for observations and analysis questions for processing what was observed....
Teach Engineering
Enough Energy? Play the Renew-a-Bead Game
Pairs simulate the energy usage of different countries by drawing beads from a bag, which contain different beginning ratios of non-renewable and renewable energy resources. The activity concludes with a series of questions to tie...
Channel Islands Film
Restoration Channel Islands Debate
Introduce learners to the debate format with an activity that uses the National Park Service's controversial Channel Islands restoration program as a topic. Class members learn how to generate provocative debate questions, how to prepare...
Curated OER
Harvesting of Trees: Library Media Center Resources
Students research harvesting of trees in the United States and write a summary. In this informative lesson plan students state whether they agree or disagree with an article and write a summary on why.
Curated OER
Global Warming and Rainforests
Students examine the connections between global warming and the condition of the rainforests. In this geography lesson, students read an article about the 2 topics and then write summaries of the information they read.
Curated OER
What Do People Know About Radon?
Students read the fictitious newspaper article entitled, "Levels of Radon in Jersey Town Exceed Limits." This helps them get a basic vocabulary started for the terms and concepts related to radon. In groups, they identify words that they...
Curated OER
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint to Help the Environment
Young scholars examine their environment. In this carbon footprint lesson, students look at how he/she impacts their environment with the waste they create and the energy they use. As a class they read an article and listen to podcasts...
Curated OER
Studying Species By Examining the Evolution of the Canidae Family
Students read an article on the characteristics of wolves and dogs then complete a phylogenetic tree of the canid family. They then write an essay justifying why or why not wolves and dogs should be classified as different species.
Curated OER
Back to School: Traits of a Scientist
High schoolers explore the traits a successful scientist must possess. In this biology lesson, students research articles about an accidental scientific discovery. They share their articles with the class.
Curated OER
How Can You Detect the Invisible?
Students participate in a lab activity in which they examine the characteristics of radon. They identify radon's link to cases of lung cancer. They complete a radon fact sheet and answer questions to end the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Three is a Toxic Number
Future public health advocates read a case study of a combination of water pollutants that may be linked to autism. The class is split into three groups, one to research each of the suspected chemicals. The look at how each one affects...
Curated OER
Manufacture of Ground Beef
Students study the proper temperature and technique to cook ground meat safely. They examine the critical control points when ground beef is being processed.
Curated OER
Pandemics
Students demonstrate their knowledge of past, present and future pandemics. They create timeline for the spread of Influenza Pandemic of 1918. They discuss parallels between outbreaks of influenza and bird flu.
Curated OER
Health Care
Students analyze information and draw conclusions about the reality of human life expectancy; the battle between health care technology and our own internal time clocks. Students answer questions such as "Why does aging occur and can...
Curated OER
Reaching Across Borders In Southern Africa
Young scholars gain a greater understanding of how political borders impact human and environmental development. Then, either individually or as a class, establish a correspondence with a Peace Corps volunteer working in Africa.
Curated OER
Microbes and Our Food
Young scholars investigate foodborne illnesses and involved microbes. They identify major pathogens and then research and explain how they contaminate foods and how people are affected.
Curated OER
Biology Research Assignment
Students become aware of and develop an appreciation for science in the world around us.
Curated OER
A Variety of Very Safe Veggies
Students study viruses and bacteria that can contaminate vegetables. They examine how vegetables can be preserved and what farmers might do to keep vegetables safe. They examine with pickling as a way to keep vegetable preserved safely.
Curated OER
Keeping Milk Fresh
Students identify the risks of spoilage and pathogens in fresh milk. They investigate the farmer's role in keeping milk safe to drink and identify safety procedures used in dairy farming.