Curated OER
The Social and Economic Impact of Wildlife and Natural Resource Management
Students develop an understanding of environmental laws and regulations. In this research activity, students utilize information that involves controversial issues of wildlife and society.
Curated OER
Weed Management Conflict
Students read and discuss conflict resolution scenario relating to weed management, role play members of different interest groups, prepare presentations and present to City Commissioners, and choose best land-use option.
Practical Action
Climate Change - Who's In Control?
How can both individuals and governments respond to climate change and take responsibility to reduce its effects on our environment? Here you will find three lessons filled with discussion, debate, and role-playing...
Curated OER
Timber Harvesting: A Civic Debate
Eighth graders analyze and identify the importance of our forests and how to manage them properly. In this tree instructional activity students read forestry material and come up with different alternatives to the identified problems.
Curated OER
Timber Harvesting: A Civic Debate, Day 1
Eighth graders develop an understanding of the strategies used in the sustainability of forests. In this timber harvesting lesson students identify and analyze the importance of forests and their management techniques.
Curated OER
Caring for the Land
Learners study soil management and issues relating to agriculture and the environment. In this agriculture and environment lesson, students define the terms farmer, environmentalist, and activist. Learners use a Venn diagram to compare...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Faces of Climate Change
Sometimes, the best solution to a problem can be found by walking in someone else's shoes. Here, scholars use character cards to take on the roles of people around the world. They determine how their character's life affects our...
Curated OER
Forest Management
Students explore the changes in the Sequoia forest ecosystem. They evaluate reasons for the changes and discuss opposing views of human activity, logging and fire management practices. Students observe a video, describe the location of...
Curated OER
Valuing Our Time
Students examine different time management techniques. In this life skills lesson students complete an exercise to help them complete their goals in a timely fashion.
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Energy Efficiency in the Home
Students discover ways to conserve energy in their homes. For this energy efficiency lesson students analyze a set of data and design a solution that results in higher energy efficiency.
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Land Use Decision
Students identify social and ecological considerations where human uses of land and trees conflict with each other and ecosystem needs, and describe importance of land-use management and planning through role play.
Curated OER
Red Light, Green Light
Students investigate the friction between tires and the road and how it affects the movement of cars while driving. They discuss and define friction, experiment with sandpaper and wax paper to determine which material provides the least...
Curated OER
Goals, Interactions and Outcomes
Students recognize both sides of a dilemma through use of a Human Interaction Outline. In this Goals, Interactions and Outcome lesson plan, students create a diagram to show opposing views of fishermen and oil companies. Students...
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What is That Smell?
Students identify various scents by using their sense of smell. In this five senses lesson, students smell items such as popcorn, mint, and lemon and identify the scents by only using their sense of smell.
Curated OER
Energy and Resources
Students identify renewable and nonrenewable resources. In this energy lesson plan, students explore the consumption issues regarding oil use and consider methods of resource management. Students research alternative resources and...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Faces of Climate Change
You know global warming is real when your squirrel feeder is full of popped corn instead of kernels! Activity two in a series of five allows learners to explore climate change through the eyes of another. After briefly analyzing their...
Curated OER
Too Many Otters
Second graders investigate the habitat of otters. In this animal science lesson, 2nd graders role play the job of wildlife biologists and try to manage the otter population. Students use a map to track their specific otter population.
Curated OER
Clearcutting: Sustainable Forestry?
Students explore the conflicts between the economy and the environment by focusing on forest management in Maine. They read pamphlets on siliviculture and clear-cutting as well as those by environmental groups then conduct a debate on...
Curated OER
The Hat We Wear
Young scholars explore how they can use their skills to apply to the job industry. In this career choice lesson students participate in a discussion and an esteem builder exercise.
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere: The Johnstown Flood
Students analyze the events that lead up to the failure of the South Fork Dam and the impact the flood had on the region. In this historical lesson plan students develop presentations on the Johnstown Flood.
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A world of oil
High schoolers practice in analyzing spatial data in maps and graphic presentations while studying the distribution of fossil fuel resources. They study, analyze, and map the distribution of fossil fuels on blank maps. Students discuss...
Curated OER
Castaway or Survivor
What a clever idea! Chemistry learners imagine themselves deserted on an island with a radio, but no batteries. They also have a few odds and ends in their pockets and storage chest. They are challenged to create a battery that will...
Curated OER
Evacuating a Volcano: A Simulation
Students explore hazards associated with cataclysmic natural events, and human responses to them by creating emergency plans.
Curated OER
Salmon vs. Dams: The Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students use roll playing to discuss the merits of tearing down these dams so that the Elwha River can run free. The activity is presented in the form of a council meeting to encourage students to try to build consensus in finding...