Beyond Benign
Ecological Footprint
How does your lifestyle measure up in terms of your ecological footprint? Young ecologists examine their impact on the planet using an insightful online calculator. A short quiz asks users to rank the size of their homes, their energy...
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Current Sources of Energy to Maintain a Sustainable Future
In small groups, fourth graders identify different sources of renewable and non-renewable energy. They research the pros and cons of using each of these resources. They rank household appliances according to energy usage and efficiency....
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Ecology Scavenger Hunt
Who doesn't love a scavenger hunt? Have your class complete a scavenger hunt to become familiar with ecology in this engaging lesson plan that has them organize their items on a paper bag to illustrate information. Furthermore, learners...
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Explore Efficient Energy Uses
In this energy worksheet, students explore different ways to conserve energy. They write a short description for each of the 10 methods presented.
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Machines: Designing Form and Function
Students design a boat model with simplified steam engine. In this ecology lesson, students compare renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. They determine the efficiency of their boat model.
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Survival of the Fastest: Predator and Prey in the African Savannah
Students explore the predator-prey relationship using an interactive game. In this biology lesson, students compare their physical attributes. They explain how predators develop to make it stronger and efficient as hunters. Each group...
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Conserving Resources by Watering Efficiently
Students determine a watering schedule that promotes healthy grass growth. In this plants and natural resource conservation activity, students plant grass seed in liter bottles and follow two different schedules that include "more...
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Intermediate Activity: Energy Guide Labels
Students explore energy efficient appliances. In this economics and ecology lesson, students compare and analyze EnergyGuide labels of various appliances. Students discuss federal government involvement with consumer awareness issues. ...
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Dichotomous Keys
Students utilize dichotomous keys to identify trees in their schools. Â In this ecological identification lesson, students practice creating dichotomous keys based on simple subjects such as hair color or sex of a person. Â Students use...
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Nutrient Cycling
AP environmental science or college-level ecology classes will glean a tremendous amount of information on nutrient cycles from this detailed PowerPoint. It covers nutrient requirements, biogeochemcial cycles, decomposition rates, and...
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The Efficient City
Students research and create a realistic plan for energy efficiency. In this investigative lesson students answer questions and fill out a worksheet on energy.Â
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How Much Land Does It Take To Produce Your Food?
Students calculate the amount of land required to produce the food eaten by an individual for one year. They compare the amount of land required to produce animal versus plant products. Students visualize the areas of land calculated.
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Composting Conundrum
Students research cafeteria composting. In this composting instructional activity, students design a vessel that would allow the cafeteria staff to collect food scraps for composting. Then students build a prototype and present it to the...
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Managing Your Energy Budget
Learners experience an inequitable resource distribution and electronically calculate their own Ecological Footprint. The assess their resource use and learn more about sustainable living strategies in a video tour by Penn State...
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Great Flathead Lake Ecosystem Mystery
Students analyze data to solve the mystery of what contributed to an ecological disaster at Great Flathead Lake. They read and graph the available data, create a food web of the problem ecosystem, and construct a formal problem statement...
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High School EcoHouse Curriculum
How has the level of carbon dioxide changed over recent years, and what is contributing it? Groups work together to research and present their findings in a creative way. Also built into the lesson is a visit to a sustainable house, but...
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The Biosphere
In this biosphere worksheet, students identify the different levels of organization that ecologists study. Students complete charts, sentences, and answer short answer questions.
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Something Rotten in West Bloomfield!
Student groups seek a possible ecological problem in the West Bloomfield area then either photograph or videotape the problem. They investigate how to measure the extent of the problem and do it.
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A Good Boat is Hard To Find
Eighth graders design and construct a safe and efficient human powered watercraft that can be used on a trip on the Great Lakes. Students utilize math and measurement skills to design and cut the pieces for their boat. Working in...
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Powering a Green Earth
Pupils compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable energy. In this environmental science lesson, students discuss the importance of going green. They identify the different components in a power grid system.
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Ecology: Trees
Fourth graders, while working in the classroom and the computer lab, utilizing supporting facts from previous lessons, write a creative story that imagines a world without forests. They write, type and print their stories and turn them...
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Predator-Prey Relationships
Students understand ecological systems. They provide experiences to assist citizens to increase their sensitivity and stewardship for the environment.
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The Integration of Science and Math Through Ecosystems
Students use the disciplines of math and science to examine ecosystems. In groups, they calculate the amount of supplies they would need to live in the classroom for one day, a week and a year. Using this information, they apply it to...
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Let us Help
Students explore water conservation. In this ecology and civic responsibility instructional activity, students identify agencies that monitor and help improve water quality and describe what they do. Students research these organizations...