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An Environmental Puzzle: The Carbon Cycle
Students are introducced to how respiration and photosysnthesis cycle carbon through ecosystems. They read background information that describes the role of the Sun as Earth's ultimate energy source and explains how the energy...
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America's Energy Future
Students write a proposal to save energy resources. For this energy lesson, students research nuclear energy, coal power, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy. Students then debate energy issues and share...
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Comparing Different Energy Resources
Young scholars examine the advantages and disadvantages of the different sources of energy. For this energy lesson students complete an experiment and worksheet.
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Solar Power
Fifth graders create their own solar panel. They use this experiment to see how the sun can be used as a form of energy.
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Windmill of Your Mind - Distributed Energy Goes to School
Learners research the possibility and feasibility of installing a wind-turbine distributed energy system for their school. They conduct research, watch an online video, analyze the cost of the project and examine the benefits, and write...
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Energy Alternatives Explorations
For this energy alternatives explorations worksheet, middle schoolers explore alternative energy sources by using the linked web resources to answer 8 questions about different resources and identify the ones that would work in their...
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How We're Connected
Young scholars take a survey in order to find out how they live in relationship to the environment. They take the time to investigate the differences between a need and a want. This is done as part of the self-assessment. Students also...
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Land Habitats: Grade 3 Science
Build your students scientific vocabulary with this slide show on land habitats. Each slide provides a vocabulary word, image, and definition of a term common to habitats and the environment. Great for science class or as comprehensible...
National Park Service
Reduce Our Carbon Footprint, Let’s Compost!
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready to start...
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Energy and the Environment
Fifth graders define alternative energy form, design models which show how the energy source can be used, and explain the purpose of dams.
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Environmental Benefits of Recycling
Fourth graders understand the benefits of recycling. For this recycling literacy lesson, 4th graders read an article and identify the main idea. Students understand the process of transfer to the landfill and discuss how recycling helps...
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Lesson 2 of 5 - Energy
Students complete an energy analysis for the No Impact Man project. In this environment and energy lesson plan, students review the project by visiting the given website and discuss the issue of electricity in the project. Students watch...
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The Biofuel Project: Creating Biodiesel
Students research about the processing of biodiesel fuels. In this energy lesson, students produce their own biodiesel using used and new vegetable oil. They discuss the environmental and economic benefits of using biodiesel.
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Make a Solar Oven
Students build a solar oven. In this Science lesson, students construct a functional solar oven. Students design the oven and explain the energy concepts involved.
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Leaves: All-Natural Solar Collectors
Take a good look at tree leaves and notice the adaptations for collecting solar energy. Pupils trace the margins of five different leaves onto graph paper and count the number of squares covered. They then relate this infomation to the...
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Catch the Pollution
Explore environmental care by conducting a pollution experiment. You'll discuss the causes of pollution in our environment and what the overall impact will be if we can't change our ways. Clear plastic tape, a can, and compass are used...
Science Matters
Post-Assessment
Twenty questions make up an assessment designed to test super scientists' knowledge of ecosystems. Scholars answer multiple-choice and short-answer questions about organisms, food chains, energy flow, and more.
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The Greenhouse Effect
Why does it get so hot inside of our cars in the summertime? The greenhouse effect! Lab groups experiment to see what happens to an ice cube enclosed in a jar and placed in sunlight as compared to an ice cube outside of the jar. They...
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Energy Sources and Use
Students read and understand the importance of energy sources. In this Renewable and nonrenewable lesson, students read an article to become familiar with the uses of energy. Students read an article and answer questions about fossil...
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Plugged in to CO2
Students use a meter to measure the energy used and carbon produced by electronics and appliances. For this environmental science and technology lesson, students use a Kill-A-Watt meter to determine the electricity used by everyday...
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Water in the Biosphere
Environmental explorers examine the campus and take note of living organisms. Introduce them to the biosphere and the questions of the day: How much water can be found in the biosphere? A slide show helps you along, and even contains a...
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Micro-Climate
Atmosphere aces investigate the microclimates that exist within a larger area. They use a thermometer to record the varying temperatures and identify the microclimates on a map that they have drawn. This exercise helps them to understand...
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Energizing Resources
Seventh graders describe electrical energy and how it is produced. In this natural resource lesson, 7th graders explain the various ways of obtaining and using natural resources for energy and the environmental consequences. They will...
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School Lighting Audit Preparation
Students work together to develop a school lighting audit plan. They practice using new vocabulary related to an energy audit. They also identify the components of a school lighting audit.