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Clarity And Turbidity
Students measure the clarity of a body of water and identify possible environmental complications that can be attributed to clarity and turbidity.
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Eek, It leaks!
Students construct model landfill liners out of two-inch strips of garbage bags within resource constraints. The challenge is to construct a bag that will hold one cup of water without leaking. This represents similar challenges that...
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Erosion Explosion
Ninth graders explore soil erosion. Through a class discussion, they examine soil conservation methods. Given a potted plant, 9th graders observe the effects of erosion when water is poured over the soil. Students brainstorm terms...
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Nutrient Enrichment vs. Oxygen Depletion
Learners investigate how excess nutrients enter a body of water, and the harmful effects they have on aquatic organisms.
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Meteorology (Condensation)
Second graders define condensation and evaporation. They identify and describe the steps in the water cycle. They ask questions to end the lesson.
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Making Connections, Linking Population and the Environment
Students find out that all habitats have a carrying capacity. They explore how the world's human population has grown markedly in the 20th century, and that humans impact environmental health. Students investigate that people can and...
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Acid Rain Research
Students collect samples of rainfall, cloud condensation, and water that trickles through the soil. These samples are tested for pH, conductivity, and the presence of sulfates, nitrates, calcium, and magnesium.
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The Urban Heat Island Effect - Lesson 2 (Grades 8-9)
Students use the scientific process to show that when various surfaces are exposed to similar environmental conditions, surface temperatures may vary. They examine the "urban heat island" phenomenon and analyze why it increases energy...
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Social Studies and Children's Literature
Students are read a story about Alejandro and how he builds an oasis to attract animals. Using the text, they discover the needs of the animal not only for water but for safety. They discuss different environmental issues as well as...
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Earthworm Bridge
Fourth graders complete analysis experiments for decomposers and their adaptable traits. In this decomposers lesson, 4th graders test worm behavior to light, sound, warmth, touch, and moisture. Students work in groups to analyze the...
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Investigative Case - Living in an Alkaline Environment
Students are shown many ways in which Mono Lake water and distilled water are different. They demonstrate that the survival of common soil bacteria declines as pH increases. Students examine the behaviors, adaptations, energy transfer,...
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Rocks and Minerals
Students identify how weathering and erosion effect the Earth's surface. In this weathering and rocks lesson plan, students study various types of rocks in water and brainstorm ways the Earth's surface changes. Students view an...
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River Planning
Students use a model to conduct an experiment involving dam construction. Based on their observations, they draw conclusions about social, economic, and and environmental issues and make a decision concerning dam location. As a group,...
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Taking Care of Business
Middle schoolers participate in a service project. In this stewardship lesson plan, students review the concepts of philanthropy and environmental stewardship. Middle schoolers practice being good stewards by researching public areas in...
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Pop Bottle Terrarium
Students make terrariums out of bottles, pebbles, cuttings from other plants, and water. In this terrarium lesson plan, students learn about recycling by using household items to make terrariums.
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Natural Refrigeration
Students build a refrigerator that does not require electricity. In this environmental science lesson, student consider desert dwellers of Africa who have no access to electricity. Students use flower pots, sand and water to study the...
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What I Can Do on Summer Vacation
Students explore environmentally friendly activities for summer vacation on the Gulf and create a travel guide for these activities.
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Showing Your Community to the World
Middle schoolers investigate the environmental and human implications to local communities of hosting a major exposition or fair in their region. They study current site conditions and develop a comprehensive plan.
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What Trickles Down?
Learners explore different levels of permeability and compare the permeabilities of several different materials. They are introduced to the basic concepts of building design, landscape architecture, and environmental pollutant transport....
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Civil Action
Students will observe the legal procedures involved in class action lawsuits and gain knowledge of how they are sometimes used as a tool to deter polluters of the environment. Students will also read about the background the Love Canal...
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A Plume of Contamination
Young scholars perform an experiment/investigative simulation regarding the movement of contaminants in groundwater. They test the pH of three water samples, and then use their reasoning skills to determine the source of an invisible...
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Rain Shadows and Sea Breezes
Students plot the average rainfall for a variety of cities in the United States. Using the map, they work together to determine patterns on which toxicants are transported through the air. They determine the impacts of various weather...
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Trophic Relationships, Cycling of Chemicals, Human Impact on Ecosystems and Conservation
Students explore how the energy flow through a system is related to trophic levels. They investigate how organisms affect the cycling of elements and water through the biosphere. Students participate in lab activities to observe ways...
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Ecosystem Worksheet
In this environment worksheet, students find the words that are related to the ecosystem. The vocabulary is used to help develop environmental awareness.