Michigan Sea Grant
Wetlands
Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...
Curated OER
Quality of Rice
Sixth graders research how farmers irrigate, harvest, and keep high standards of rice. For this farming lesson, 6th graders discover how rice, wheat and soy beans are farmed. Students make a chart showing the similiarities and differences.
Council for Economic Education
Cost/Benefit Analysis: Three Gorges Dam
Students, in groups, take various roles in evaluating the costs/benefits of the Three Gorges Dam project on the Yangtze River in China.
Curated OER
Global Climate Lesson Plans
Students explore the concept of global climate. In this global climate lesson plan, students research and investigate global warming and its effects on the world over the course of 9 lessons. Students create a proposal that show the...
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The Gift of the Nile: Egypt and its River
Students begin with a piece of a puzzle that shows an artifact from ancient Egypt. They find others who have pieces that go with their puzzle piece. Students work in these groups to construct a relief map of the Nile River Valley.
Curated OER
Space Exploration
Fourth graders observe an empty 14 oz. clear plastic cup and measure how much water the cup can hold when it is completely full. They work in groups to fill the plastic cup, but half of the groups receive a smaller vial and the other...
Curated OER
Environmental Health Hazards and Children
Students are introduced to the environmental hazards their community is facing. In groups, they develop a list of the ways humans have changed the Earth and how these changes have lead to environmental hazards. They record their...
Curated OER
Abolishing Slavery
Students explain the goals and methods of the abolitionist movement.
They identify key leaders in the movement. This lesson has adaptations for elementary through high school. Links are provided for resource readings.
Curated OER
Whose Water is It?
Students study water quality and water quantity issues in their community. They will examine state water laws, learn about current issues relating to water use and water scarcity in their region and the state, investigate and role play...
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The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm
Young scholars learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students discover small updrafts by making wind spirals.
Curated OER
Environmental Problems and Solutions
In this environmental problems and solutions worksheet, students are given a list of 25 environmental problems. They match them with a given solution and paste the matching pairs to a piece of construction paper.
Curated OER
The Slope of Land in Your Community
Students participate in finding the slope of a sand pile and then other materials. In this geology lesson, students describe what happens to the piles of materials when they are poured through a funnel. Students measure the slope using a...
Curated OER
Effects of Bread Sanitary Conditions on Mold Growth
Students examine fungi and where it comes from. For this mold lesson students determine the percentage of fruit juice in a fruit then identify the different types of mold.
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Endangered Species- Florida Panther
Students investigate the concept of the conservation of the Florida Panther and examine the effects of the Everglades water restoration project. They conduct a web based activity that includes the following: Listing what they know,...
Curated OER
Nobody's Home
Students participate in a simulation activity that examines the economic impact of the construction of a reservoir-both the positive and negative side.
Curated OER
The Politics of Water
Pupils investigate the Governor's Kansas Water Initiative. Students study rivers, cities and reservoirs and how their location effects the importance of their water quality issues.
Curated OER
Flow Rates of Faucets and Rivers
Students work together to discover the flow rates of faucets and rivers. They relate their results to engineering and applied science concepts. They make predictions on the flow rate of a nearby river in their local community.
Curated OER
Reservoir Activity
Students research the economic importance of the major reservoirs in Illinois. In groups, they manage a budget for one of the lakes to promote tourism in the area. They also work together to create advertisements.
Curated OER
Looking At Dams
Students examine the importance of dam projects in the Kansas-Lower Republican River Basin. Students create and experiment with a model of an earthern dam.
Curated OER
Rain Drops Keep Falin' On My Drainage Basin
Students compile information about rainfall, lake elevations and releases of water from Tuttle Creek reservoir into maps, graphs and charts.
Curated OER
Would You Like to Attend School in Japan?
Sixth graders construct pro and con T-charts about their education system and that of Japan. They choose which system they prefer and give five reasons for it. Their reasons must be based on strong arguments and evidence.
Curated OER
Identifying Wetlands
Young scholars describe three major categories of indicators that are used to delineate wetlands. For this wetlands lesson students visit a wetland and make observations then complete an activity using the soil.
Curated OER
How do rice farmers make good use of the land they use for planting rice?
Second graders discuss how farmers grow rice. In this rice growing lesson, 2nd graders see the optimal condition for land in order to grow rice. They experiment with clay and garden soil to see which holds water better.
Curated OER
Factors affecting infiltration and runoff
Young scholars investigate some of the factors that determine the amount of runoff. They are reminded that infiltration and runoff tend to work oppositely. When conditions are bad for infiltration they usually lead to runoff.