Curated OER
Earth's Energy Budget - Seasonal Cycles in Net Radiative Flux
Students attempt to understand seasonal variation by viewing images of the energy received by the earth. In this weather lesson, students view images from NASA of the influx of energy from the sun and make predictions about resulting...
National Wildlife Federation
Wherefore Art Thou, Albedo?
In the sixth lesson in a series of 21, scholars use NASA data to graph and interpret albedo seasonally and over the course of multiple years. This allows learners to compare albedo trends to changes in sea ice with connections to the...
Curated OER
Daily Radiation "Balance"
Students explore the amount of radiation in the Earth's atmosphere. They calculate the total amount of incoming and outgoing radiation over a day and determine how "balanced" the radiative system is over a particular location.
Redefining Progress
Have and Have-Not
Is there a correlation between a country's wealth and the extent of its ecological footprint? What exactly constitutes an ecological footprint, and how does one country stack up against the rest? This is a unique lesson to incorporate...
Curated OER
Climate Change & Coral Activities
Students study how the ocean stabilizes our planet's climates and how global warming is becoming a threat to this fine balance. In this climate change lesson, students identify that fossil fuel emissions are responsible for global...
Curated OER
Atom Models Through the Ages
Eighth graders explain the development of the atomic model over time. In this chemistry lesson plan, 8th graders research about the scientists who made a contribution to the atomic theory. They create a three-dimensional model based on...
Curated OER
Environment: The Haves and the Have Nots
Students examine consumption habits in developed and developing countries and determine their effects on natural resources. In groups, they assess graphs on the Living Planet Report and observe the connection between consumption and...
Curated OER
Forest Loss Slows as Asian Nations Plant
Middle schoolers survey the loss of forests around the world. For this environmental lesson, students read an article that outlines how forests are being lost and government interaction which encourages forests to be rebuilt. Activities...
Curated OER
Optics - The Study of Light
In this optics instructional activity, learners read about how light can reflect or refract and how lenses and mirrors work. Then students complete 13 matching, 27 fill in the blank, and 8 word problems.
Curated OER
Optics- The Study of Light
In this optics activity, students read about refraction and reflection, lenses and mirrors, and objects and images. They answer 13 matching questions about light rays, light behavior and types of lenses. They also answer 9 questions such...
Curated OER
BREAD IN A BAG
If possible, acquire a handful of wheat kernels from a local farmer or seed dealer. Hand them out so students can feel them and see what they look like. Share background information. 2. Draw a wheat kernel on the chalkboard, or use the...
Curated OER
Gone Fishin'
Students experiment with population management in this hands-on lesson. In this biology lesson, students collect data on overuse of a resource and how to manage for sustainability. Students fish for m&m's using straws and try to...
Curated OER
Transport
Students analyze wind barbs and determine which way the wind is blowing and how hard the wind is blowing. They access near real time wind data and pollutant animations to track the transport and destination of pollutants.
Curated OER
Gone Fishin'
Students explore fishing and the food web. They simulate the role of fisherman using candy as fish and use provided materials to create a fishing device. Afterward, they complete data tables to organize the day's catch and report the...