Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Pollution: A Local and Global Problem

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to solve the problem of air pollution. Using the Internet, they research the pollution problem in one city. Using the data, they develop their own solution and pitch it to the class. They must identify the...
Lesson Plan
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Insect Biology and Ecology: A Primer

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Young scholars explore insects and closely related organisms. They examine the growth and development of a lady beetle. Students classify insects and organize them. They investigate pest management.
Lesson Plan
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Fishing For The Future

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students participate in a simulation using M&M's that highlights Garrett Hardin's concept of the "tragedy of the commons." They use the activities to study sustainability issues in the fishing industry.
Lesson Plan
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Net Results

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate through role play how decisions by watermen, recreational fisherpeople, and lawmakers influence and are influenced by economics and the abundance or scarcity of fish and shellfish stocks. They consider social,...
Lesson Plan
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Is That Natural?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine how they use and waste natural resources. They participate in a class discussion about natural resources, in small groups complete a worksheet identifying ways students misuse natural resources, and create an...
Lesson Plan
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Yeast

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the characteristics of yeasts. In this biology lesson, students conduct experiments to measure yeast respiration. They discuss the favorable conditions needed for growing them.
Lesson Plan
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The Lynx Eats The Hare

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the predator and prey relationship. This is done using a simple simulation. The simulation is done as an arts and craft activity. Students record data and track it using a graphic organizer and then they discuss the...
Lesson Plan
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Endangered Species !: Why Are Species Endangered?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the various issues and problems faced by endangered species globally. They research the plight of endangered species, create a poster of a selected animal, and present their poster and research to the class.
Lesson Plan
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Learning the Causes of Extinction

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are introduced to the five major reasons for extinction. In groups, they read scenarios and divide them into different categories. Using the internet, they identify which reason a certain animal became extinct. To end the...
Lesson Plan
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Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explain the purpose of MPA's. In this biology lesson, 9th graders identify MPA's in Southern California. They simulate coastal sampling using candy from two buckets. Students analyze their results and share it with the class.
Lesson Plan
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Ecotourism in National Parks and Wilderness

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars develop a plan for ecotourism after researching a nearby national park or wild area.
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School Lighting Audit Preparation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
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Preying on Beans

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars act as predators searching for prey (beans) in two different settings to demonstrate the processes of adaptation and selection.
Lesson Plan
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Cold and Warm Blooded Animals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers research facts about a cold or warm-blooded animal in order to designa report either as PowerPoint or word processed document. They use online resources and insert images in to the report. They include the specified...
Lesson Plan
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The Interdependence of Birds and the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders participate in the "Checks and Balances" game. This game lets them experience the interdependence of oragnisms specific to the Great Salt Lake. They recieved informaton about food chains, food webs, trophic levels various...
Interactive
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The Human Footprint

For Students 9th - 12th
In this environmental stewardship lesson, students view the human footprint website and then answer 3 short answer questions related to human impact on the earth.
Lesson Plan
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Creating the Future

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners work together to develop and write scenerios for the future of hazardous waste cleanup. They share their scenerios with the class. They complete activities as well.
Lesson Plan
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State of the Planet's Wildlife

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners view and discuss a video about the challenges facing wildlife on the planet Earth. They define key terms, watch the video, and answer discussion questions about the film.
Lesson Plan
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What Makes a Home "Energy Efficient"?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners research and report the costs and benefits of making their own homes more energy efficient. In this energy conservation lesson, students explore energy efficient technologies and design over several days. They complete a home...
Lesson Plan
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Agriculture Around the World

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore various kinds of farming methods around the world.  In this history lesson, students view pictures of farming methods, then compare and contrast them in a class discussion with the methods of farming that are used...
Lesson Plan
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Traveling Through Time, Wetland Style

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a timeline on the development of the Pajaro Valley Area. In this social science instructional activity, students discuss the changes that took place in the area over the past 300 years. They draw a pictures of how the...
Lesson Plan
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Natural Resources Trick-or-Treat

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore that some resources are finite. They are able to deelop an understanding of commodities-some resources are worth more than others so companies choose to spend more money to find them. Students realize that some...
Lesson Plan
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Problem Based Learning Scenario

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about the function of MPA's. In this marine science lesson, students explore how humans influence changes near these areas. They explore different MPA's in the Great Lakes region.
Lesson Plan
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Ecological Succession in Pond Water Cultures

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students collect samples of pond water, dried grass, and soil in a jar. They predict the order of ecological succession in their pond water cultures. They compare their expected results with their observed results.