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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Sundial

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore space science by conducting a sun experiment in class. In this time telling instructional activity, students discuss how the sun sits in our sky at exact times each day and how astronomy is based on our perspective of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Windmill

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore Earth science by conducting an energy experiment in class. In this windmill lesson plan, students identify how wind has been used to pump water throughout history and the latest developments wind energy has produced....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American Clay Pots

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore world culture by conducting an art project in class. In this Native American culture lesson, students identify the types of materials American Indians utilized in their artistic endeavors, specifically clay. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Renewable Energy Sentences

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students construct sentences using nouns and verbs from a "renewable energy" word bank. In this cross curriculum ecology and sentence structure grammar and mechanics lesson, students listen to the book Our Earth: Clean Energy by Peggy...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Protection

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore environmental care by participating in an Earth science activity. In this clean water lesson plan, students discuss what a watershed is, how they become polluted, and how it affects the overall quality of drinking water....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Are We Wasting Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study water conservation. In this water conservation lesson, students participate in a water conservation experiment. Students discover how to conserve water while washing their hands.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Calculating Your Foodometer

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore environmental issues by completing a food production class activity. In this carbon footprint lesson, students discuss the types of foods they eat, where they come from and what types of methods are used to transport...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community Gardens and Propaganda Posters

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research community gardens. In this community garden lesson, students discover the history of community gardens and assess the benefits of locally grown food. Students create propaganda posters aimed at inviting discussions...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composting "The Right Mix"

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the correct mix of material types for compost. In this composting lesson plan, students explore the correct amounts of different types of materials to create a compost heap. Students then create a compost heap.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Cell Simulation

For Teachers K - 4th
Students study photovoltaic technology. In this photovoltaic technology lesson, students simulate a photovoltaic system. Students discuss how to simulate a cloudy day.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life With Energy

For Teachers K - 4th
Students consider different forms of energy. In this energy lesson, students investigate different forms of energy. Students explore the advantages and disadvantages of these forms of energy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Garden Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the metric system. In this metric system lesson, 2nd graders compare measurements of common objects in metric units. Students compete in a garden scavenger hunt.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Conservation Lesson 1: Fossil Fuels and the Ticking Clock

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore energy production by participating in a class discussion. In this renewable energy instructional activity, students discuss the differences between solar, coal, wind and fossil fuel energy sources and why some are better...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Mine of Mine

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars explore natural resources by conducting a geology experiment in class. In this mineral mining lesson, students discuss the types of geological material that can be found when mining and the uses for these resources such as...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Cooking?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate solar energy by making sun tea.  In this ecology and solar energy instructional activity, students prepare traditional tea and "sun" tea, then record and graph data comparing color, clarity, smell and taste.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grass as Biomass

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore energy properties by listening to a sustainability lecture in class. In this biomass lesson, students identify what biomass is, how it can be transformed into a usable energy and how it complements the energy cycle....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Water Crisis

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Assign ecologists one of five countries that struggle with access to clean water. They research the water crisis in that country and then present information to classmates. A handout was designed for each country, and a worksheet on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waste Watchers

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Energy-aware learners conduct an audit on their electricity usage by recording their electric meter reading and assessing the thermostat, light bulbs, windows, and water heaters in their homes. In class, they analyze results and discuss...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Owns Water

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students role play how water is allocated to different holders of water rights. In this ecology lesson, students identify the different water rights available. They explore problems associated with water use including drought, degraded...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decision Making a Mock Town Meeting on a Proposed Tank Farm

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the potential hazards to the water supply. In this ecology lesson, students role play a town hall meeting to discuss the proposal of a storage tank construction in their place. They present their arguments and vote on a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Exploration of Wind Energy and Wind Turbines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How is wind produced and is it a good source for energy production? Get some air moving in your class. Learners take a pre-test, watch a demonstration of how electricity can be generated by wind energy, test different turbine factors for...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Definitely for high schoolers, this lesson is an open-ended exploration of energy efficiency. Groups of two to three junior environmental engineers design an experiment to test for efficiency. They prepare a full lab report and poster...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caribbean Adventures: Research and Desktop Publishing

For Teachers 7th - 9th
If you want an interesting way to teach about the Caribbean that incorporates technology, this might be your answer. Class members conduct a WebQuest to gather information about Caribbean islands and create a travel brochure using...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Two Sides, Same Coin: How Political Beliefs Influence Language Use

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners read several magazine articles on the same topic written from different political perspectives, paying particular attention to the diction, syntax, and arguments presented in support the point of view expressed. They then select...