Scholars investigate an issue associated with food systems and design their own solutions. Working collaboratively, they follow each step in the design process to complete the 10th lesson of the 13-part Our Hungry Planet series.

Scholars approach a problem trying to plan a meal for a class party. They learn about the restrictions and must decide what information they need to plan the meal. The first instructional activity in a 13-part unit on Our Hungry Planet...

Rocks and minerals are great on their own, but they also turn into some pretty amazing stuff! An online lesson explains the different types of materials we get from rocks and minerals, including glass, plastic, and coins. An embedded...

A growing demand for sustainable food systems comes from schools and even some cities. So what are some solutions? Scholars consider four different ways to approach sustainable food solutions and list the pros and cons of each. The fifth...

In 2018, the average fast food burger cost $2.64 while a salad averaged $4.14. Does the price difference matter to public health? Scholars consider that question and others in a brainstorming session about improving our global food...

Approximately 50 percent of people in the world who are chronically hungry work in agriculture. While it seems counter-intuitive, the farther you live from a farm, the more food options are available. Scholars explore concepts related to...

Students investigate the health hazards of modern agriculture and how we can choose better food options.  In this healthy eating lesson, students identify different indigenous people in photographs and discuss what they might eat....

Engage your class in a discussion about humane treatment of animals by recognizing the basic rights of all races, religions, classes, etc. Have volunteers stand on a milk crate without shoes until they become uncomfortable as an example...

Middle schoolers examine the concept of food mapping . For this agriculture lesson, students explore food and agriculture systems in the United States in the past and today. Middle schoolers complete food mapping activities.

Students role-play coyotes looking for natural resources.  In this natural resources activity, students examine the relationship between animal life and the environment.  Students play a game that demonstrates how natural...

Students explore environments by analyzing food chains. In this biome identification lesson, students define a list of environmental vocabulary terms such as tundra, rain-forest and desert. Students create a fictional self sustainable...

Young scholars, working in teams, role-play as advertising agents creating ad campaigns for a planet in the solar system. They design commercials for video, Hyperstudio, or Web pages. The activity includes research, all the production...

Learners discover methods that can save the planet by recycling.  For this sustainable planet lesson, students read The Berenstein Bears Don't Pollute Anymore, and practice memorizing the 3 R's.  Learners write commitment...

Middle schoolers conduct an investigation. In this energy conservation lesson, students observe and make predictions about fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs. Working in groups, middle schoolers conduct an investigation to...

Students explore nature by conducting botany experiments. In this plant life instructional activity, students define the necessary resources for a plant to thrive on our planet while defining scientific vocabulary terms. Students utilize...

Young scholars examine various agriculture careers, both direct and indirect, related to crop production and distribution. In this food production lesson, students role play the processing chain in which crops move from producer to...

Fifth graders examine their use of energy over a certain time period. They come up with a plan to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. Groups of learners complete a chart with three columns; energy-using events, the form...

Students discuss the foods they eat and why they eat them. In this nutrition lesson, students determine what foods people might eat in Cyprus and create a traditional meal tasting five traditional recipes of Cyprus set up like...

Students investigate the natural resources on earth by reading a book in class.  For this environmental lesson, students read select pages from the book Alaska by Rebecca Stefoff and discuss their feelings on the material. ...

Fifth graders research rainforest destruction. In this geography and ecology lesson, 5th graders work as a group to research the effects of logging, farming, and mining on the rainforest. Students gather and display data and information...

Introduce your class to the steps that occur in the manufacturing of parts, the assembly, and the testing of a Mars rover. Pupils learn about fabrication techniques and tolerances in the manufacturing process. 

Sixth graders investigate the ways in which human beings impact the environment and ecology through the calculation of their own ecological footprint, discussion questions pertaining to biodiversity and potential imbalance hazards, and...

Middle schoolers investigate the greenhouse effect and why it happens.