AP Test Prep
College Board

2013 AP® Environmental Science Free-Response Questions

For Students 10th - 12th
While well intentioned, human intervention sometimes has negative effects. Learners explore this and other environmental topics as they respond to four free response exam questions. Topics span from the implementation of bioelectric cars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the effects of running water on erosion. They examine how the soil on the playground is affected by erosion and determine how the placement of trees and shrubs changes the path of erosion. In their science journals,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution Experiments

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders conduct experiments in simulated water pollution using a box of items to hold "pollutants"and an aquarium, representing a waterway. They observe how "rain" from a watering can poured into the box washes the pollutants into...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 2: Timber Harvesting Methods and Logging Methods

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Whereas very few learners study this topic, this lesson plan is written well! An organized and detailed teaching outline explains thinning, clearcutting, seed tree, and shelterwood methods of harvesting timber. Beautiful diagrams can be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wonderful Wetlands

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a model of Utah wetlands using clay, sponges and soil. They identify the value the wetlands have to plants and animals. They simulate rainfall to observe how wetlands help filter silt and pollutants from the water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study what erosion is, what causes it, and ways to slow its progress. They complete an experiment that depicts soil moving down a slope as water is poured on it to show how moving water erodes land. Next, they observe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Best Management Practices for Water Quality

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine best management practices for water quality.  In this water quality instructional activity, 4th graders explore unused land to identify areas of runoff, erosion, and effects of water flow.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water: Naturally Cleaned

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use stream trays covered in different types of rocks or soil to investigate infiltrates and runoff. In this water pollution lesson, students work in groups with stream trays that have different substrates. They write a paragraph...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Protect Your Streams, Protect Your Mountains

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars build and experiment with a watershed to understand the effects of pollution. In this movement of water lesson, students work in groups creating rock formations and change the viscosity of the liquids falling down the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salt Marsh in a Pan

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars create a model of a salt marsh to discover the impact of pollution and human activities on water-based habitats including bays and the ocean. They recognize the relationship between natural and developed areas. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe and record what happens when household products are added to a tank of water to depict water pollution. They brainstorm ideas of how to clean the contaminate out of the water before watching demonstrations of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Captain And Lake Wilmar

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the ecosystem of Lake Wilmar through three coordinated performance tasks. They first investigate the effects of pH on freshwater animals by comparing the zooplankton counts from three different areas. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine factors affecting water quality. They test water in a local body of water to determine its quality. They collect data and continue monitoring the water monthly. They assess water quality in the home and on the farm.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stream Ecology In Wisconsin and Puerto Rico

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the different types of water and explain in what proportions they exist on Earth. They identify and correctly label the parts of the water cycle and how these parts interact with each other. Students identify the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine what contaminated water looks like, and how it becomes polluted. They examine a teacher demonstration of water is not polluted but does contain rocks and other things that do need to be cleaned out before drinking...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mud in the Water

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate erosion. In this erosion lesson, 6th graders explore how farming changes the environment. Students construct an erosion model and research ways to protect the soil from excess mud generated by farming.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case Study - An Ecotour

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars plan an ecotour of the Australian rainforest. They prepare fact sheets about animals, create a mural, prepare a advertising brochure and a guided tour of the rainforest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mud in the Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners build a soil erosion model to study the importance of soil conservation. They investigate how land forms from both constructive and destructive forces.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WHO CARES FOR THE LAND?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the importance of natural resources. They are given copies of the story, "Who Cares For The Land," and students follow along as the teacher reads it. Students identify the key points in the story. (Soil, water and air...
Interactive
Curated OER

Tree Inventory and Map Project

For Students 5th - 8th
In this tree inventory and map project worksheet, students follow the directions on how to take inventories of trees and create a map from it. Students follow 4 sets of directions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing in mud puddles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the effects of rainfall on different surfaces and discuss water pollution. They review the water cycle and the uses of water in daily lifestyles. Students discuss the effects of soil run off in streams and rivers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Model

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners view a presentation of water and land and how we need to protect our water resources. In this water lesson plan, students discuss how we rely on water, and complete activities in all subjects related to water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mangrove Ecology and Adaptations

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create a plant or animal that would be well adapted to a habitat they selected. They first learn about Mangroves and their specific adaptations that help them survive in their habitat.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are introduced to the important topic of renewable, and non-renewable, resources. They are expected to be able to correctly categorize different types of resources as renewable or non-renewable. Another emphasis of this...