Curated OER
The True Cost of Coffee
Young scholars examine the economic, health and environmental risks of being a one-crop country. They explain the risks of relying on one crop. They also identify the factors that resist change.
Curated OER
Sustainable Agriculture: Soils And Food Production
Ninth graders recognize differences in soil quality from one area to another. They describe the importance of organic matter in soil health and suggest ideas that help provide adequate food supplies for the world. The interview a person...
Kenan Fellows
Ready, Set, Save on Solar Energy Technology!
Does your class have a bright future in the solar energy industry? Science scholars take an in-depth look at what's new in solar technology. After completing research into the solar industry, participants create and market a product in...
Curated OER
Food Without Oil
Students discuss the oil crisis and how it affects the food they eat. In this food production lesson plan, students look at the foods sold in their grocery store and imagine which would leave if there was no oil to ship the food. They...
California Academy of Science
Rapid Brainstorming: How Can We Improve Our Global Food System?
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...
Curated OER
They're Tilling that Field Behind the Mall
Unfortunately, the article for which this resource was written is not available. You can, however, find another current document on agriculture and urban development for your class to read together, and then still follow the suggested...
Carnegie Mellon University
Consumer Preferences in Lighting
What is a watt? This tongue-twisting, mind-bending question and others are answered through this instructional activity on the different lighting options available. With the support of a PowerPoint, teach your physical science class...
Curated OER
Indoor Gardening by Building a Simple Hydroponics
Students investigate the use of hydroponic gardening on the world food supply. In this hydroponic gardening lesson, students make a garden out of a soda bottle, grow a cilantro plant, and compare hydroponics with regular gardening using...
Curated OER
The True Cost of Coffee
Students examine the economic, health, and environmental risks of a one-crop economy in the developing world. They explain how or why it can be challenging for people of one culture to understand the lifestyle of a different society.
Curated OER
Honduras Finding the Top Bananas
Eighth graders complete an online scavenger hunt about banana cultivation before they visit a grocery store to examine banana products. They investigate "certified" means in relation to banana production and read the "Rainforest Alliance...
Curated OER
Is My Business Your Business?
Students examine how businesses practice sound waste management. They discuss how to plan a business, identify how to make the least impact on the environment in planning a Kool-Aid stand, and complete Business Costs Worksheets for the...
Curated OER
Aquaculture Productions Systems Quiz
In this aquaculture system worksheet, students complete 14 true or false and fill in the blanks questions. They rank 4 systems in order of intensity.
Curated OER
Filling Up
In this filling up worksheet, students calculate the E85 per gasoline-gallon equivalent price to the E85 price per gallon to complete a chart of "alternative fuel". They use the data along with the price per gallon of gasoline to plot...
Curated OER
Running on Renewables
Students investigate the costs and benefits of switching their school to sustainable technology energy production. They use software called HOMER developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab to do the cost/ benefit analysis. They then...
Curated OER
Killer Wrapper
Students examine the importance of food safety and the impact it has on their lives. In this health lesson students complete an oral report on food poisoning and design a low cost "safe" packing material for bread.
Curated OER
Canine Companions
Students identify the responsibilities of being a dog owner. In this animal welfare lesson, students list ten important items that a dog needs to live and visit a pet store to calculate the total cost of the items. Students visit a local...
Curated OER
Biodiesel Demand Could Destroy World's Forests
In this global issues worksheet, students read a 1-page article about biodiesel demand then write PPC articles that address the costs of biodiesel use.
Curated OER
Rockets on a Shoestring Budgut
Learners work together to create rockets on a budget. They discover the limitations that real engineers face when designing and testing their products. They discuss their findings to complete the lesson.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Aquifer in a Cup
Young scientists create their very own aquifers in this science lesson on ground water. After learning about how some people get their drinking water from underground wells, young learners use sand, modeling clay, and aquarium rocks to...
National Energy Education Development Project
Exploring Nuclear Energy
Every 18–24 months, nuclear power plants shut down to remove their used uranium fuel, a radioactive waste. Show learners how energy is made and used around the world and then focus on the United States' usage. Viewers then specifically...
Beyond Benign
Daphnia Bioassay LD50
De-icing materials may have a harmful effect on our environment; have your class perform an experiment to test the nature of these effects. Scholars monitor the survival rate of a sample of daphnia as the concentration of a de-icing...
Curated OER
Chocolate Fever
Students study plants in the rainforest. They complete a variety of activities surrounding the subject of chocolate. They create new candy bars, invent learning games and write poetry--all focusing on chocolate.
Curated OER
Oil Crisis: Get Into the Game
Students participate in activities to develop an understanding of the world oil crisis. In this oil crisis lesson, students read online articles about the oil shortage. They attempt to develop a solution to problem and to take action....
Curated OER
Peanut Butter Broccoli - Creating New Produce Through Genetic Selection
Fifth graders understand that traits are inherited and change over time. In this physical traits lesson, 5th graders compare produce items for similar traits. Students create large graphs to show their results. Students discuss genetic...