Curated OER
Straining out the Dirt
Students design and construct a water filter using activated carbon, cotton and other materials to remove chocolate powder from water. They test and record their observations, and complete a KWL chart.
Curated OER
Wide Open Spaces
Students examine the problem of groundwater pollution. In groups, they develop a solution to solve the problem of a local polluted water source. They also practice measuring the space between sediment particles and the rate of water flow.
Curated OER
Still Waters
Pupils construct a still to turn seawater into drinking water. They estimate the cost of distilling it. They investigate ways to make the conversion more efficient. They track the source of their home drinking water and make a map of its...
Curated OER
Viruses
A fliud exchange activity using pipettes/droppers to exchange fluids with at least 3 people. your learners are advised not to spill any liquid. Droppers are collected in a large beaker, and students return to desks while holding tubes....
Curated OER
Cholera and the Scientific Method
Five individuals in the class are "infected" with cholera! The rest of the class serves as investigators to discover the source of the outbreak. They test drinking fountains around campus for contamination. You, of course, will secretly...
Curated OER
The Numbers Game
Students examine how to calculate the part-per-million and part-per-billion units used to measure contaminant concentrations in the environment. They calculate ratios, take a quiz, analyze a sample chemical spill, and determine if...
Curated OER
Comparative Stream Quality
Young scholars examine water quality on a nearby stream. They collect water samples and test for various factors, including any contamination from the treatment plant, and present their information in a Powerpoint presentation.
Curated OER
Is It Safe To Go In?
Students examine acceptable levels of toxins in swimming areas. Working in groups of four, students dilute a salt or sugar solution to 1 part per 1,000,000 (ppm) solution. Students taste test their diluted liquids and record at which...
Curated OER
Landfill Leachate
Students become aware that everything we do on and to the surface of the earth affects our water.
Curated OER
The Nitty Gritty-The Source and What To Do
In this environmental contaminants worksheet, students read about a scenario where children were exposed to lead from an old painted bench at a park. Students answer 5 questions about the investigation and what should be done to protect...
Curated OER
How Clean Is Our Water?
Students examine samples of water to determine its cleanliness. They visit a waste treatment plant and/or reservoir. Students explore what protects the water supply from contamination by chemical or organize pollution. They trace the...
Teach Engineering
Chromatography Lab
Groups use alcohol and chromatography paper to separate the color components of black ink. The purpose of the activity is to allow the class to become aware that mixtures exist in hidden places.
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Fertilizer Frenzy
Ninth graders design and conduct an experiment. They evaluate other's experiments. Students describe relationships between biological systems and the environmental contaminants. They work as a team to solve a problem.
Calvin Crest Outdoor School
Survival
Equip young campers with important survival knowledge with a set of engaging lessons. Teammates work together to complete three outdoor activities, which include building a shelter, starting a campfire, and finding directions in the...
Curated OER
Tracking Pollution - A Hazardous Whodunit
Students read a story problem about the issue of hazardous waste and pollution in a fictional town. In groups, they create a topographical map and predict how the water might flow and determine the place of contamination. To end the...
Curated OER
Nutrition: It's In Your Hands
Fourth graders use this lesson to focus on their health, nutrition and the state of the environment. In groups, they examine the various types of land, water and air pollutants and compare and contrast a food chain with and without a...
Curated OER
Rainbow Lab
In this mixtures worksheet, students experiment with different amounts of solutes and solvents to make solutions. They observe color changes and look for chemical and physical changes in the test tubes. Students answer 5 questions and...
NOAA
Why Should I Care?: Show How Increased Carbon Dioxide Makes the Ocean More Acidic
How does a change in pH affect the ocean ecosystem? Scholars explore the idea by making an acid-base indicator in part seven of the 10-installment Discover Your Changing World series. First, they explore impacts of carbon dioxide in...
Curated OER
Investigate Factors Affecting Nitrates in Groundwater
Students participate in an experiment in which they investigate the factors affecting the levels of nitrates in groundwater. Using examples, they explain the nitrogen cycle and identify the sources of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. ...
Curated OER
"Soil Hide and Seek"
Students comprehend the basics of soil testing. They relate the use of grids and plotting to soil samples. Students comprehend how contaminants flow through soil. They discuss factors such as: slope of the pan, time, and the amount of...
Curated OER
Is There Life Before 121?
Students observe microbial growth in the lab. In this biology lesson plan, students determine the conditions suitable for bacterial growth. They explain the methods of sterilization and bioburden testing.
Curated OER
ISOLATION OF DNA FROM ONION
Students perform a laboratory exercise designed to show how DNA can easily be extracted from onion cells. They conduct an optional test for the presence of DNA using standard lab equipment.
Curated OER
Health: Food Borne Illnesses
Students discover how to inhibit food borne illnesses by practicing safe food-handling techniques. Among topics they examine are the advantages and disadvantages of using wooden or plastic cutting boards. After studying for the test,...
Curated OER
How Full is Full?
Young scholars examine porosity and permeability and relate these concepts to groundwater flow. They use simple materials to conduct a porosity experiment and use the information to understand how environmental engineers decide on the...