Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Get To the Core!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars practice analyzing ice core samples to discover climate changes. Using the samples, they identify and graph the gas amounts. They use these numbers to determine their effect on global warming. In pairs, they complete a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Change

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore environmental care by researching the impact of human beings on our planet. In this climate change lesson, students utilize the Internet to read informational text about climate change and the effect it will have on our...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes you Hot?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers manipulate different variables in a model and make inferences about the temperature on Earth.  In this heat lesson students calculate the blackbody radiation of an object at a certain temperature. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air: Fuel For Thought

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers consider the impact of vehicle use in their family and brainstorm viable alternatives to this use. They calculate the total emissions for their family cars during the week, then compare those totals with Hybrid car totals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stomata: Microscopic Openings that Let Plants Breathe

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students participate in a lab experiment to observe and measure the opening and closing of stomata. They focus on photoperiod, locate and identify stomata on a leaf and explain the role of stomata in the daily functioning of a plant.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Eccentricity

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners assess their own energy use to help develop an awareness of the different types of natural resources affected by consumers. Their calculations show them how much they are personally impacting the Earth. Very meaningful and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Conservation

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Learners explore the topic of energy conservation. They identify energy sources, complete a chart and a questionnaire, and write two paragraphs summarizing the lesson information and ways to conserve energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phytoplankton and Ocean Color

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify function of phytoplankton in the biospere by conducting experiments and simulations and reading for information. They detect the presence of phytoplankton in bodies of water by examining ocean in satellite images...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Iron Fertilization - Pumping Iron

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The theory that adding iron to ocean water may increase phytoplankton ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is examined. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is monitoring conditions off the California coast to...
Lesson Plan
Michigan State University

What is IPM?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners view a plastic cockroach, mouse, or picture of a pest and discuss if they belong inside the house or school. They discuss what a pest is and brainstorm what makes it a pest and ways to get rid of them. They then discover dangers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Alternative Energy Sources

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students research the amount and kinds of energy that are produced and consumed in the United States, including the limitations of this kind of consumption. They research and create a display to teach classmates about a specific...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mission Planning: Earth/Mars Comparisons

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students compare and contrast conditions on Mars to those on our own planet, specifically, their local or regional environments. The physical characteristics, the atmosphere, and other astronomical data is considered.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alaska the 'Poster State" For Climate Concerns

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students read an article on Alaska and its climate concerns.  In this research instructional activity students create a poster that contrasts Alaska then and now that pertains to climate change. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate change in Canada

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students investigate the impact of human activity on the environment.  In this secondary math/science lesson, students analyze and interpret information from data and graphs as they investigate trends in climate change and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carbon Dioxide Heats It Up

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners design an investigation to test whether vegetation in an area helps regulate the ambient air temperature. They make comparisons between the investigation and global changes in climate. In groups, they present their findings to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Pollution Word Search Activity

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students examine the issues surrounding air pollution. They discover how it affects peoples health and the government's regulations. They complete a word search activity to practice the vocabulary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Weather: Comparing Climate from Voyageur Times to Today

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare climates. In this weather lesson, 5th graders observe and record weather observations and discuss the impact of weather on people. Students also discuss the concept of global warming and determine how weather...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Annotated Example of Socratic Questioning: Climate: Global Warming

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and discuss short-term and longer-term global temperature data. They evaluate data from three sets of graphs and then participate in a structured whole class Socratic discussion on the possible causes of climate change.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Review For Weather Quiz 2

For Teachers 6th - 12th
In this science worksheet, students look at the information carefully in preparation for a formal assessment. The focus is upon defining different aspects of air masses.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organizational Patterns

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify organizational patterns in their tests. Individually, they list five major organizational patterns and write a definition of each one. Students, in groups, assign responsibilities and complete assignment sheets...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science - Earth's Atmosphere

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students build an understanding of the dynamics and composition of the atmosphere and its local and global processes influencing climate and air quality. They analyze global atmospheric changes including changes in CO2, CH4, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Images of Our Changing Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and explain that remote sensing can detect changes on the Earth's surface that occur over time, and name at least three: urbanization, deforestation, and succession. They select a global change issue to investigate and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Getting Hot out Here! Should I be concerned? (Climate Change)

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the effects of global warming. They examine the differences between weather and climate. After viewing a video, students summarize information on climate change and drought.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification of Clouds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view progressive slides of cloud formations and identify which type of cloud is shown as it forms. They estimate the cloud's height while viewing each image.