Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Two: Why is Biodiversity Important?
Explore soil, genetic traits, natural resources, and pollution in a series of lessons that focus on biodiversity. Kids complete experiments to learn more about the importance of varied genes and organisms in an ecosystem.
Curated OER
High School EcoHouse Curriculum
How has the level of carbon dioxide changed over recent years, and what is contributing it? Groups work together to research and present their findings in a creative way. Also built into the lesson is a visit to a sustainable house, but...
Curated OER
Water Pollution
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...
Curated OER
Whose Water Is It?
Students role-play as San Francisco residents in 1908 who support or oppose the building of a dam in Yosemite National Park. They create posters and write letters to representatives defending their positions.
Curated OER
Treasures in Jeopardy
Students study how coral reefs can be protected from humans and their activities. In this conservation activity students explain the benefits of coral reefs and what humans can do to help protect them.
Curated OER
Shedding Light on Watersheds
Students discuss what a watershed is, complete online activities showing them how to take care of a watershed, and create a model of a watershed that they experiment with to see what happens when it is disrupted by civilization.
Curated OER
Waste Not Want Not
Students are introduced to the need to save natural resources. Through inquiry, hands-on activities, and problem solving, students increase their understanding of solid waste materials and the need to reduce, recycle, and reuse.
Curated OER
Water World
Students explore the various steps of the water cycle. They identify the three steps in the water cycle and how they are related. Students describe three ways to conserve water. Students explore the origin of the water source that...
Curated OER
Save a Drop for Me
Students discuss the meaning of philanthropy and how it applies to people caring about the water supply. In this water conservation lesson, students explore possible water conservation activities and select a project. Students will...
Cornell University
Chemical Reactions
Investigate the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab exploration. Individuals combine materials to initiate chemical reactions. They monitor for signs of reactions and measure the masses before and after the reactions for...
Institute for Applied Ecology
From Salmonberry to Sagebrush - Exploring Oregon’s Native Plants
Take a deep dive into Oregon's ecosystems, plants, and changes from the past to the future. Many hands-on activities in an environmental science unit delight scholars, including creating a field guide for a local park. The in-depth study...
Columbus City Schools
The Magic of Energy: A Disappearing Act?
Using the 5E method for teaching about kinetic energy, potential energy, and conservation of energy, this two-week unit with many videos and possible extensions is sure to keep pupils engaged as they are learning.
Beyond Benign
Ecological Footprint
How does your lifestyle measure up in terms of your ecological footprint? Young ecologists examine their impact on the planet using an insightful online calculator. A short quiz asks users to rank the size of their homes, their energy...
Curated OER
Conservation in Costa Rica
Students brainstorm what they do that requires land use and use a worksheet to calculate their footprint (the total area of land and water required to produce all the resources they consume). They then compare their footprints to each...
Curated OER
Photos from the Past
Young scholars observe and interpret historic photographs of water in New Mexico. They record observations, draw inferences, and compare water in New Mexico's past with water today. They create a class book or exhibition of the...
Curated OER
Where Has All the Water Gone?
Students identify how we use water everyday. They determine the amount of water used in different activities. They finally explain why the water supply is limited and how we can conserve water.
Curated OER
Water World Story
Fourth graders write a story about how a drop of water may have traveled to school. They design a presentation on the water cycle.
Curated OER
Water: The Liquid of Life
Sixth graders complete a lesson plan on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the lesson plan with a...
Curated OER
Conservation and Environmental Protection
Students brainstorm a list of environments and animals from around the world that need protection. They then design and create a slogan about an animal or environment and an environmental protection poster.
Curated OER
Kids for Conservation Lesson 1
Third graders observe various demonstrations dealing with the water on our earth, such as a comparison of the amount of salt water and fresh water on earth, then participate in a role playing activity in which they become a molecule of...
Curated OER
Water Management in Florida
Students discuss water management. They examine the water management districts in their area. They complete an experiment in which they role-play a water management manager.
Curated OER
What is Life Without Water?
Pupils differentiate between how they use water in response to a need and how they use water for pleasure. They read books about water, participate in class discussion and illustrate their observations.
Curated OER
Ways We Use Water
Fourth graders write a persuasive paper after a demonstration about the properties of water and how they work. The lesson also uses a mind map to outline the paper.
Curated OER
Water Quality
In this unit of lessons, 2nd graders examine the water quality of the water on the planet. They discover how much water is on the planet and how to conserve their water usage.