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Acid Rain: An Air Pollutant
Fifth graders participate in an experiment in which they examine the effects of acid rain on buildings. They discover how huge a problem acid rain is not only to structures but to the environment. They gather pictures of acid rain to...
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Air Pollution Over Where?
Students predict the movement of an air borne pollutant using their understanding of air currents. They determine which governments and/or communities should be contacted to be forewarned. They also explore the properties of their...
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Ozone Pollution: Smog Alert
Students simulate the development of smog. They discover how it forms naturally in nature. They read news articles about the ozone and pollution. They discuss what they can do to lower the pollution they generate.
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Air Pollution and Health
Young scholars use Internet research to become familiar with the environmental and health effects of the six criteria pollutants identified by the U.S. EPA, along with the greenhouse effect and carbon dioxide.
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Water Quality Monitoring
Pupils comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...
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Testing the Waters
Young scholars study the quality of water by running chemical tests on the water. First, they measure pH, temperature, phospates, and nitrates in tap (drinking) water and an outdoor water sample. Then they post and evaluate the results...
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Water Above the Ground
Pupils create a river drainage basin using a plastic tub, sand and a pitcher of water. They simulate the flow of water through the basin then add chocolate syrup to model what would happen if stormwater pollution entered the basin.
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Snow vs. Water
Students fill three cups with snow. They record the height of snow in each cup, and allow the snow to melt. Students measure the height of the water in each glass or cup, and record their results on the worksheet. They answer questions...
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Freshwater Ecosystems Closing Lesson
Students create a commercial on how to care for fresh water. In this environmental science lesson, students write a script and use materials as props in the commercial. They present it in class and share comments and feedback.
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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.
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Pond Water Web
Students familiarize themselves with the common organisms that live in a pond and discover their importance in a balanced aquatic habitat as they create food webs. They also investigate how an environmental change affects the habitat as...
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Oceanic Absorption- Oceanic Sequestration
Students examine the different techniques that may be used to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In this ocean pollution instructional activity students divide into groups and complete a lab to see how the ocean holds carbon...
NOAA
Ocean Geologic Features
Sediment samples from the ocean bottoms tell scientists about climate change, pollution, and changes in erosion for the area. Groups of learners focus on sediments and their movement through water. During a hands-on activity, they...
SF Environment
Waste-Less Lunch
Is it possible to have a waste-less lunch? Can your class become leaders in conservation? Discuss the importance of reducing waste during lunch time with a fun activity that can be extended to everyday practices. First the class examines...
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Dissolved Oxygen Introduction
Students are shown how dissolved oxygen enters the water. They are taught the difference between a water sample that has been exposed to the air and one that has not. Students brainstorm what organisms need to survive. They use dissolved...
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On the Move
Students explore different pathways and consequences of pollutant transport via the weather and water cycles. They observe and record weather information and produce their own weather report for the class.
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Landscape Picture Map
Students explore pollution of water sources. In this ecology lesson, students define and identify natural resources. Students use map skills to locate local rivers and lakes used for recreation. Students brainstorm ways in which to keep...
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There's a Watershed in my Backyard!
Students explain what the term watershed is by creating a model. In this science, geography instructional activity, students demonstrate how the water moves in a watershed. Additionally, students learn about point source and nonpoint...
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Watershed Model
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.
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Who's Down the Well?
Students identify several sources of contaminants to groundwater. They discuss the movement of possible contaminants through that groundwater from outside sources. They describe how environmental engineers analyze contaminants to...
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Stream Watch
Students discuss why it is important to take care of streams, what is non-point source and point source pollution, what are some causes of pollution in streams, and what can we do to prevent some of these causes of pollution? They steam...
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The Lorax
Students read The Lorax and discuss how human actions can affect the environment. They conduct a simple experiment to see how much air pollution is in the air that they breathe.
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What is Happening to Our Water?
Students compare and contrast Wisconsin's water resources to that of Puerto Rico. They research books about islands, particularly the Puerto Rican islands. Student view illustrations of island ecology. They discuss the illustrations and...
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Is Your Water Clean?
Students compare water quality of different sources. They test water samples for odor, phosphates, pH, bacteria, and dissolved solids. they fill out a data table and answer questions about their findings.