Earth/Environmental Science

Who has seen the wind? Harnessing alternative energy

In this lesson plan, students conduct a series of investigations in order to understand issues surrounding the production of energy from wind, informed by the video "Roping the Wind in Texas" on the Powering a Nation website. Activities include discussing a video about the siting of a wind farm in Texas; conducting calculations based on local wind data; and using Google Earth, windNavigator software, and hands-on investigations to assess the potential for producing wind energy in the students' local area.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Linda Schmalbeck.

Rising tides: Climate change and the sea

This lesson plan uses videos, NASA visualizations, and digital map projections to help students understand the connection between climate change and sea level rise. The lesson draws on the "Climate Refugees" story on the Powering a Nation website, and includes independent research and inquiry activities that allow students to explore sea level changes in North Carolina and around the world.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Linda Schmalbeck.

A case study of "A Civil Action"

In Bringing current science into the classroom, page 3

This is a short, culminating activity that can be used to assess your students' understanding of the steps needed to determine if a water source is contaminated and how it got that way, and to suggest possible methods of cleanup or remediation. Students review a portion of the film “A Civil Action” and identify the problem and the people involved. Students then take the role of environmental scientist and apply their knowledge of water and hazardous waste contamination to create a plan to help lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, try the case.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)

By Michele Kloda and Dana Haine.

Resources on the web

Tornadoes and technology

In this lesson, students will learn about how tornadoes are formed, and where and when they are most likely to occur. They will then study the current research on tornadoes and how scientists are trying to predict them. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

The scientific method in undersea archaeology

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss how the scientific method was used in studies of the Black Sea. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

The science of the deep sea

This lesson will teach students about conducting science experiments and using rigorous scientific principles. They should learn about the ways in which scientific investigation is used in the “real world.” (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Natural resources extraction

This Xpeditions lesson encourages students to think about where the natural resources we use come from and the processes by which these resources are extracted. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Layers of the Grand Canyon

In this Xpeditions lesson, after learning the basics of how the Grand Canyon was formed, students investigate the canyon's layers and learn about the geologic time periods when they were deposited. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

The fish trade

The purpose of this lesson is to examine the interdependence of global trade in the context of the economic and social aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. When studying global interdependence within a science literacy context the purpose is not to promote... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Crane cam: Intended and unintended effects of conservation efforts

In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the intended and unintended consequences of human environmental intervention. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Burrowing owls

This Science NetLinks lesson gives students an example of how human activities impacted a specific community of Burrowing Owls. This lesson uses the example of the Burrowing Owl to illustrate how human activities can control the fate of a species. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Bird populations

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students study bird migratory patterns and the methods that researchers use to study them. Students are introduced to the science behind the study of bird movements and how scientists discern patterns and changes in bird populations. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science