Earth/Environmental Science

StreamWatch

This lesson is intended as a long term project to determine the overall health of a stream or wetland. Students identify seasonal changes that occur within the ecosystem, ideally with a minimum of bimonthly or monthly monitoring.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By B. Carl Rush.

Technology and stress on the environment

Students will build a bubble-powered rocket and “blast it off.” Students will examine the stress to their immediate environment, alternative choices, and the cost of repairing the damage. They will list other types of technology and possible environmental stress.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Geol 130.

Lesson plans on the web

Abrupt climate change

This Science NetLinks lesson focuses on a current issue in science in order to help students understand the process by which scientific knowledge is developed and refined. In this lesson, students will be introduced to some recent ideas about abrupt climate change. This will give them a glimpse into how scientific theories are formed and refined by new data. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

The best hope for northern right whales

Students research current and proposed methods of assisting the recovery of northern right whale populations. Students conduct Internet research to investigate the best strategies to help save right whales. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

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)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Blowing in the wind

In this lesson, students determine the feasibility of wind generation in different areas of the United States and examine the costs and benefits of wind energy. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Council on Economic Education

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)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Changing nature's course: A look at the Kissimmee River

Humans modify the natural environment on many scales. They divert a tiny stream to irrigate a field and they impound the Colorado River behind Hoover Dam. In this lesson, students will learn about a major event in which humans modified the physical environment in the United States. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

Climate and CO₂: Analyzing their relationship

In this lesson, students speculate about the future of world climate if the greenhouse effect increases. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

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)

Provider: National Geographic

Eco-terrorism in Vail, CO

Students will discuss the different viewpoints in the eco-terrorism case in Vail, CO in 1998. They will discuss personal and political decisions behind violent protest. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science and Social Studies)

Provider: National Council on Economic Education

The economics of income which “wood” you choose?

Students follow weblinks and listen to video describing the connection between national development and use of natural materials. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Computer Technology Skills, Science, and Social Studies)

Provider: National Council on Economic Education

Energy: The U.S. in crisis?

Students will evaluate economic, political, and social impacts that have led California to its near critical energy situation. This lesson focuses on how decisions are made on many levels and how those decisions involve trade-offs of economic costs and social values. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Fallout from Chornobyl

Students should recognize that changes to the environment in one place can often affect other, distant places. To introduce and reinforce this concept, students will read and analyze several articles describing consequences of the 1986 explosion and fire at a nuclear power plant in Chornobyl, Ukraine. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: 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. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

The Frog Squad: Atrazine and frog populations

In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about the ways National Geographic Emerging Explorer Tyrone Hayes uses a combination of laboratory and field study to learn about frogs' developmental changes as they relate to chemical contamination of water. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

Gold: From the mine to you

This activity asks students to focus on gold and the process that takes it from miners to jewelers. By learning about this process, students will be encouraged to think about the individuals behind the production process and the environmental and human impacts associated with producing their belongings. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

Great Barrier Reef

This lesson will help students understand the environmental importance of coral reefs and the threats to reefs' conservation. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

The great energy debate

This lesson explores the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States. Students will research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implications. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

The Great Plains: A harsh welcome to settlers

Students consider the experiences of settlers on the American Great Plains in the late 1800s and explore the ways in which humans use technology to overcome obstacles in the physical environment. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provider: National Geographic