Earth/Environmental Science

Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.

Objective 1.06. Identify and evaluate a range of possible solutions to earth and environmental issues at the local, national, and global level including considerations of:

Interdependent human and natural systems.

Diverse perspectives.

Short and long range impacts.

Economic development, environmental quality and sustainability.

Opportunities for and consequences of personal decisions.

Risks and benefits of technological advances.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

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.; By Michele Kloda.

General resources

Find additional resources for teaching Science — Grades 9–12.

Aligned lesson plans

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 Mark Clinkscales and Carrie Palmer.

Resources on the web

Wildlife conflicts: In this lesson, students learn about the conflicts relating to humans and wildlife in prairie habitats. Students perform some of the research, evaluation, and decision-making functions necessary to understand and resolve such conflicts. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

What's wrong with the oceans? Can photography help?: In this lesson from Xpeditions, students will research environmental problems facing the world's oceans and will think about how the art of photography can help solve these problems. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Understanding wilderness: In this lesson, students will discuss the concept of wilderness and the role that wilderness preservation has played throughout American history. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Sound the alarm: Can frogs really tell us what's wrong?: 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); 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

Save the moonflowers: Students learn about botanical artist Margaret Mee and her impact on the preservation of rare flowers in the rainforests, including the moonflower. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Council on Economic Education

Regional layers: Low-tech Geographic Information System (GIS): This activity is designed to have students explore the physical characteristics of a hypothetical region through the use of a low-tech version of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map-overlay analysis. Students will form conclusions about the kinds of... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

The pros and cons of artificial reefs: This lesson asks students to consider whether artificial reefs are good for marine ecosystems. Students will look at pictures of artificial reefs and read articles describing the pros and cons of these structures. They will conclude by writing paragraphs explaining... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Planning for a city's future: Students work in groups to pretend they are consultants who have been hired by the city government. As consultants they will investigate the city's history and geography and report on what significant historical and geographical information the present city... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

The Nile in crisis: This lesson plan asks students to examine the current water situation in the Nile River region, focusing on the Blue Nile and the Egyptian Nile. Students investigate ways in which the damming of the Nile has changed this river significantly from the way it... (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

Managing the Everglades ecosystem: This lesson uses the Internet to explore the Everglades ecosystem using the resources on the Everglades National Park website. It uses the Internet to provide students with experiences that they may not be able to acquire firsthand. The activities are based... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

If you hear a hoot, then this site is kaput: In this EconomicsMinute, students will learn about which species are covered under the 1973 Endangered Species Act, the different organizations and their philosophies on how to protect these species, and how each group's policies are driven by self interest... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Council on Economic Education

Human impacts in the African rainforest: What we can do: This lesson asks students to examine the human impacts that conservationist Michael Fay noticed on his Congo Trek as well as the areas that are so far free from human impacts. Students will write recommendations to the region's governments and businesses,... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: 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); Provided by: 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); Provided by: 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); Provided by: 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... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

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); Provided by: National Geographic

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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education