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Bringing current science into the classroom

Activities for middle and high school on groundwater, water quality, and environmental stewardship have students exploring current environmental research without leaving the classroom.

Format: series (multiple pages)

Bringing current science into the classroom

In Bringing current science into the classroom, page 1

How your students can experience current environmental research without leaving the classroom.

Format: article/best practice

By Michele Kloda.

Making connections for environmental education

How can you get students fired up about environmental education? Get them outside and get them involved in local issues through activism, service learning, and teaching others.

Format: article/best practice

By Carolyn Moser.

Superfund in science class

In Bringing current science into the classroom, page 2

Four Web-based activities let students identify Superfund sites, define hazardous waste, see how aquifers work, and explore cleanup solutions.

By Michele Kloda.

Letting students ask the questions -- and answering them

For this high school science teacher, learning science means doing science. A look at an inquiry-based earth and environmental science classroom.

Format: article/best practice

By Amy Anderson.

Tracking animals

Large groups of children are likely to scare off mammals, but they can learn to identify tracks to learn more about the animals that left them.

By Linda Dow.

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: (grade 9–12 Science)

By Michele Kloda.

Courses and causes

You don't need special skills, great physical abilities, or a lot of money to participate in environmental workshops — just the interest. Learning opportunities like those discussed in this article can invigorate your teaching, inspire your students, and get you involved in causes outside your school.

Format: article

By Linda Dow.

Learning from a tree

Observation of a single tree throughout the year can be the starting point for explorations of nature, life science, and environmental science.

By Linda Dow.

Bird watching made elementary

Observing and identifying birds can be a gateway to a variety of learning experiences. This primer will get you started birding.

By Linda Dow.

Experience North Carolina's state parks with EELEs

An EELE is an Environmental Education Learning Experience -- a site-specific program offered by the North Carolina state parks system. EELEs include pre-visit activities, on-site activities and post-visit activities, but they do not necessarily have to be used in conjunction with a group visit. Educators can attend EELE workshops to gain rich educational experiences that provide knowledge, insight, and immediate practical materials for use in the classroom.

Format: article

By Linda Dow.

Bloom's Taxonomy

Bloom's Taxonomy is a classification system developed in 1956 by education psychologist Benjamin Bloom to categorize intellectual skills and behavior important to learning. Bloom identified six cognitive levels: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis,...

Format: article

By Heather Coffey.

Hands-on biology

Hands-on science exploration clarifies difficult concepts and engages learners who have difficulty in more traditional classrooms. This article looks at an inquiry-based classroom that meets the needs of all of its students.

Format: article/best practice

By Waverly Harrell.

All about life

A primary curriculum based around life and environmental science draws on children's natural curiosity to teach reading, math, and more.

By Myra Erexson.

Learning to look at art

Strategies for helping students develop visual literacy in looking at paintings and other forms of visual art.

By Melissa Thibault.

Planning a successful (and educational) field trip

The world can be your classroom -- but ensuring that your field trip is a productive learning experience for students takes planning. This article helps you prepare your students, yourself, and others for a successful field trip.

Format: article

By Bobby Hobgood and Lesley Richardson.

Comics in the classroom

Graphic novels aren't just “literature lite”: they're a genre you can use to explore philosophy, history, human interactions, visual literacy, and more with soon-to-be adults in a high school English class.

Format: article

By Ross White.

Incorporating oral history into the K–12 curriculum

In Oral history in the classroom, page 3

Oral history techniques for use with students at all levels, from kindergarten through high school.

By Kathryn Walbert.

Resources on the web

Science Literature Database

Locate books to enhance your study of science topics using this database of titles and teaching ideas. (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Toshiba America Foundation

Designed to contribute to the quality of science and mathematics education in the United States, this organization awards teachers in grades K-6 and 7-12 grants for classroom projects. (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: Toshiba