Resource Library

A companion piece to the exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, this website contains accurate information on the history and science behind climate change, as well as solutions to help combat its effects. The website also includes a climate change blog and resources for both educators and kids.

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students explore the weather phenomena El Niño and La Niña. They learn about when and where these weather changes occur and about the effects they have on everything in their wake. The lesson is appropriate for grades 6-8 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

This lesson from National Geographic Xpeditions teaches students about conducting science experiments based on theories and using rigorous scientific principles. The lesson asks students to consider the theoriesand methods Robert Ballard may have used in some of his recent deep-seainvestigations. The activity is appropriate for grades 9-12 and adheresto National Geography Standards.

In this lesson plan from the New York Times Learning Network, students create experiments to learn more about the effects of oil spills and apply their findings to coastal communities in the gulf region. They also explore the economic impacts of the oil spill as well as the technological progress involved in stopping the leak.

Developed by Earth Day Network for for EE Week 2011, this lesson seeks to impart scientific and historical knowledge surrounding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in addition to other past spills. Students will examine how much oil was spilled into the Gulf and perform an assessment activity involving specific details about the reliance and risk of oil extraction from the ocean.

Ancient Waters: The Ocean and its Prehistoric Inhabitants and From Sails to Submarines: Human Exploration and the Ocean were developed by Earth Day Network for EE Week's 2011 theme: Ocean Connections.

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students become familiar with some of the latest discoveries in ocean research. Students complete their research by creating a "museum" exhibit about ocean exploration and by suggesting questions for future research. Appropriate for grades 3-5 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

In this lesson, students explore the historical and social significance of animals as cultural symbols in various countries around the world, as well as the impact that humans have made on the population and natural habitats of these animals.  This lesson is best suited for grades 6-12 and adheres to McRel Academic Content Standards.

Students revisit the April 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and compare the projected health, environmental, social and economic impacts to new scientific findings. They then create public service announcements educating the people of the region about these new findings.

These curricular materials and activities, developed by Water Partners International, are aligned with national education standards. Stand-alone lesson plans are part of larger units that cover a broad scope of subjects including English, science, and technology and social sciences like geography, civics and economics.