Chemistry

In this lesson, students examine the causes and effects of air pollution, as well as ways in which various industries and government organizations are aiming to control it. Students first use the internet to answer a series of questions about air pollution and to compile a list of related websites, and then use these websites to create informative posters about air pollution topics.

Students study lichens as indicators of air quality. They learn to use GPS units, track their lichen research using scientific data collection methods, and determine the air quality of a region based on their findings. This lesson is best suited for grades 6-8 and adheres to National Science Education Standards.

Students engage in experiment activities, which illustrate that air is made of matter, does take up space, and is very important to our health. This lesson contains activities for a variety of grade levels. This lesson is best suited for grades K-5 and adheres to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards.

What's Up in the Environment has produced three long-term projects focusing on water issues: Contaminated Water, Watersheds, and Wetlands. Each project provides step-by-step instructions and resources for educators to get their students involved in local water issues.

In this lesson for grades 9-12, students work in teams to design a heat- and water-conserving “green roof” of plant material for an urban apartment building. They address economic and community considerations of green roof design.

Students will:
Study design decisions that affect energy transfer between a building and the outside environment.
Identify and consider decisions involved in improving a building’s energy profile.
Analyze economic and community aspects of green roof options.

Coastal resources are under constant threat from natural processes and human activities. News media regularly feature stories of damage to coral reefs, estuaries, fisheries and other resources caused by storms, ship groundings, oil spills, chemical releases, and many other events. Modern coastal resource management includes using science and technology to protect and restore coastal resources affected by such events. These efforts can include removing pollutants and invasive species, repairing damaged habitats, restoring natural ecosystem processes such as water flow, and re-introducing native organisms.

By examining the case of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown in 1986, students study the adverse effects of high doses of radiation on biological systems.

This lesson focuses on how engineers use various techniques to provide solutions to oil spills or other threats to natural water resources. Students work in teams to analyze an "oil spill" in the classroom, then design, build and test a system to first contain and then remove the oil from the water.

Discuss the oil spill with your students using this fact sheet. The Subsea Oil Recovery System is a large structure that can be placed over the largest leak source in the Transocean Deepwater Horizon Rig. The system is designed to collect hydrocarbons from the well and pump them to a tanker at the surface, where they will be stored and safely shipped ashore.

The PBS Teachers STEM Education Resource Center offers television and online content to help students explore new ideas and new worlds related to STEM. The site provides nearly 4,000 science, technology, engineering and math resources as well as access to STEM education news, video collections, professional development opportunities and additional STEM resource providers.